You know, as an author, I’ve always had this idea in my head that when people read one of my books, they might have questions about the writing, about how I do it.
But surprisingly, I find readers are more interested in who I am instead of details about a book I wrote.
So if that’s you, read on.
Let me use this email to tell you a little bit about how my morning goes. I don’t know about you, but mornings are where it all happens for me.
I wake up early, about 5:30 AM. It’s not that I have somewhere have to be at that hour, it’s that this is the time in my day when things are quiet.
This is the time of day when my brain is at it’s must undisturbed, its most creative.
This is the time I can have to myself.
As much as I love being a husband and father, sometimes I just need to be able to escape into my own world.
For me, the morning is where I do that. The morning is sacred.
I am up and out the door, walking the dog right away. And lest you think that dog gets ignored, let me tell you, she eats breakfast before I do :-).

This picture is a little tilted, like my sweet dog Ripley’s brain : )
I then head straight for the gym. My workouts are short, but consistent.
I have this idea in my mind of being old one day. At that time, I want to be able to continue writing and to do that, I’ve got to be healthy and have a clear mind. So working out is an important part of that longevity.
After I get cleaned up (tooth brush, shower, maybe even a brush in my hair), I am in a race to hit the room I write in.
Although I can write anywhere, I find the quiet of this place helps me think. If not there, I’m at my favorite coffee shop. Even in the midst of all the background noise, I find creative inspiration.
Sometimes the story flows right out of me. Other times I’ve got to think through plots and characters with warped minds to know where the story goes next.
Depending on the day, I may have a total of two hours before it’s time to move on to other things.
And that’s how my morning happens. That’s how I put words on a page and make a story happen.
As long as I plan for my morning and make it happen, the rest falls into place.