how I write AND work a busy job 🖊️ my realistic writing routine

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thanks Ritual for sponsoring a portion of this video! For 25% off your first order of Ritual go to ritual.com/christyannejones ☁

[@paigebeth4741]

I'm a professional writing student, and there are so sooo many days that I have to stop my current writing project, put on one of your videos, and find motivation by watching you. Then I can start again. I don't know what it is about your channel, but please keep doing what you're doing. It boosts my mood, motivation, and desire to write, all at the same time. I so appreciate what you do!

[@jule4772]

Seeing you acknowledge that most people's time schedules do not allow them to write daily is honestly such a relieving statement. I think writing a book has become this unachievable thing that you have to sacrifice so much for.

[@ringsroses]

Came to the comments for this. I also think that the "write every day" is combined with the idea of being a best selling, multiple work author of fiction that's sold at airports (which, no snobbery here, just work that's not necessarily going to be offensive to a broad audience). I think it excludes people who have one or a few stories they want to tell while also being present in their lives and being available to things beyond writing. And, I don't think readers want books that only come from the most monastic of writers. I know as a reader I love reading diverse books from people who live and also happen to write really interesting stories.

[@Everythingsunny]

I felt tears well up in my eyes because I felt so seen and validated when you said that it’s classist and ableist to say someone has to write every day. There are few things I love to do more in life than write and even something I enjoy with my whole heart can be painfully laborious because of disability and working class dynamics.

[@decompcore4780]

Loved your hot takes on needing to write every day. As someone who is autistic and struggles with energy levels and also works full time while being an aspiring novelist I can be really hard on myself for not getting up crazy early and doing morning pages and then writing 2000 words on top of that. But I think I’m realizing that it’s more important to celebrate the work I do put in instead of penalizing myself for taking time to rest. Thanks for another great video!

[@Lisa-zx5kb]

I'm Autstic, too, and I'm lucky if I write 500 words in one day, let alone 200+ every day.

[@ymn9738]

YES FINALLY THE WRITING ROUTINE VIDEO WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

[@christy-anne-jones]

Your enthusiasm is so lovely thank you 😭😭

[@ymn9738]

@@christy-anne-jones noh you (and your videos)!

[@TheADHDM]

The part of all Christy Anne Jones routines I want to incorporate the most: Breakfast

[@KimtanaTheGeek]

Thank you so, so much for this. I've watched all the other writing routines you did, and my heart always broke because I work full-time in the service industry at a busy, low-staffed restaurant. Eight-hour shifts with no breaks, five days a week. It's exhausting work, and writing a novel in my spare time is incredibly difficult because of my lack of time and energy. I work both nights and mornings, and most productivity/writing recommendations tell me to "just get up earlier! Write before that shift!" Yeah, no, that's not feasible when your 45-year-old body is aching from laborious work. And watching the routines of full-time writers who had luxurious writing schedules just made me feel that someone like me with a full-time job didn't have a place in the novel-writing world. I've been dying to see one of these routine videos for someone with my kind of schedule (Octavia Butler's was close, but 2am?!? Please, no!). So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this one! It made me feel like I'm not failing as an aspiring author for missing a day writing because of a double shift, or that writing a couple hours a night after work in little chunks is ok. I really appreciate this, and I have more hope that this life-long dream of writing a novel is possible for someone like me. I love your videos, thank you for always inspiring and motivating this little old writer!

