Another chapter is written as I attempt to escape the humidity of London, sitting by an open sash window. As I dutifully re-read the chapter, make a note of the word count and add to the summary list of what each chapter contains, I am struck by how important these rituals are. How they make me feel in control of my writing. Even the 30 minutes spent on the Internet before I begin are part of it. So is the tube of lip salve that I keep by my monitor, the burning of essential oil (geranium), the cup of lemon and ginger tea and the housework that gives me regular reason to step up from my desk and hang the washing out. The latest new habit has been updating my blog.
Other rituals help, too. I have found cleaning my teeth and riding my bike to be excellent light bulb moments - it's the mindlessness of both activities that seem to spark thought. But the most important routine of all? Emailing the document to myself as back up. I don't know what I'd do if I lost all this writing. Rewriting from scratch is one practice I prefer never to start.
