Rules, routines and habits

 I’m interested in rules of life, writing routines and small habits that help people do better work.

Yesterday’s note on Jamie Kreiner’s wonderful book probably didn’t make this clear: I’m not so much interested in the medieval monk’s quest to build a better spiritual life. I’m interested in a better creative life or a better life of the mind.

I’m interested in the  idea that simple things like rules and schedules could be, as Kreiner puts it, “a technology for harnessing psychological power.”

I’ve talked to many writers who want to build a better creative life. I’ve read interviews and talked with writers about their routines and tools. And sometimes, like medieval monks, we all get obsessed with the details of our practices and habits. I can laugh at some of their superstitions. But then I always make sure I start the day with at least two Rolling Writer pens and a couple of Black Warrior pencils.

• Source: Jamie Kreiner, The Wandering Mind; New York: Liveright Publishing Corp., 2023.