I wrote all of Molly Miranda: Thief for Hire on my iMac. Computer chair, feet up on the stool under my desk, window in front of me, Songza playlist playing from my phone. I started out using Pages but then switched to MS Word. I usually had a can of Coca-Cola on the go while I wrote.
On a good Sunday afternoon or evening, I could write for about two hours (rarely longer) with several Facebook and Twitter breaks scattered throughout that block of time. By the end of that writing session, I felt drained and just wanted to go do something else.
I started writing my second book in early 2015, using the same process.
I don’t have a laptop and I really like the Apple keyboard. I hate typing on a laptop because the keys are so far away from the edge of the keyboard and I hate using a trackpad. I spent a few weeks looking for a lap desk for my iPad. I’ve always been a fan of the iMac’s big screen but it was worth a shot.
I bought myself a Christmas gift in December- a Groovboard. (I have the maple one.) They’re made in Germany and designed specifically for the iPad and the Apple keyboard. I usually just rest the keyboard on top because I like it at a slight incline instead of flat. My iPad has fallen out of the iPad slot a couple of times but it’s generally pretty good, even when the iPad is sitting upright. (This makes me nervous though so I keep it sideways.) There is also a hole for a stylus.
I switched from MS Word to a Google Doc (there’s an app for that) so there is always a copy of my work saved in the cloud and, if the mood strikes, I can work on my book at the office during lunch. I’ll switch back to MS Word when it’s time to edit though.
More importantly, I switched from my iMac to the iPad and relocated from my bedroom/office to the living room couch. I prop up a pillow behind me, put a blanket over me and get really comfortable. I still have Songza playing on my phone but now I use headphones to block out other sounds. I usually have a juice box or two nearby so I don’t have to get up to get a drink. I’ve given up on pop but have filled the caffeine void using Awake Chocolate.
I am now taking far fewer social media breaks. Maybe one or two. I think this is because having several apps open on the iPad is inconvenient while the iMac made it way too easy to switch between MS Word and Chrome. I can now write for several hours without getting up, or even wanting to stop. I think I’m up to five hours. At the end of a writing session, I’m usually only stopping because it’s time for bed—even then, I want to keep going. My brain is still buzzing. I feel like I’m getting pulled deeper into my own brain and deeper into the story.
And even then, it’s just because I switched tools and where I write.
I’ll be sticking with this for a while since it’s working so well. But it shows you just how simple changes to your writing routine can make a big difference.