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The Secret Key to Ursula K. LeGuin’s Enviable Writing Schedule
A few years ago, a snapshot of author Ursula K. LeGuin’s writing schedule surfaced on Twitter after an anthology was published of her collected interviews.
As the tweet went viral, I noticed two recurring themes in people’s reactions. One, a kind of reverent admiration for the late sci-fi master’s endearingly un-precious sketch of her own creative discipline. Two, an appreciation for all the time the writer spent, very purposefully, not writing.
My reaction was somewhere between “wow, I wish I could have the discipline to think at 5:30 in the morning” and “wow, I wish I didn’t have to pay rent.” I probably Googled some articles about how creative genius is all about sticking to one’s routine, and may or may not have read them.
But as we enter year three of pandemic living, many of us white-collar keyboard tappers ostensibly have access to a more flexible workday than we did in 2019. For many, a LeGuinian routine is now within reach—or at least, the most important part of it. The overlooked key: an hour for breakfast, an hour…
