This Wasn’t the Writing Life I Imagined

But somewhere between errands and edits, the story found me

I used to imagine real writers had long, uninterrupted days filled with candlelight, quiet rooms, and the occasional stroke of genius. But in reality, writing happens in the in-between moments. It's in the gaps between loads of laundry, school drop-offs, and that second cup of coffee you forgot you already made.

Some days the words flow. Other days, I grit my teeth and write near-gibberish. But every now and then, something clicks.

Here’s a look at what a “typical” writing day looks like for me, if there even is such a thing.

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☀️ Morning Routine

Do you write in the morning?
I need a few hours under my belt before I can even think about writing. That means getting my son to school, tidying up a bit, and always having a morning phone call with my mom. Only then do the cobwebs start to clear. I don’t write at the same time every day since my schedule varies. Lately, though, I’ve noticed that my best writing often happens at night.

Coffee, tea, or something stronger?
Coffee. Always. Whether it’s a homemade latte, cold brew, or a Starbucks run when I’m out of creamer, it’s a daily requirement. My go-to order is an iced oat milk shaken espresso.

What sets the tone for your day—music, a walk, chaos?
Exercise. I don’t have to do it first thing, but I like knowing it’s planned into my day. Whether it’s a walk, pilates, or a session on the elliptical, movement helps me focus.

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🧠 Creative Process

Do you have a set writing schedule, or is it more “vibes-based”?
I try to write six days a week and aim for a loose minimum of 1,000 words per session.

What needs to be in place before you can write?
I write a lot in my home office, which I’ve claimed as my creative zone. It needs to be clean enough to not distract me. There’s always a little clutter, but I like to think of it as organized chaos. I also need a drink of some sort. If I’m writing in public, I bring my headphones and play white noise.

How do you get in the zone?
By force. I sit down and do it. No tricks or hacks, just writing and more writing. If I’m really stuck, I go for a walk and use the time to think through scenes or dialogue.

Where do you do most of your writing?
In the beginning stages, I write and plan mostly from my home office. Once I’m deeper into a project, I like to write in cafes and coffee shops in a historic downtown nearby. Changing the environment helps, and it allows me to imagine my characters out in the world too. By that stage, the outline is set, so I don’t need everything perfectly in place.

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📚 Work & Wobble

What’s the hardest part of your writing day?
Getting started. Every single time.

How do you deal with distractions or tough writing days?
I try to give myself grace, but sometimes that’s not enough. On those days, I just remind myself that even bad words on the page are better than no words. My motto is: Just make it exist. You can make it better later.

Do you write chronologically or jump around?
Chronologically. I’m not clever enough to trick myself by jumping ahead. I need the story to unfold in order.

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🧾 Behind the Scenes

What else fills your day besides writing?
Cooking is a big part of my life and also makes its way into my stories. I do creative consulting work on the side and I’m a mom to a five-year-old named Theo. We also have three dogs, who are firmly convinced they run the place.

How do you balance writing with everything else?
It all comes down to priorities. There are always other things I want to do, and sometimes I really should be doing them. But if I want to write, that has to come first. I’ve learned that if you try to prioritize everything, you end up prioritizing nothing. So I ask myself, “What’s most important today?” and I try to focus on that.

Is there a part of the writing life people assume is glamorous, but really isn’t?
Reviews. Yes, a good review can make your day. But a bad one? It can ruin your week. Writers have to grow thick skin, or the industry will wear them down fast. I’ve cried more than once over a harsh review. Most writers have.

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💡 Extras & Insights

What are you currently reading?
The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick.

Go-to snack?
Anything salty. Chips are my favorite.

Word that makes you cringe?
Irregardless. I know it’s technically in the dictionary now, but no. Just no.

Favorite writing tools or apps?
ProWritingAid for editing, Word for drafting, and Novelcrafter for organizing my notes and chaos.

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📣 A Question for You

Everyone’s creative life looks different. Mine is messy, coffee-fueled, and held together by sticky notes and sheer willpower. But it works.

What’s one part of your daily routine you couldn’t live without? Hit reply and let me know.