[@meggsandbacon8108]

I cannot tell you how much I needed to see this video 😭 I had a mini breakdown the other day because I feel like I can't do it all. I'm nearly at the end of my first draft and while I'm excited, I realize how much work is left to do for it to be ready to query. On top of writing, I have a full-time job and like to live a very active life where I run, lift weights, go rock climbing, and hike throughout the week. I feel like I can't write every day and still do the other things that fulfill me. It's so refreshing to hear someone talk about how they fit writing into their life while also working and doing things outside of writing. SO grateful for all of your videos, but this one in particular 🤍

[@powhowrites]

Appreciate your words about not writing everyday. This "write everyday" thought is so heavy and demotivating. I love that you highlighted it as "not working for everyone and that's fine" Your videos about writing inspire me each time, thank you so much! Can't wait to hear more about your novel

[@mjohnson4825]

Hi Christy! I don’t think I’ve ever commented, but I’ve been following you since the early drafts of Project Teacup. I cried watching your agent video, and this is my first video watching since. Thank you so much for working explicitly and implicitly in your videos to show just how accessible writing can be when done with intention - it’s been a huge encouragement. As I follow along with your journey and take my own to fold writing into my life, I have come to believe the first step to writing isn’t just to write but to believe that we are capable of incorporating writing into our current life. It’s such a treat to see this peek into your routine and your philosophy! 🥰

[@MrXiminoes]

Polyphia gang! It's so impressive that you were able to launch a full-time youtube channel while working full-time and writing as well, the amount of discipline that takes is incredible. I work full-time and work on a novel/short stories in the time I find around that, I can't imagine trying to throw in a youtube channel in there as well. Excited for the day your book finally comes out!

[@donna25871]

Hi Christy - I completed my PhD last year while working in a full time role as a Head of Department in a private school. It was really hard because it meant doing this work at night, weekends and holidays. I had to be organised and disciplined. I took leave from my position for the last six months so I could devote uninterrupted time to get it finished.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Congratulations on finishing your Phd!!!! That's an amazing achievement 😃💛💛💛

[@clmh1985]

I was happy to see this comment! I'm a Head of Department too, and a mother of two. It's my life-long dream to write a novel. So hey there, fellow Head!

[@StephTucker-hc8px]

As a fellow author, it's so refreshing to hear another writer say you don't have to write every day. It's such an awful stigma, and I used to judge myself so hard for it.

[@scarlettdownsiswriting]

Your excitement towards your story is infectious. I agree with what you said about making sure you don't use up all of your energy towards writing and are looking forward to the next one!

[@catnisseverdeen]

Really need this. Grad school is like a full-time job, and the fact that I can't seem to have time to write is worsening my mental health. Thank u for posting this

[@Kyouma.]

It's amazing how 99% of writers can just pour out hundreds or thousands of words effortlessly on a daily basis. Must feel great to be gifted like that

[@marcib6767]

lol this has got to be sarcasm

[@Kyouma.]

@@marcib6767 It is sarcasm, but at the same time, it does seem like it to me. What about people who post serials online, for example? Most of them release chapters on a daily or weekly basis, so it looks like they can pump out words like it's nothing

[@Lara_Ameen]

I love this video! I’m multiply disabled (wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism, and more). I love how you said you don’t write every day! But you still get stuff done. I also think the advice to write every day is ableist. I got my PhD last year and when I was working on my dissertation (a pilot script that I adapted into a fantasy novel), I had to draft quickly, but I definitely didn’t write every day! I took a 7 month break from it (burnout, lol) and just revised my dissertation novel again last month as I’m getting ready to query. I also appreciate seeing your routine as I do a lot of freelance work right now and am self-employed, so I also have to fit writing around my freelance work. Can’t wait to see what’s next for you and Project Teacup! 🎉

[@EvieReddingWrites]

Congrats on your PhD and best of luck with your writing! 💚💚 Signed, -Another Cerebral Palsy Writer

[@jordanseifert4640]

An interesting insight into the creative process. Disciplined, yet taking the time to take care of oneself. Keep up the good work! Hope everyone has a blessed day!

[@IrinaFlowers]

It's impressive that you have the energy to write after work. I am usually braindead after 4 pm, so I try to squeeze my writing into the morning schedule, otherwise it's not happening.

[@graciebrrr]

the headphone thing is so real. i am like fully unable to focus with both ears covered.

