We’re taking a mini-vacation in Vermont this week, so I’m taking a break from my series on getting published.
Yesterday I came across a tweet by @groveatlantic that linked to Lauren Acampora’s description of a good writing day. I decided to do the childless gay man’s edition (clean version).
A Good Writing Day
7:00-Wake up, read in bed for half an hour. Get through 2 pages of Moby Dick. 400 to go.
7:30-Drive boyfriend to work because it’s raining and I won’t let him ride his bike there. Consider stopping for a cappuccino on the way home. Reconsider when I remember quitting my full time job last month. Mix up a nice mug of instant.
8:00-Take laptop out to balcony and listen to the rain instead of working. Start feeling guilty; take so social media because I’m “building my online platform.”
8:15-Consider the white board where I list my ongoing projects. Start a new one instead.
9:22-Read skim articles on self-discipline. Bookmark more for later.
10:50-Mix up a protein shake while listening to This American Life or Dinner Party Download. Consider making a cocktail–reconsider after checking the clock.
11:15-Turn off Dinner Party Download because the guest is Marlon James and I realize I’ve listened to it twice already. Buckle down and get some real work done.
12:40-Hit the gym. Read two more pages of Moby Dick on the elliptical before lifting. Compulsively check email for acceptances between every exercise.
2:02-Get home, shower, and listen to DPD with Marlon James for the third time because he is incredible.
2:30-Call boyfriend and lie about how much work I got done.
2:45- Get off the phone and work like mad to get done everything I said I did. Closing the integrity gap. Start thinking about dinner.
3:28-Call my brother and read him the paragraph I’ve been working on for the last half-hour. He fixes it.
4:30-Pick boyfriend up from work. He offers to cook dinner so I can work more, but I decide to cook because I need a break.
5:30-Bedtime ablutions- Alternate between reading, writing, boyfriend and Netflix.
After ablutions-Start a movie with no intention of finishing it. Fall asleep before opening credits are over.