A day in the life of a writer

[pbray]

Okay, I lied. I don't get entire days to write, I get brief periods of time sandwiched around the day job and an attempt to have a life. But for those who are curious about my writing process, here goes.

• Power-up computer


• Find pages printed out yesterday with revision notes


• Open Microsoft Word file; launch browser, iTunes, Freecell


• Check e-mail


• Check LJ friendslist


• Play a couple of games of Freecell


• Update previous day's work by making changes based on revision notes


• More Freecell. Treat yourself to a game of socks. Mmmm, socks


• Begin writing new material, get one or two paragraphs in


• Time for more Freecell. Or another game of socks


• Write a bigger chunk, usually at least 2 pages


• Freecell while stuck


• Resume writing. Repeat Freecell/Write sequence until finished scene or achieved daily word goal.


• Print out pages just written


• Celebrate with final game of Freecell and more web-surfing


• Close all applications, power down computer, resume daily life

Did I mention that one of these days I'm going to dedicate a book to Freecell?

Comments

[aeriedraconia.livejournal.com]

Hee. Socks!
I like Meggie Soft's Rummy, 500 and Gin at the mo.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Ooh, card games are fun. I used to have many more on my old PC, but gradually grew wiser. Now it's just Freecell and Klondike solitaire, and they're enough to get me into trouble.

[puzzlehouse.livejournal.com]

Other than the fact that I play PySol instead of Freecell, my writing day and yours are pretty much identical.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Great minds think alike!

[elizabeth-welsh.livejournal.com]

If you were writing modern day, you could be like Koontz and stick a mention in every book of Freecell (though his is a mention of cheez-its). Since you're researching modern day forensics, I assume you're about to do something modern. So your hero COULD be found at his or her desk playing freecell. Ta-da

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Hee, I may just do that. Assuming, of course, that I can get anyone to buy the not-so-sekret project.

[jennifer-dunne.livejournal.com]

Hee. I can so imagine your hero being addicted to Tetris. The neat and orderly lining up of every piece... Plus, you know, it's russian! Gotta celebrate his heritage. :-)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It's quite possible. Though I think he might be more of a Civilizations kind of guy, or other computer simulation game.

[jennifer-dunne.livejournal.com]

Play-by-mail Diplomacy. He's been playing with the same people since 1998, and has never met them.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

That's scarily on target.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

Civilization is the greatest computer sim game ever. But you have to find a copy of CIV II. The later versions have better graphics, are more complicated, and much less fun.

Except for playing socks, your program matches mine exactly. Have I mentioned I'm playing Freecell consecutively, anal retentive that I am?

[pbray.livejournal.com]

You did mention your Freecell quirk-- what game number are you up to now?

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

I'm about to try 16574 before going back to work. So far there have been 6 I couldn't solve.

If that isn't an enormous waste of my time I don't know what is.