We’re getting into a routine, Charlotte and I. At about 9:45 p.m., I put the kettle on to make tea (decaf at that hour). While the water boils, I put my glass of ice water, the journal in which I make book notes, and the little pouch containing my flash drives on the round bookcase/end table next to the recliner. Then, I make tea and place it next to the ice water so I’ll have choices.

By this time, Charlotte knows what’s going on. With my Surface and lap desk, I settle into the recliner, and she hops up in the chair, reclining next to me. I haven’t sorted out whether she thinks it’s her job as managing editor of Tuxedo Cat Press to oversee the drafting of the next book, or whether she’s being kind because hanging out while I write used to be Ned’s job and she doesn’t want me to be lonely. Either way, it’s lovely to have her next to me as I craft the new story.

I’m almost afraid to say it, but so far, it’s going well. I suspect some of this has to do with the fact that I’ve been thinking about the story and making notes for the past couple months, but I think a bigger factor is that I’ve been writing regularly. This is the eleventh day that I’ve written at least 1,000 words, and the routine definitely makes a difference.

This, I think, is probably why so many established writers counsel aspiring writers to write every day. Doing something regularly keeps the flow going, whether it’s exercising, watching what you eat, practicing the piano—or writing. The reality is that sitting down to write is less intimidating when it’s just what you do every day, like brushing your teeth, and you don’t have to spend time and energy deciding whether you’re going to do it.

Today, writing my 1,000 words (slightly more, actually) took less than forty-five minutes, leaving me plenty of time to put everything away before the eleven o’clock news. Granted, a lot of people can’t devote forty-five minutes to writing every day. To them, I say, “Do what you can.” If you can only spend ten minutes writing, then spend that ten minutes. Whatever you can do, try to do it every day, or at least as regularly as you can. Don’t give the creative well time to dry up.