Today I started a leave of absence from my job, to focus on finishing my book. The manuscript is due in five weeks, and I’m determined to make the deadline (in part because we’ve sold half a dozen translations of the book, and some of those publishers are as keen as my American publisher to get the final manuscript); and there comes a point with every book where you need to stop your regular life, and just throw every last bit of energy and attention you have into it So far I’ve done a pretty good job of writing part-time, but at this stage, I need to focus completely.

My usual practice is get up before dawn, and put in a couple hours’ serious writing before I take out the dogs, get the kids up, etc.; then after a break to walk the dogs, have breakfast, finish off whatever’s left in the coffeepot (sometimes it’s still coffee), etc. do a second round of writing. After that, I would normally turn to regular work, but now I’m staying with the book.

This morning was particularly good for serious thinking, as it was kind of dark and foggy– good weather for contemplation.

I’ve been very good at developing an early morning routine, but it’s clear to me that I’m going to have to apply the same discipline to a late morning and afternoon routine. Not impossible to do by any means, but just something that’ll require some forethought.

The other thing I’ll need to do is make sure I set aside time to take care of errands and work out. Compared to the other people at my local 24 Hour Fitness, I’m not a serious athlete, but I’m a consistent one, and I do find that I feel infinitely better if go regularly. It’s a way of getting the blood flowing and stretching bones and tendons that otherwise end the day too tight from sitting around, and it earns me the right to spend time in the hot tub (often with a small book, I admit).