I frequently get asked about my writing schedule. Do I write from 9-5 every day or do I stay up for two weeks straight until the novel is finished like they do in the movies. The truth is not as simple as either of those. So I've decided to include one day in the life of Alexander Mori to demonstrate a typical writing day. I call it: A Day In The Life Of Alexander Mori.
8:00a: Alarm goes off. I snooze.
8:09a: Alarm goes off again. I snooze again.
8:18a: Alarm goes off again. I debate snoozing again. Then I snooze again, just one more time.
8:27a: Alarm goes off and I get out of bed. Morning routine begins.
8:45a-9:15a: Coffee's brewing and I'm sitting at the breakfast table jotting notes that kept me up the night before so I don't forget anything important. I make a smoothie for breakfast and drink it while I reread that last few pages written the day before. Check Twitter.
9:16a-10:20a: First solid block of writing. I sit at my computer and write. My goal is to get at least 500 words down.
10:20a-10:30a: Wander around the kitchen wondering if I want a glass of milk or juice. I contemplate moving the operation into the living room where I can sit on the couch, though I'd have to deal with the animals.
10:31a-11:30a: I return to my first block of writing. Still gunning for my first 500 words of the day.
11:31a-noon: I make a sandwich and salad for lunch and eat while watching an episode of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. Check Twitter.
Noon-12:15p: Gather laundry that needs to be washed. Or unload the dishwasher. Or wash wine and beer glasses from the night before.
12:16p-12:45p: Begin second block of writing. A new 500 word count goal. I move the operation to the couch, where the dog and one cat fight for prime lap real estate, ultimately ending with both animals lying snugly in my lap. Check Twitter.
12:45p-1:05p: Move laundry from washer to dryer. Start a new load. Look for more dishes to wash. Eat a piece of chocolate for dessert.
1:06p-2:15p: Continue second block. Usually one of the stronger writing blocks throughout my day.
2:16p-2:30p: More laundry. And if there isn't any laundry, I hover outside the laundry room wondering if there is anything else in the house I can wash. Check Twitter.
2:31p-3:30p: I watch something on TV. Usually a DVRed sporting event from the night before. Sometimes half of a movie. This period of time seems lazy and unproductive, but it is essential. It gives my brain much needed rest. And if I watch the right movie, I get inspired to make my third push of the day. One day per week this block of time is reserved for going to the store and getting lunch/dinner supplies for the week.
3:30p-5:00p: Begin third writing block of the day. A new 500 word goal. Usually on the couch with the annoying animals. Check Twitter.
5:01p-6:00p: I work out on the treadmill while watching DVRed sports event. If there are no sports, I go for a nice, long run. By long I mean a mile and a half. Sometimes I do both. This block is also reserved for mowing the yard once a week.
6:01p-8:30p: If I learn that the wife is coming home on time, I use this time to make dinner and decant wine. If she'll be working late, which happens frequently, I sit down for an impromptu writing session. These sessions often account for my especially prolific days. For some reason, if it is not a scheduled block of writing time, I approach the session with a looseness that allows me to write more than usual. Sometimes I make a drink and put on a record. Sometimes I return to the kitchen table and write in complete silence.
8:30p-11:30p: Relax time. Sit on the couch watching shows. Dog in my lap. In the evenings, she doesn't let the cat on the couch. Sorta strange.
11:31p: Get ready for bed. Read. Think about what I want to do in the morning. Toil over the writing I got done. Toil over the writing yet to be done.
I don't know how other writers do it. A writer's schedule is as interesting and diverse as the human race. I venture a guess that no two writers are the same. But each must deal with the all-consuming void that is a blank page.
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