Chapter 1: The Influence of Rituals on Writing

Many famous authors have unique rituals that they adhere to. For instance, Truman Capote avoided starting or finishing any story on a Friday. Additionally, he refrained from staying in hotel rooms with numbers that summed to 13 and ensured his ashtray never contained more than three cigarette butts. In a different vein, James Joyce once went through a phase of using red crayon on large sheets of paper due to severe eye issues. Compared to such eccentricities, my own writing habits seem rather mundane.

As I navigate a significant transition in my life, I find myself without a defined writing ritual. My physical surroundings have changed, leading to a struggle to adjust mentally. My new workspace is less private, making interruptions frequent—like the grandchild behind me, munching on chips as I type. The most substantial shift has been the hiatus I took from writing after my mother's passing. Although I didn't cease writing entirely, I refrained from editing my work-in-progress (WIP) for four months as I wasn't in the right mindset to engage with the necessary revisions. Currently, I am on chapter 20 of my first editing round, with only seven more chapters to refine. Concurrently, I am sharing these chapters with a critique group for additional feedback.

A new narrative is also in the works, with about 1200 words drafted. The future of those words remains uncertain as I continue to explore the direction of the story.

Chapter 2: Establishing a Writing Routine

To enhance my writing sessions, I find that selecting background music that resonates with my mood is crucial. While organizing my collection, I rediscovered some timeless favorites like Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carole King, Janis Joplin, and Buffy St. Marie. With headphones on, I can largely block out my surroundings and focus on my screen—at least until someone taps my shoulder.

Once immersed in writing, it becomes challenging to pause. However, I must remain mindful of the clock due to school schedules for my grandchildren. Balancing a part-time job with flexible hours adds complexity to establishing a consistent writing habit. As I develop new rituals, I believe they will help optimize my writing time. Sometimes, simplicity can lead to effectiveness.

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