Saturday and Sundays are my days to really focus on the new book, Empire’s Hostage. These are the days I work at the university library for the afternoon. I started this when I was still working and weekends were really the only time I could write; now it’s a combination of habit and the fact parking is free on the university on weekends (and expensive other times.) Plus, as I said in a different post on a different blog, I’ve been writing there for thirty years, and the environment is conducive to work.
The library incorporated a cafe last year – good and bad for me – it’s a Starbucks, which I really don’t like, but then again I want a coffee during my writing hours. But I’m also trying not to spend money unnecessarily now I’m retired (although I still have a Starbucks card that was a retirement present.)
Right now I don’t have the dilemma, because it’s still the summer and the cafe isn’t open on weekends. The library opens at eleven, so even if I have a late breakfast before heading out, I’ll still want the coffee at some point. I like coffee when I’m reviewing what I’ve written, or pondering the next scene…whether or not it really enhances creativity or I just think it does doesn’t really matter – it’s just one of my rituals now.
At this point in the year I have only one choice – to take a thermos with me. The library (unusually?) has no restrictions on food and drink in the building, so I can drink my coffee at my study carrel. Once the school year starts again I have a plethora of choices – there are a dozen places on campus to get coffee then. But that means packing up my laptop and walking somewhere; that too has its positive side, movement being good for my body and the creative process, even if I just walk over to the University Centre, buy a coffee, and walk back to the library.
So will I give in to the convenience (and better taste?) of purchased coffee or stay frugal and drink thermos coffee? Now I’ve set myself the goal of writing at least three thousand words a week of Empire’s Hostage I need all the rituals (and discipline) I have. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m also curious – what writing rituals do you have?
marianlthorpe.com 
I used to do that when I was younger. But now I’m well into middle age, even though I’m often awake in the wee hours, I don’t seem to write well then anymore. I rather miss that middle-of-the-night creativity!
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For me it seems when I’m awake into the wee hours of the night my brain truly kicks on and I can write a bit more freely. 🙂
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