Writing Rituals – Do I Have Any?
I recently read Daily Rituals, by Mason Currey. It’s a fascinating account of the creative processes of a collection of famous artists, authors, composers and choreographers. Who knew that Anthony Trollope, rose before dawn every day and wrote three thousand words before going to his job at the post office, or that Thomas Wolfe wrote standing up in his kitchen, using the top of the refrigerator as his desk?
This brought to mind the writing routines I’ve heard many of my fellow authors refer to, their own daily rituals that drive and keep them on track with works in progress. These involve everything from writing at precisely the same time each day; writing while on a treadmill (no idea how that works) or while downing gallons of coffee in their local cafe, to setting a Trollope-esque daily word count goal and not allowing themselves to stop until they reach that magic number.
I have to admit that when I hear these accounts I wonder what’s wrong with me – why I can’t be that disciplined. I worry that I’m too easy on myself, a highly proficient procrastinator who’s missing some unseen professional mark, somehow. I feel guilty that I don’t have a specific daily routine, a regimen, or often even a plan. I am a panster when it comes to my writing and, it seems, I’m also a panster regarding ritual.
I write in many locations around the house, at opportune times of the day or night as the demands of daily life and insomnia allow, generally accompanied by copious amounts of tea, or a glass of wine, and often my dog’s sweet snout in my lap. Some days I crank out a thousand words and others zero, because I’ve walked away to take stock or let my emotions settle, reassess and restructure where the walls of my story aren’t holding up. Sometimes I walk away for a day, and sometimes for weeks. As all authors know, when up against a publishing deadline, walking away just isn’t practical, but as far as my personal process goes, I’ve learned that it’s part of the deal.
While not writing consistently every day, I am consistent in my overall process. For instance, the part where I’ve finished the first draft of a novel and print it out, take a red pen and, with heart in mouth, edit my way through it, all the time whining to my husband that the book is total garbage and belongs on the fire. This has happened with every book I’ve written and I suspect it will for all the books I plan to write, in the future.
I so admire those disciplined authors who work consistently at their craft each day, and I often wish I could master that ability. However, writing is a very personal process, and there being no one-size-fits-all way of approaching it, I’ve accepted that I am who I am, in this regard. So, for better or worse, I’m gradually embracing what is, for all intents and purposes, my own non-ritualistic path.
–Originally from Edinburgh, Alison now lives near Washington DC with her husband and dog. She was educated in England and holds an MBA from Leicester University. Alison writes heart-wrenching novels about family dynamics and relationships, set in the Highlands and islands of Scotland.
Alison’s debut novel, TUESDAY’S SOCKS, and her second, THE FATHER-DAUGHTER CLUB, are both Amazon best sellers. The Father-Daughter Club was also awarded the IPPY 2016 Bronze Medal for Best Regional Fiction – Europe. FINDING HEATHER is Alison’s third novel, which was released in October, 2016. A LIFE UNEXPECTED, Alison’s fourth novel, won a 2018 IPPY Bronze Medal in the Popular Fiction category.
For more information on upcoming books go to www.alisonragsdale.com.
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A LIFE UNEXPECTED, Alison Ragsdale
Eve Carruthers is caught off guard when her newly married daughter, Jess, asks if the cystic fibrosis gene runs in the family. Eve must admit that she has kept the fact of her own adoption secret, from Jess.
Eve asks her parents about the circumstances of her birth and a startling secret is unveiled. As she delves into her mysterious past, and becomes preoccupied by her discoveries, her over-protective husband, Ken, begins to feel excluded.
When Eve meets family researcher Dan, she is flattered by this charismatic man’s interest in her. As the foundation of her world shifts, Eve must make a decision that could cause a rift in her marriage, alienate her daughter and challenge everything she believed to be true about herself
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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips
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Great essay, Alison. It’s so easy to feel guilty about our writing processes, or to feel like we’re somehow doing it wrong, when we hear about the approach other writers take. Glad to know I’m not the only one who goes through this self-doubt. I often think if I were somehow more disciplined, I’d be able to write more quickly. I have to keep reminding myself, it takes as long as it takes. We each have our own path when it comes to writing. Thanks for sharing and for the reminder.
Thanks, Jessica! I’m so glad this resonated with you. Yes – it’s a continual learning curve for me, but I’m finally getting my head around the fact that we need to stop beating ourselves up, and accept our individuality in this process. Write on!