My Writing Routine

I've already mentioned how I find the inspiration and motivation to write and that I take every chance I get to fit it into my daily life during my writing routine.

I'm very self disciplined and persevere with a project until I've completed it, and for this I try to make sure that my writing routine is effective enough to ensure that I reach my goals. It's necessary to be able to communicate with my editor from time to time to ensure I've not overlooked something. After three books and working on the fourth novel their advice and guidance are hugely appreciated. As authors we get too close to our characters and stories and a fresh perspective from a professional makes a big difference between a solid and great plot.

My Writing Routine

I always revise what I've written previously and start writing the next pages and chapter(s) after I've had some time to think things through. The characters are with me day and night until the novel's completed and it can take quite some time to write a scene and dialogue. After living in the UK longer than my native Sweden it comes naturally to me to write in English and it helps enormously that I was raised bilingual. I honestly don't think I would be as fluent in Swedish
as I am in English.

My cat Teddy is usually with me in his wooden box and after I've written solidly for at least
a couple of hours dependent on whether I'm seeing clients or attend meetings, the two of us have a short break to eat and play. Usually, I try and manage to find the time to go outside for a walk and clear my head before I return inside to either write or attend a meeting.

At weekends and at night I write until I've finished one or several chapters. Normally it takes me anything between five or ten hours to finish what I've set out to do. I do a lot of research which involves checking facts and updating myself on events and minor details. Character traits are filed when I write biographies of each protagonist. I find it simplifies moments when I require details of them to prevent mix ups.

Within my writing routine I don't edit the manuscript until I've written at least two drafts. Writing and editing simultaneously can be confusing while working out details in my head with regards to characters, plot and sub plot. After I've written half the novel I put it aside and take some time off to contemplate what's required to tie up lose ends. It's vital readers don't feel cheated on part of the story and much too easy to avoid writing x scenes and end the story before everything's dealt with in the right context. I'm an avid reader and vividly recall my disappointment with authors whose novels came off to a great start yet ended with many loose ends. Sometimes an open ending give readers the opportunity to figure things out for themselves but I strive to finish what I've started to prevent frustration. After all, readers invest time to engage with characters and events and deserve a satisfying outcome.

Up to date I've not had writer's block. For me the trick is to revisit my characters biographies, outline and notes. I also write down thoughts and ideas on multicoloured post it notes which I put on a board above my office desk. After I've written the novel the notes come in handy when I start the editing process which I collaborate on with my editor after I've read the manuscript
several times.

I challenge myself to write x words, pages and chapters on a weekly basis and aim to complete a novel within six to ten months, depending on the novel's length and work commitments.

Branding the genre is important so I always submit the novel to the graphic designer after my publisher's read it and discussed options with me. As soon as I've completed my job as author, the novel themes and characters are paramount to assessing the strength of the content and how it might be perceived by readers.

Writing is my passion but after writing a novel I take a break and distance myself from it until I'm satisfied I'll be able to get back to it with a clear mind and fresh eyes. I always attempt to imagine and visualise the content and characters from readers perspective. How they will feel about my characters, what happens to them and if I've written a satisfactory ending, resolving issues and ensuring everything's in place. Personally, I love happy endings as much as anyone else but it's possible to write conclusions that aren't sugar coated yet still give readers the answers they require.

When I'm off work I write every day. Practice makes perfect and having a consistent writing routine enables me to work towards a goal much quicker than when snatching time to write between work commitments. I spend Sundays with my family and can't remember the last time I had an entire weekend to myself and them. I'm lucky they don't deprive me of what I love and encourage me to write.

So, that's my writing routine. I look forward to any questions and comments. Writing can be a very solitary  job but I love to escape into an imaginary world inhabited by exciting characters and events until I've written the last page. Perhaps you too have a guilty pleasure? I'd love to hear about it and welcome feedback on this and other blog content.