[@everausten]

Thank you for all the consideration you had for not writing everyday. When you mentioned 'not being able to concentrate', I was so relieved. I've never seen a professional mention it before and it's such a big part of my day, trying to trick my brain into focus. Even on personal projects I care about deeply and have cleared the time for ✨

[@erinjandacreative]

I deeply appreciate your "hot take" in this video. I have spent so many years feeling badly that I cannot write every day, but you're absolutely right! We all have different abilities, schedules, responsibilities, etc. I also completely understand your internal debate over the naming of floors for your characters' house. I have a similar hangup with spelling conventions. Despite being an American who currently lives in the US, I prefer British English spelling. I drove many of my professors nuts in college whenever I used British English over American English. lol

[@Kathleen4052]

This was so inspiring! FYI - I’m too old for “Ritual”; I work a “traditional” 9-to-5 job; I’m so haphazard in my writing I can even tell you what draft I’m on; and I’m so delusional I think I can be a published author before I die. Thank you so much - I needed this video at this exact moment.❤

[@christinacreech1974]

I love how you talk about mindfulness and well-being, and how that looks in your day!

[@creepypapermultipack]

19:52 thank you so so much for saying this. I needed it to hear it and I’m sure so many others need to hear it too.

[@patrickpoti3084]

Really helpful to see how you colour code the status of your different chapters!

[@AdamibambamTv]

Christy ane jones I love your routine and all your fascinating writing content which has encouraged me to start my own writing. Your videos are full of joy and information. From your most loyal subscriber

[@N.Traveler]

This video was really inspiring! Thank you for giving us a realistic peek into your day. I've personally noticed something paradoxical... When I used to have less time to work on my writing due to school, parttime jobs and other obligations, I used to be so much more productive. Now that I have way more time on my hands, I get nothing done. I think it's called Parkinson's law? That's really proven true for me. Yesterday I forced myself to work on act 3, as I'm sooo close to finishing my outline. And I had a major breakthrough! Now I'm determined to finish the first book in the series I'm working on this year. I think I'm also more motivated now that I have the prospect of a 32-hour work week again. Trying to get as much of the prep work done as I can before I start my new job.

[@Frostweaver]

Wow, the timing of this video couldn't have been better. I picked up my first job this past week and as much as I'm loving it, I've been struggling to make time for any sort of personal project on the side, especially writing. This helps a ton, thanks so much!

[@sahyasamson]

Loved this insight into how you balance the workload. I think i treat fiction writing as a hobby, i can just about manage about a half hour after dinner. I sometimes feel energized by writing fiction and other times I just need to do something else to relax like listen to an audiobook. I usually give alot to my work or study tasks during the day. Loved your idea of also having a dedicated day for writing.

[@clarejean3309]

I always wondered when you write during the day, so I love this vlog!

[@christy-anne-jones]

😊💛💛

[@ReadingNymph]

Im so glad the edits are going well and that you see how much stronger you have become in your writing. Side note, I adore your video editing, I find it so inspiring

[@ehname1]

I love the writing routine videos, but it's cool to see a more realistic expactation of writing routines as well.

[@morganunraveled]

as someone who wants to write but is a mama (a full time job - 24/7 haha) I struggle with all the expectations of “consistency” in the writing craft - routine and consistency is tough in a busy life where every day looks a bit different. thank you for making this realistic, flexible routine video!

[@haanimely981]

Im so glad you are taking better care of yourself Christy ❤

[@Kitkatbreak3]

You’re very inspiring! Thank you for always keeping it real and honest! ❤

[@alexeipyotr2535]

The headphones thing is pretty valid. I've had a few sessions in a recording studio and I found that most musicians (at least the ones I worked with) actually prefer to have only one ear phone on. This allows them to hear themselves as well as the backing track and improves their concentration.

[@darcyrianephillips5756]

You have helped me write so much in the past year! Your content is so soothing and cozy. It allows me to better focus and I love hearing you talk about writing. You are amazing!

