Years ago, Gloria Estefan advised me that the rhythm was gonna get me. I think she may have been broadcasting the same message to several million other people at the same time, but I can’t be sure.
Well, you know what? Just as Gloria promised, the rhythm has indeed got me.
In the early days of my ghostwriting routine, I was getting around the dance floor well enough, but my toes kept getting bruised, and I had a sneaking suspicion I was keeping two-four time while the band was playing a waltz. At last, I’m in the groove.
My dance routine (sorry, writing routine) is now largely confined to the early morning, and no longer impacts heavily on my weekend. I get up between 5.00 and 5.30am and usually get between 1,000 and 1,500 words down before starting the day job. A mug of strong coffee helps no end. Its my magic hour. There’s inevitably some mopping up to be done outside these times, but it’s usually minimal.
The weird thing is, while my schedule feels more relaxed, I actually feel I’m working harder. Magic hour is also a workout. Some folk go to the gym before the day job. I travel to a fantasy world where fascinating characters do extraordinary things. It doesn’t build muscle, but I often break a sweat. The contradictory truth about writing is that, as much as I find the process exhausting, it also invigorates me. It always has.
It probably helps that I’m now over halfway through the book. Psychologically, that’s a positive thing. Narratively too. This being an epic fantasy tale, there is, of course, a big battle looming. Wheels are turning. Characters are converging upon one another. Sparks are beginning to fly. The energy embedded in the outline is flowing not only into the prose I’m writing, but also into me.
Or maybe it’s the coffee.
Graham Edwards 