Strange writing habits

In a previous Impish Fen article, we covered regular writing habits of successful wordsmiths who have been able to use various methods in order to get words written. However, as was very clearly stated within said article (in order to avoid any sort of legal action) every writer is unique and will also have their own preferred habits.

In some cases, the busy demands of life outside of the writing sphere will also mean that these habits may not be achievable and will need to adapt to the changes. Which is a subtle hint to say that there is (mostly) no judgement towards any of the following writing methods: as long as words are flowing, laws are upheld and no-one is hurt  they may even work for you!

Watching cows: gather inspiration from your surroundings

A New Yorker article from 1934 recounts the writing routine of Gertrude Stein, detailing her preference for writing outside, and the need to have a cow ‘in her line of vision’, going so far as to drive on to find another if the first doesn’t inspire her. Even though it is incredibly specific way of doing things, much of her work contains references to cows (thought to be a rather interesting allegory, but you can do your own research on that!) showing that she was definitely influenced by her observations.

Book a hotel: work-life balance

What seemed to work best for prolific writer Maya Angelou was a clear separation from writing and the rest of her life. She details her chosen workspace: a hotel room and a flexible but regimented process. At the same time her husband left for work so would she, where she would confine herself just as long as the words kept flowing, never leaving before midday, even on days where the ‘work is going badly’. 

Healthy body, bit of booze: Work your body and mind

Kurt Vonnegut employed an enviable routine with a lot of variety during the day to avoid tiring out the mind – including time at the swimming pool, running errands, teaching and listening to jazz! Clearly, a healthy mixture of activities – as well as ‘belts of Scotch and water’ – add up to a more attainable routine.

Don’t quit your day job: practical schedules

Often, writing advice is to ‘write when you can’, which was true for Anthony Trollope. He would awaken early and write in the morning from around 5:30am until 8:30am, and he set himself the incredible target of writing 250 words every 15 minutes. He would then go off to work for the rest of the day – but with a regimented schedule like this, it’s easy to see how he ended up writing 47 novels, 42 short stories, and five travel books as well as nonfiction books too: phew!

‘A room of one’s own’: finding peace and quiet!

Virginia Woolf had a range of places where she wrote, which changed as her house was remodeled. She had a wooden hut in the garden which she used, only moving into her bedroom in the colder winter months, and would even verbally recount ideas during her morning soak! Eventually, the hut was moved and improved to include an oil stove and running water.

Whatever’s write for you!

Hopefully this article was a good showcase of unconventional writing habits that may make you feel better about your own practise, or might even inspire a new way of life! At the end of the day, writing is bloody hard sometimes, so getting words down on the page/screen/other receptacle, however that may be, is something to be celebrated!