The HEA Cafe

Recently several discussions on various loops have had me thinking about writing rituals. Things like a special pen, a certain color of paper, special music, a favorite pet at one’s feet. I figured I didn’t have any rituals and then I considered my day and had to rethink my stand.

First, I have a morning routine that I perform and if I don’t do it, it’s a fight to get into the swing of things. My routine includes a cup of specialty coffee and writing in my journal. I could call it a routine but perhaps it’s a ritual.

 I ‘warm up’ by checking my email. I’ve tried to skip this when I’m under a tight deadline but somehow it ends up making me slower rather than faster. Guess I have to confess to another ritual.

When I can’t work out some little detail of my characters or plot, I like to go for a walk. Another ritual, perhaps?

Then there’s the one that got me thinking of my rituals–napping. The discussion on this took place on an author’s loop and a surprisingly large number of the authors napped. I call it power napping or crashing. It’s like I’m floating down a long tunnel and when I hit the bottom I crash and wake up. Even more surprising, my brain is re-energized and ready to tackle more challenges. I don’t nap every day but days when I’m putting in long hours at the keyboard it is especially refreshing.

There are probably other rituals I am unaware of. I know I work best in my office with a familiar keyboard and screen. I know I like a certain radio station on. I like my notebook and to-do list close by.

What about you? What rituals are you aware of? What ones haven’t you realized were your rituals? And where do you stand on napping? Do you nap? Or not?