[@RooftopClubPodcast]

you're quite spectacular, I love how inclusive you are whenever you are talking about anything. I totally agree with you

[@leahrose-yt]

This is one of my favorite videos I've seen from you in a while. I love how real and candid you are, and I totally agree with you that you don't need to write every day to be a "real" writer! That's just silly. I work full-time at a quite emotionally-draining job and sometimes I just do NOT have the energy to write. That's okay though! It doesn't mean I'm not a real writer and it doesn't mean I don't care about my project. Some days just don't allow for it.

[@willcatdad]

I really appreciate your candor on this video, and your perspective! As a writer who has been too burnt out with a full time job to write for months, it can be so discouraging to hear the oft-repeated "write every day" advice, and I totally agree that it's classist and ableist. I'm trying to write a little bit when I feel up to it, and hoping to build some momentum over time.

[@aquarianfog]

Your videos are so inspiring (not to mention super aesthetically pleasing and professionally done!). I always loved reading and writing immensely as a child and through my teenage years, but then pursued and ultimately obtained my PhD in science. Funny how life works. I don't regret my career path but I do feel like I've lost a giant part of my creative soul... (yikes, this is sounding rather deep lol). I feel hopeful that I can start to rebuild that part of me!

[@xcrackingvoices]

This might be a strange analogy, but I think the "you should write every day" is much like Ratatouille's "Anyone can cook". In Ratatouille it meant that a great cook can come from anywhere. In my head, when I hear "you should write every day" doesn't actually mean what it seems to at first glance. It is more like "you should give yourself the opportunity to write every day you feel like writing". I feel the same as you, that it is easy to get burnt out when you keep writing without actually feeling like it. It's not because you're passionate about something, that you should be doing it every day like it's a chore, else you might forget why you used to love it in the first place. Good luck with your novel, I'm sure it will be wonderful

[@blankadzigerovic6087]

Seeing you do it, makes me feel hopefull that some day I might find my passion and that I won't be afraid of pursuing it. 😊

[@annevblij]

Can we get some commotion for that GORGEOUS corset!? That outfit was amazing.

[@stefaniagenisio]

Christy this video was so inspiring to watch. Thank you for sharing!

[@nayoungkim2170]

It's actually funny that you mention the earphones and brain malfunction (still in the middle of the video) cause I am in a profession where listen to audio via earphone is critical and if my voice is fed back to me, I cannot do my job. It's not just me, but everyone who is in my profession, as in, human beings cannot really think through hearing their own voices fed back to them a split second later (so our audio set up is done such a way to avoid this issue - and if this isn't the case, we argue very strongly on the spot loll) so you aren't the only one!!

[@SoyAngellll]

My Great Sunday is of to an Even Greater Start; since Christy uploaded a new video.

[@atlantisfrost52]

Thank you so much for sharing your realistic writing routine, Christy! I'm working on my first novel and often get frustrated when I don't feel up to writing after a full work day. It's been so inspiring watching your progress and hearing that it's okay to pace yourself. Best of luck with your novel! I look forward to reading it one day!

[@crose174]

Great video. I liked how you changed from the dress to the sweater after 5pm. I also drew a map of my fictional town, I picked a house on Zillow that is close to my fictional house and I have a vision board for my book that I look at when I feel stuck or to make sure I’m hitting all the plot points. One corner of my board has a few bite marks from when my cat attacked it 😂 One thing I do for the rabbit hole scenario is just use a word as a place holder (for example BLANK all caps) then when I figure it out later, I just use the Replace tool to change all the BLANKs to first floor or whatever I choose. It keeps me in the flow when I’m flowing, but it’s also not crazy hard to go back and change it.

[@amandamahar631]

Love the new writing routine video but even more excited to hear about project teacup

[@HusnaReads]

You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this video. Thank you so much!

[@LunaJoy]

love the coziness of this video, and congratulations on making it to draft 6, I can't wait to get my hands on your amazing book.

[@charmaineriley9079]

Your videos inspire me to write as I work a full-time😀 job. Love your green nail polish.

[@nhertanto]

one of my fave videos by you so far < 3 thank you for your honesty & the cozy writing vibes!

