I Need Coffee and Chocolate!

First day back to “normal” routine and I thought it was worth reflecting on what makes me productive or otherwise as a writer.

I am definitely less productive when I’m out of routine or have something on my mind. Having said that, I am getting better at giving my current feelings to a character and writing up a case study for future use. For example:-

"Tanner paced unseeing around his office. Picking up the same piece of paper he read the first paragraph again without taking anything in. His head felt full of cotton wool and maybe he was developing a headache.
          He sat on the edge of his seat and stared out of the window without seeing the view and when he looked down a while later, he had unravelled the cotton at the hem of his shirt. Moaning he hid his head in his hands before heading to the kitchen for yet another cup of tea.
          Once in the kitchen, he switched on the kettle. He stared out of the window while it was boiling and didn’t hear it click off. He suddenly couldn’t remember why he was there and wandered back to his office."

What does make me productive?

1. Good coffee.

2. Chocolate (doesn’t do much for my figure though).

3. A tidy house and study (I don’t need to feel guilty then).

4. A target.

5. Visits to local cafes to write.

6. Writing whilst waiting – appointments, son’s swimming and piano lessons.

7. Successes and praise.

8. A story and characters that won’t go away.

I visited Sainsbury’s café this morning and was more productive than I have been for most of the Christmas holiday. What makes you write more?