photo of planner and writing materials
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As I continue to seek out what works best for my writing process, I expect my daily schedule, the routine that works for my ADHD brain, will evolve. This is the current iteration, just so I have a reference point for the future.

  • 0700 – 0730: Wake, catch up on major headlines, do my daily Sudoku, etc.
  • 0730 – 0800: Quick writing prompt practice
  • 0800 – 0830: Brainstorming for story seeds
  • 0830 – 0930: Morning ablutions and breakfast (free reading)
  • 0930 – 1230: Principle writing time
  • 1230 – 1300: Walking time (with podcast accompaniment)
  • 1300 – 1330: Lunch

After lunch I’m allowing things to be more free form. Sometimes I’ll feel like continuing the morning writing, other times I want to relax and enjoy some leisure activities. If I don’t write in the afternoon, I often start feeling like doing more writing in the evening, if I don’t have other plans. I usually spend at least two additional hours a day with my writing for a total of six hours a day.

At some point during the week I need to spend an hour or two doing prep for my weekly D&D game, but I don’t have a set schedule for that yet. It would probably help me if I did.

Anyway, that’s the current schedule plan. I’ll revisit in a few weeks to see if it needs additional work.

I’ve had some friends who strongly advocate that I shouldn’t be as structured in why approach to writing, that I should write when inspiration strikes as many famous authors are known to do. While that is certainly a popular image of how an author gets their best work done, it’s not a true image. Sure, some authors were known for that approach to their writing, many more are significantly more structured, especially those who are commercially successful, which is one of my goals. I also know myself well enough to know that if I don’t work within a structure such as this, I’ll nearly always put off work until a mythical “some day” when I’ll be inspired. Rather than wait for that mythical muse to whack me upside the head, I give space in each day for inspiration and the muse to join me at the desk. Throughout my writing life, I’ve found keeping to a schedule was the best way to ensure satisfactory progress. I’m going with what I know to work for me.