Chapter 1: Embracing the Writer's Journey

As school lets out and I step away from teaching, my schedule opens up to the joyous world of writing. With the kids in summer camp this week, I’m ready to dive into my passion.

This morning, I’ve set up my workspace on the couch, surrounded by the new puppy—who is pleasantly worn out from playtime—my lap desk, a trusty pen, a notebook, a journal, my calendar, reading glasses, my phone, and, of course, a bone for the puppy in case he stirs.

I spend some time engaging with articles on Medium, hoping to forge valuable connections. Next, I check my email, communicating with two potential reviewers for my upcoming book, diligently logging their details into my Excel file.

I decide to explore Booksie, and while setting it up takes a bit of time, I’m curious about where this new venture will lead me; the only way to find out is to give it a shot.

After reaching out to my thesis chair—I'm nearing completion of my master's in creative writing—I delve into the next chapter of my thesis-proposal book.

Lunchtime rolls around, and the day is stunning. I take the puppy outside and start pulling weeds, as I can't bear the thought of doing just one thing at a time.

In a moment of horror, I realize that I haven’t written anything today. I've contemplated ideas and even dreamt up a new character, but I haven’t put pen to paper beyond this very article.

I refuse to count emails as writing; that feels like cheating.

So, I tell myself that after lunch and a quick trip for birthday gifts for my soon-to-be 17-year-old, plus puppy duties, I will immerse myself in writing.

However, deep down, I know those chores will likely take over my day, and more tasks will inevitably pile on top. I pause again and face another unsettling truth: if I don’t prioritize writing now, I risk losing my identity as a writer! Why do I allow everything else to overshadow my true passion?

I thrive when my mind is free from distractions as I write. I need to remember that those tasks will still be waiting for me after I’ve poured my heart into my writing. Writing must come first—it's too important to overlook.

Chapter 2: The Challenge of Prioritizing Writing

In this video, "Day in the life of an author | My writing routine | First week as a full-time writer," we explore the daily habits and routines of a new author navigating the world of writing full-time.

This video, "A PRODUCTIVE day in the life of a WRITER," showcases effective strategies and tips for writers to enhance productivity and focus throughout their day.