Hi ,

I enjoy hearing about other authors and how they write. While there are "rules" to writing, there is no one best way to write. 

As a new writer, I was constantly asking writers their routines and processes, in the hopes of finding the secrets to make writing faster and easier. But the more writers I talked to, the more I discovered that each author has their own method, often the very opposite of the last writer I talked to. Some variances included: 

• Pantster (discovery writer or writing by the seat of your pants) vs the plotter 
• Moring writer vs night owl.
• Word quota vs time sitting at the computer

One of the most fun articles I've read about the writing process is from Nora Roberts. She's got an irreverent attitude, which I believe she channels into Eve Dallas. She's a pantster who writes every day, six to eight hours a day. She's clear that her work style is because of her personality, which is busy, driven, and likes solitude. Her schedule fits her. 

Most other famous writers seem to write only 4 or so hours a day, and perhaps, will edit later in the evening. 

Stephan King told George R.R. Martin he writes six pages a day, which is about 1,500 words (double spaced pages). Earlier reports indicated he liked to write 2,000 words a day. 

Most authors also report that they get up early (some as early as 4 am but most around 6 am), have coffee or tea, and are at their desks by 8 or 9 am. 

Maya Angelou had a hotel room she'd go to every day by 6:30 am to write, and have a glass of sherry at 11 am for a break. I think I'd need a nap after that. 

Earnest Hemmingway also wrote in the morning and he wrote standing up. Today, working at a standing desk isn't that odd, but I imagine in his time, it might have been strange. Of course, there is the rumor of copious amounts of alcohol as well. Perhaps standing helped him stay awake. 

Although writing pen on paper was the norm before the typewriter, many authors continued this trend even after the invention of the typewriter. Some writers today still handwrite their first drafts. 

I am not famous, but I thought I'd share my writing routine.

I don't like mornings, but I try to be up and at my desk by 7:30 or 8...or 8:30. 

I prefer to write in the morning because after lunch, my brain just wants to sleep. 

I like coffee during my morning writing. Sometimes I'll write on the deck if it's not too hot or cold. Often I write away from my desk, on a second laptop I bought and keep downstairs. Occasionally, I'll go to the library or a java joint to write. If I'm dictating, I go for a walk.

I'm a pantster by nature, but can write fast with a plot. Plotting, however, is excruciatingly difficult for me. 

I type or dictate my writing. Each requires my brain to work a little differently. Dictating I do on walks and it produces more words in less time (about 4000 words per hour). Typing, I can write about 1800 words an hour if I'm in a flow. 

Here's an interesting tidbit: Last year, while on vacation, I thought I'd write in the car since we had to do a lot of driving. But I found typing made me carsick. So I bought a notepad and handwrote my story, then I used Google Drive to scan my writing, and Google Docs to transcribe it into type. Technology rocks!

I write an average of 3,500 words a day five days a week. If I'm on a deadline, that can be more. My biggest word count day was 12,000 words. My brain hurts just remembering that. 

The rest of the day I'm working on other projects, admin, and other life to-dos.