My Writing Routine

I am very grateful to the staff at Vocal for creating four new pages for the writers out there who want to discuss their craft, be critiqued, learn that there are others out there who are creating work that is remarkable, and to discuss how they do it. And how do we do it? I have written a little about the writing lives of the ones I have admired. Much of what I have taken for my routine comes from the advice read and heard online, from the biographies that I found and reviewed, and other teachers. Rarely – and I blame myself for this – I never spoke directly to writers to find out how they did it. I have received a few autographs at many readings and conferences, but I never found or made an opportunity to pick their brains about their work.

And I intend to correct this.

Here is my writing routine. I encourage you to contact me if you have something that I have missed and need to add to my list. And some of you might recognize your own method in my madness and have a few other pieces of advice (please share…and enjoy):

1. Wake up; wonder if I have to teach today and realize that I have such a free schedule that I can stare down something beyond my cellphone and the latest novel or book on my nightstand. I have to get to it.

2. Coffee! Usually, I will have a little coffee ready in a cafetiere on my stove with my special mix of coffee grounds, hot chocolate powder, nutmeg and cinnamon powder, and topped off with mint leaves (yeah, it isn’t something I would recommend making in the morning when you are groggy and tempted to go the bathroom first). Then, make sure that it does not boil over as you are staring at your phone. You will end up running to the kitchen and letting some of that precious brew sink into the elements. Have it steaming at your desk in a special mug only you know and love.

3. Running! Yes, as I have mentioned in another piece, I go running; my routine is in the morning when things are quiet, traffic is light, and no one is likely to think that you are a thief or robber trying to get away from the scene of the crime. Remember: you do not need to carry a cellphone or fanny pack when you are out for a run. You really don’t.

4. Look at my prompts. I am a member of Vocal+, and also Reedsy. With both of those pages available, I find it easy to pick the one I think will provide the more interesting distraction. Short stories only work with the latter; brain droppings, my narratives, and other effluvia end up here.

5. Wonder about my stationery. Yeah, I have listened to Stephen King’s advice about notebooks. What he does not understand is that many of us, of a certain generation, were told to always carry a pen and paper in case we had an idea worth saving (thank you, Ms. P; life was interesting pre-cellphone). I have plenty of notebooks that I cannot fill up after heading right to the laptop…and I cannot give them up. I still have plenty of memories and notes with great ideas in them and I know that can always draw from that well if necessary. A real temptation…sometimes.

6. Turn on computer (rather important). Stare hard at that white page on Microsoft Word. Start to tap away. Get up to at least 500 words a day…if possible. With short stories, essays, and articles, this works…and I am done for today (What?)

7. I do not let a 500-word-a-day limit take away my sense of humour. I am a writer who needs to find some laughs if I keep contributing to the same pages again and again without anything more to show for it than a few Top Stories and some kind comments. Laughter is better than medicine.

8. I never get resentful. Never. My job is to write and not worry about whether I am getting a reward for my efforts. Stats, a well-stuffed Wallet and comments are all pleasant; they are not the final story.

9. A long walk is always good in the afternoon or evening. Staring down a screen and a pile of notes tests my resolve. I am very fortunate to have guitars (acoustic and noisy), plenty of books, comix, music, and a limited pool of friends. The parks await my steps.

10. I make sure to write almost every day, as long as I am not spending all that time making lists... ;)

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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