my current writing routine for novel #1 //writing\\
you can read everywhere about the writing routine of the greats, and also the not-so-greats.
i've spent hours on youtube looking and listening to just about anyone who will talk about theirs. but the reality is that you just have to find yours. you have to know what is too little, and you have to know what is too much. you have to find your goldilocks. and the only way you can find what that is, is by strutting your slippery ass into into that german house in the deep forest and find out for your gatdamn(self).
i'm working on my first novel and i have no idea what i am doing. (my buddy jeff and i talk about making a hat or sticker that has an acronym: #IHNIWIDBIHF, " I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING BUT I'M HAVING FUN". maybe we'll produce a sticker or hat with this one day.. more to follow). as i am figuring out how-to, and how-i write a novel, and to go back on what i wrote in the 1st paragraph, i recognize that it is helpful to use the trial and error lessons from others into making my own routine. most things are derivative, especially advice and wisdom. we're fools not not listen. but at a certain point you just gotta shit or get off the pot.
peruse youtube later if you wish, but after you write.
so for now (as of 19APR2026), here's my (vomit draft) routine:
Tuesday- 1 hour of writing. not permitted to do anything else during this hour. if i cant think of anything, i sit there and make myself riff on an idea for the novel. it could be anything, but it can't be outlining. it has to be writing. writing notes to myself about the novel counts. no editing. and absolutely no researching (this is code for "bullshitting").
Thursday- 20 minutes of non-stop writing. no editing.
Friday- 1 hour (see Tuesday above).
Sunday- 20 minutes (see Thursday above).
that's the routine for now. i'm sure it will change as time goes on.
moved 1st draft deadline to 1 July. this is the date where editing and 1st re-write begins.