[@authortaraeast]

Really loved this video. It is fairly similar to my own work + writing days, and it was just really nice to see a realistic writing routine video. Thanks, Christy.

[@wawahals]

Christy I love your dress, your new couch, your video editing! Your motivation to write and YOU! You are inspiring, you know that right? 😍

[@amandawalterlife]

Thank you so much for thos video, and the things you said about ableism and classism. I feel so validated and seen right now.

[@Wilhelmina_Ives]

I really appreciate your take on writing everyday. I'm on draft 3, the one I hope some beta readers will see, but have been struggling so much these past few weeks and feel guilty for it.

[@sianacrawford3258]

Really wanted this video, yay! Follow up questions would be how do you tackle a new idea, to fleshing it out, to starting writing and then revisions. I don’t know whether to outline or not. How to know if an idea has legs to stand on and that sort of thing, so would love your insights ! X

[@alexandrasieh1397]

I’m EXACTLY the same with headphones in meetings or while teaching. 😂 Awesome video!

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

Thanks for this video! It's so interesting to see how you manage everything you do!

[@BayleeRusso-yl4fb]

Wow, I needed to hear this! This was so encouraging to me. Thank you!

[@RobertDPore]

I love love love this video! I started my latest attempt at writing a novel 2 1/2 weeks ago, and seeing you fall down the ground floor/ 1st floor rabbit hole was so validating. I had my own fall down a rabbit hole this week after I realized I had misinterpreted a (somewhat misleading) Wikipedia article, eventually leading to me spending a whole hour trying to work out if saying the plural 'friends' in medieval Occitan might in fact be their gender neutral way of saying 'friend' (i.e., akin to singular 'they' in English). For me, the fear of burnout looms because I've been primarily trained as a composer, and as such it’s never taken me much more than a month and a half at most to produce a "first draft" of a piece of music, but at the rate I'm writing, I may not finish the first draft until mid to late July or later, and then I'm currently setting myself three more drafts after that. I've never spent that long doing a single creative project, and that makes me a bit anxious. Pray for me/send good vibes/etc.!

[@tonydeluna8095]

Hello Christy, I hope you had an amazing week. How’s the writing going? I hope you produce more books in the future. It’s awesome to hear what other books you’ve read throughout the month. Have a wonderful week

[@asan1050]

Christy Anne Jones ThanksMuch for posting !

[@philippawood5047]

If you look at interpreters, you will see they wear over-ear headphones with one on the ear and the other one tucked just behind their other ear - it allows you to hear what you need to and also hear yourself. :) Taking breaks is so hard for me - I get into the flow state and can work for 7, 8, 9 hours with no break, so bad but hard to train my brain to allow a break. I really admire your work ethic, it is clear you invest time and effort and are now reaping the reward with your successes.

[@thebookbelle]

Loved watching this Christy (especially as I'm beating myself up for not being consistent with my writing!!) x

[@LukaWright-ms6ff]

as someone with really bad adhd its always annoyed me when people say you have to write every day or youre not doing it right TT sometimes i just cant bring myself to write but that doesnt mean im not making good progress on my current project

[@joshthomas4807]

The headphones thing is real. I recently began work where I do a lot of virtual meetings and I found out I was speaking incredibly loud because of my headphones. Lesson learned.

[@JadeJuniiper]

I’ve NEVER had someone describe the headphone thing I experience so exactly! Yes!

[@kaiju_k5042]

We need a study on how much chocolate and tea it takes to write a book, this was lovely, thank you and always rooting for you!!

[@OlaGabie]

Estou em uma maratona dos seus vídeos ❤

[@christy-anne-jones]

😃💛

[@cassandralynnreads]

Excited for the novel, of course. Equally excited to see the map 👀

[@christy-anne-jones]

It is truly pathetic compared to your beautiful maps 😭💛

[@gegenton3953]

Really interesting to see how frustrating meetings are for you. In my job I have meeting after meeting all day, so I'm used to it. But now I wonder what this does to someone's brain. Especially because the topic of each meeting is very different. Also, I hope to be able to take away something from your schedule to improve my writing time. Thanks for sharing :)

[@mariezoe1495]

Finally your routine

[@s.davidcox7523]

I love the worldbuilding dive!

