Maybe it’s a Catholic thing, but I love rituals. Rhythms soothe me. My writing rituals look like this:
1. Make a latte.
2. Brush teeth.
3. Apply red lipstick. (Stop laughing).
4. Pray. (Definitely a Catholic thing).
What do your rituals look like? Or do you just dive in without the need of assistance from MAC, caffeine, and a litany of saints?
Hey Kassie…found your site through UnknownJim.
My writing ritual includes:
1. Make coffee.
2. Eat a Luna bar.
3. Dive in-coffee in hand.
I usually don’t get around to the teeth brushing or lipstick applying until after I’m done!
I used to LOVE Luna bars, but I’m jumping on the semi-paleo bandwagon so they’re out for me right now. I’m still looking for a quick breakfast alternative. I’m trying the 5AM thing, and if I don’t get caffeine, nourishment, and something on my body that makes going back to sleep unlikely (lipstick), I’ll just sleep until 8!
I’ve heard a lot about this paleo thing…kinda scared to try it!
Good for you for getting up at 5 am…I did something similar when I worked as a teacher last semester. Now, it’s just me trying to kill it as an author, so I get up around 6. What do you do?
I’m a full time, live-in nanny in the NYC metro. It’s a crazy life, but I love it!
I love this, perhaps I should try applying red lipstick before I write! My writing ritual looks more like this:
1. Turn off music (I find it is much easier to write in quiet).
2. Say a quick prayer.
3. Remember what I was going to write about/check the list on my phone of blogs I want to write.
4. Write! =)
I go back and forth on the music thing. For blogs, I work better without it on. For fiction, the right playlist shapes my work. Of course, then I procrastinate to find the perfect playlist, which is when I make myself give. It. Up.
I’m a music addict, so if I’m writing a goofy post I can have it on, but if I’m writing a post that requires any kind of actual brain power the music has to be off. I can spend hours and hours making playlists for myself for different occasions!
I can only listen to music without words when I’m trying to write…like Sigur Ros. Otherwise, I end up typing the words of the same I’m listening to!
I’m jealous Kassie! NYC is tops on my list to visit when I finally have money.
Tessa,
I love to listen to soundtracks when I’m studying, but if I listen to them while writing I just want to turn on whatever movie they came from (Pearl Harbor and Pride & Prejudice top that list)!
That is hilarious! I, too, like soundtracks…Harry Potter is a favorite.
Oh…why don’t I have that? I also love the Pirates soundtracks!
Kassie,
You crack me up. I normally just dive in to my writing. I can’t wait to have my own space again because I think there is something sacred about ritual that stirs the writing-fire in the belly. I think I’m going to invest the time and discipline at least once a week to have a true writing ritual that fits me. Love your website too – simplicity at its best!