Is it possible to fall in love with a book and not find out something about its author? Let’s reflect on the background of Charles Dickens writing routine.
Similar to contracted authors, his work was impacted by deadlines. The novels were published in instalments into periodicals and magazines.
This gave him the chance to gauge the audiences reactions and edit write what he thought would be appropriate.
Table of Contents
What Was Charles Dickens Writing Routine?
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1 Wake At 7 Am
Dickens would wake at the same time each working day.
Our bodies follow a circadian rhythm. The bodies pacemaker. When a person’s internal clock is misaligned it can cause issues such as:
- Incapability of sleep
- Sleep earlier in the evening and wake earlier in the morning
- Mood issues
On the other hand, if you wake at the same time every day:
- Improved productivity
- Emotional stability
- Improved quality of sleep
- Better Digestion
- Improved concentration
- Better immunity
Follow Charles Dickens example and ripe all the benefits!
2 Breakfast At 8 Am
“We have had for breakfast, toasts, cakes, a Yorkshire pie, a piece of beef about the size and much the shape of my portmanteau, tea, coffee, ham and eggs.”
Charles Dickens
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. Here’s why:
- You’re breaking a fast
- Decreases appetite throughout the day
- Improve memory
- Weight management
- Increases focus and learning abilities
- Better mood
We see Dickens eat a big breakfast. The benefits of eating a big breakfast:
- Boost metabolism
- Stabilize weight
- Improved concentration
- Increase mood
Might want to try a bigger breakfast next time before you start your writing routine.
3 Sat In His Study By 9 Am
Having a set time to start work is great! Over time, your body will acclimate to this schedule and it will become easier to be creative during the time you have decided to start your writing routine.
Building healthy habits is always a plus. Here’s how to avoid bad habits.
4 Write Until 2 Pm
Without pause, Charles Dickens would write. 5 hours of writing. Now that’s a lot, with all the benefits of his big breakfast and the motivation of deadlines.
In this time, he could produce thousands of words or sometimes nothing at all.
We are not powerhouses that are able to produce pieces of art 100% of the time.
With this time set aside to work, it meant Dickens could concentrate on one task to its fullest. However, there are times that we need a reset. There’s no need to be disappointed when the inevitable occurs.
Take a step back and move on another time.
Let the Value Writing Kit (edit, character making, setting, world-building, theme & motif and planner) help you write that book in the time you have allocated.
5 Stop For Lunch
Time for more food. Not forgetting the well-deserved break. Only after 5 hours does Dickens stop working.
6 Three-hour walk
Seen to be fundamental to his stories, Dickens walks are said to have given him inspiration. What he observed in these hours were funnelled into his writing. Enabling him to convey London in its most authentic form.
Not only this, but his daily habit was also a form of exercise.
he would consider story developments.
Benefits of exercise on writing:
- Increases energy
- Improves mood
- Encourages socializing opportunities- more material
- Get moving- refreshes mental circuits
- Exercise high- means a writers high
- Inspiration
Don’t forget you need time to gain inspiration for your story.
7 Dinner At 6 Pm Then Relax With Family
This is Dickens downtime. Where he doesn’t work, doesn’t do anything that would take him outside of his relaxation period.
What can you learn from this? Knowing when to stop.
Scheduling a time to switch off your brain, to stop the whirling thoughts of your story. To take a breather.
Here’s a FREE PDF to drot down all the story ideas you have as a final step before you can relax.
This will help you to not obsess about the ideas. You won’t forget them either, They’re there ready to be of use. Next time you scheduled to write.
Benefits Of A Routine
- Easier to check off your to-do list
- Less stress and anxiety
- You know what you have to do
- More time to relax
- Help break bad habits
- You’ll sleep better
This routine enabled Dickens to produce novels at an impressive rate.
What routine do you have? How effective is it to you? Let me know in the comments, until then.
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