[@HannahlovesStories]

This was so inspiring!

[@siljeborgan4531]

Thank you Christy 😃 This video was so good 😃

[@johanag6736]

Thank you for this video 💜💖

[@serenity8910]

Can you share the recipe for the breakfast protein oats? 🙂

[@StephySketches]

I came here looking for the same! They look delicious!!!

[@perfectplaceambience]

Love you Christie 😊

[@josee_smith]

I loved seeing this routine and how you fit your writing in! Regarding your video editing work, is that primarily editing your videos, or do you have clients that you edit for?

[@alinabostonian4429]

Oh wow, you get a lot of things done during one day 😮

[@christy-anne-jones]

Some days I'm usless. I'm a haphazard worker and I just do what works for me when I can 💛

[@alinabostonian4429]

I hope you will find a publisher. You really deserve it! With all the effort and energy that goes into your book.

[@fracefa]

Hello, I have an important question! I am so confused to whether you/writers in general copy the previous draft while making changes and fixing mistakes in a new document or just write from scratch the whole scenes without using the old draft. The second one doesn’t make sense to me but at same time it’s maybe better to avoid bringing old mistakes in a new draft? Help, I don’t understand the whole concept 😂

[@seriouslywhatever1031]

Have you read The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron? Sounds like a good fit for you.

[@starklingspars8956]

You could put some molasses in your slice for iron. Honest To Goodness Molasses is the nicest I've had. I forget to have it but eat a spoonful now and then. I can't take iron supplement, even spatone. Also you could put some gratef organic beetroot in the slice too as raw beetroot is high in iron. Dutch cocoa is a lot nicer than regular cocoa ( I learnt from a chef when I was waitressing and loved the brownies and asked ) Also raw Cacao has nutrients in it, better for you than cocoa. Ok going to watch the rest now lol . Sorry if you knew all that 😅

[@elenafort8231]

I feel you on the floor thing! I am writing a a dual POV romance novel with an American MFC and a Scottish MMC and I've toiled with the fact that when I write from his POV should I use UK English spelling? Because her perspective is absolutely in American English. It's so difficult to know what is the right thing to do. Because I know I would notice, but would others?

[@livechangechallenge]

Hi Christy, loved this video. Just started outlining my first novel, wow, what a learning curve that is 😅. Thank you for this very honest take and writing. Can I ask, do you write in software like scrivener or something similar? I’m still getting tangled in the planning and outlining 😂 ❤

[@JanellyValdezC]

I love your outfit!!

[@MicronautMaia]

I've never been this early 🥰

[@christy-anne-jones]

😊💛💛

[@danniwaller2174]

I love this I always put writing aside thinking I never have time but I will try a few things in this video thank you 😊 did you just start writing or did you do courses ? X

[@TheReluctantCoder]

I am also currently working on my novel, so I've been following your videos to track your journey. First of all, congratulations on getting a literary agent! May I ask if you got an advance from the lit agent? Just want to know how this works. 😊

[@EmmaRosenBooks]

The balance is hard - I work part time as a teacher and it’s always a fine line to keep everything going

[@Sakura71390]

My brain stops working if I have both headphones in and I’m in a meeting or talking to someone 😂 I thought I was the only one

[@sofiasundkvist]

A recipe for your baked oatmeal, please?!

[@bernsky]

where did u get your corset? its perfect with that dress!

[@cplummerr]

okay but which video games do you play 👀 I love storytelling in all its forms, so while your channel is more bookish (understandably so!), I’d love to know more about your other hobbies!

[@melaniea6749]

Do you use the US “ for dialogue or ‘ that Australian novels use, since your agent is international?

[@christy-anne-jones]

Australian English for all of it :)