Ingredients for a Perfect Writing Day

Join me for a wee thought exercise…

Let’s imagine a perfect writing day.

You and I both know there’s no such thing as truly “perfect” in real life, but for the moment this is just a thought exercise so we can make our day whatever we want it to be.

Here’s mine…

I wake up early, feeling truly rested and refreshed. Everything is quiet around me except for the sounds of birds starting their day. I walk my cocker spaniel, Mr. Darcy, because he is definitely perfect and hates to wait for his morning walk. 

As I walk, I clear my head of last night’s dreams and observe… the woman who lives in the house on the corner is walking her fat Pekingese pup while wearing pyjama pants and slippers…a black squirrel has found a piece of bread and is trying to cram as much of it into his cheeks as he can…the couple who own two Weimaraners are also out for a walk and don’t seem to be speaking to each other. Are they not yet awake or still holding a grudge from last night’s argument?  

Back from our walk, I make coffee – a perfect medium roast with freshly ground beans. And I pour a cold glass of water, take my vitamins. (In my perfect days, I’m the picture of perfect health behaviours.)

My writing desk has been set up the night before, so it’s clean and clear with lots of space to write. I have a perfectly flowy new pen and enough crisp paper for notes, as well as my MacAir laptop where I’m revising in Google docs.

My writing ritual is how I cue my brain and my body that we’re writing now so they should both settle in for a while. 

Here’s what my writing ritual looks like:

My Personal Writing Ritual

• I light a candle and as I do that I think about my intentions for my writing session. 
• I set down my freshly brewed coffee in my special mug – the one that says “Tears of My Readers” or is themed to go with my novel. 
• A warm shawl (a gift from a friend in Mexico City) is nearby in case I need it and I have a piece of dark chocolate at hand to treat myself.
• I turn on my Internet blocker and turn OFF my phone. (Not airplane mode: OFF.)
• I set a timer and do 3 minutes of deep breathing.
• I start my “Focus” Playlist, the one that begins with Yo Yo Ma’s Bach cello concertos.

And I write.

This is a perfect writing day, so I’ve cleared my schedule and have lots of time; I don’t have to worry about pressuring myself to be super productive. What gets written today gets written and it’s perfect that way.

After 90 minutes, I take a nice break, stretch my legs, refill my water, tell Mr. Darcy he’s the perfect puppy.

And I write.

As I write, thoughts come into my mind about my writing. Perhaps I think this chapter I’m working on isn’t so perfect yet. I notice this thought and say to myself, “Yes, I know it isn’t perfect – that’s why I’m revising it. And that’s the fun of it! This is why I write – to create something from nothing and work to make it better. If I keep working, it will get better and I will get better as a writer too.”

And I write.

After two 90 minute sessions, I take a longer break. I’ll have a perfectly healthy plant-based snack, take Mr. Darcy out, perhaps pour another cup of coffee. (And this is when I’ll likely shower and brush my teeth, get dressed for the day.)

Before I go back into my writing this time, I’ll do some reading. I’ll read work by a writer I admire to inspire me with what’s possible and remind me that I’m part of a wide community of writers all around the world.

Perhaps I’ll write again right away, or – since this is a perfect day – perhaps I’ll nap. I’ll curl up on a couch with a quilt and Mr. Darcy (he loves a good nap!) and I’ll think about some aspect of my writing project that’s got me a little stumped. What should I do with that section or that specific craft issue? And then I’ll nap on it. (I swear by short naps as part of the writing process – I almost always wake with an answer, or at least feeling better about not yet knowing.)

And I write.

Probably for another two sets of 90 minutes, with a break in between. Somewhere in there I’ll have lunch to keep my energy steady.

And now I stop. I believe that four sessions of 90 minutes each make for a perfectly full writing day. Mr. Darcy gets his afternoon walk and I plan my evening.

That’s my perfect writing day.

Ingredients for a Perfect Writing Day

In a minute I’ll ask you to take time to outline your perfect writing day as well, but for now let’s stay with this and break it down into the key ingredients for a perfect writing day.

1. Rest – I planned ahead for a good night’s sleep so that I would start my day feeling rested and refreshed.
2. Prioritize -- Only the most necessary tasks are done before I start writing. I don’t let anything else get in the way. For me, that’s a walk for Mr. Darcy and coffee for myself.
3. Time – on a perfect writing day, I have set aside more time for writing.
4. Space – I have a dedicated space just for my writing that is set up to help me be focused and productive.
5. Ritual – I have a consistent writing ritual that cues my body and brain that it’s time to start writing now AND that writing is going to be pleasurable, something to look forward to.
6. Focus – I shut off the Internet and my phone, and I play music to help me focus.
7. Breaks – I take breaks, giving my mind a bit of time to relax and my body the fuel and movement it needs. I respect my energy, using 90 minute work segments interspersed with some time to reset.
8. Inspiration – I read writers I admire, to recall what’s possible and why I love writing.
9. Self-management – when I have negative thoughts about my writing, I don’t panic – I just notice them, and offer myself an alternative thought. Because I know that thoughts aren’t facts.
10. Rest – I don’t push myself to the point of exhaustion and I take a nap if it’s needed and/or useful.

The only ingredient missing from this list for me is accountability, or community. Often I write during retreat days with friends and we connect at the start and the end of the day. Writers in The Writer’s Flow Studio post their writing intentions in our Facebook group as a way to stay accountable in a supportive community. 

Accountability is key to a productive writing life and it can be as simple as telling someone you’re going to write, and what you intend to work on, and then telling them when you’re done.

What’s Your Perfect Writing Day?

Take a moment now to think about your own perfect writing day. 

Journal about it in detail from waking in the morning to when you lay down your pen or lift hands from the keyboard for the last time that day.

Be sure to use all your senses as you think about your day – what does it smell like, what does it taste like? What would you read? 

I live alone at the moment but if you have people around, think about where they are as well. Have you left them at home to write somewhere else? Are they asleep? Are your kids playing outside or downstairs while you write?

Don't Let the Perfect Block the Good

Because I know what a perfect writing day looks like for me, I try to get as many of these in as I can.

But you and I both know that there’s nothing that’s often perfect in this world. So, we try…and we accept with grace (or sometimes, cussing!) when our writing day doesn’t go as planned. And then we try again.

I’ve described a FULL day of writing as my perfect writing day, but these are rare for me. I love love LOVE these days when I can get them, but a regular writing day for me looks more like this…

1. Walk Darcy
2. Coffee
3. Write for 45 minutes with The Writer’s Flow Studio
4. Get on with my day

And you know what? That’s a GOOD writing day!

I will take a consistent number of good writing days over completely sporadic perfect days because I know that consistency is how books get finished.

I might get a perfect writing day once a month, but as I plan my week I make sure to get several good writing days on my schedule.

We need the perfect – those delicious days when writing is our total focus – but we also really need the good. And a good writing day is any day you get some writing done!