Writing Rituals - Alicia Malone
Alicia Malone
WRITING SPECIALTY: AUTHOR, TV-HOST
Whether you’re an author, journalist, playwright, screenwriter or copywriter – every professional scribe has a different set of rituals that help them put pen to paper. Hemingway would write from first light until midday, Didion used one solitary hour before dinner to go over everything she'd worked on that day and Maya Angelou kept a hotel room in her hometown just for writing. Our new Writing Rituals series shines a light on some of our favourite writers and the private ceremonies they engage in each and every day.
writing rituals
Spotlight: Alicia Malone
the female gaze by alicia malone
“I try not to judge myself and just free write. Often there’s one kernel I can work with, or at least I’ll see what not to write!”
BACKWARDS & IN HEELS by alicia malone
Photo credit: alicia malone
Writing is a process that every writer approaches in a different way – how would you describe your own process?
“Right now, I’m currently writing a book, as well as writing my scripts for my TV job on Turner Classic Movies. For that job, I introduce the classic films on the channel on Tuesdays and Sundays, hosting around 35 films per month. I pre-record these scripts once every two months, so I spend about six weeks watching the films, doing research, and writing up to 500 words on each. All this is to say that time management is key! I plan it all out, so I write about three scripts a day, which takes me 3-4 hours, and then spend four hours on my book.
As much as I constantly aspire to get changed into proper clothes and stay put at my desk in my office, I usually find myself wearing the same sweatpants and jumper, writing in various places in my house – a chair, the sofa, the dining table, the bed, sometimes the floor by the outlet while my laptop is charging! Now that cafes are open again, I’ve started to go there to write every so often. I really missed having that hum of energy around me last year.”
Do you listen to music while writing?
“Most often I find myself writing in the quiet, with just bird sounds as my background. But when I do put music on in the background, I’m careful to pick quiet songs, playing them on a low volume – gentle beats with no recognisable melody or lyrics, otherwise I’ll start singing along! My favorite playlist on Spotify is called “Low-fi Beats.” It’s simple, relaxing and non-intrusive.”
Are there set times of day in which writing or even editing feels more natural?
“I’m a morning person, and I’m definitely the most productive first thing. I try to write and edit as much as I can before lunch, then push through after lunch as much as I can. I used to be able to write at night, but now it gets to 6pm and I have to switch off!”
Name a handful of vices you use to get going each day…
“In July 2019 I decided to take a break from coffee and lasted two years only drinking tea while writing. In July 2021, I got to chatting with a local barista about accents (he’s English, and we were comparing the words we’ve had to change in order to be understood in America) and in the process, he accidentally gave me a cafe latte instead of a chai latte. I decided to drink it anyway, and HOLY MOLY! The rush of caffeine hit me, and when I opened up my manuscript it was as if I was seeing it through clear eyes. All the problems were suddenly apparent, as well as how to fix them, and I had a burst of energy. So, long story short, I’m back to drinking a daily iced coffee with almond milk, sipped just as I start to write. It’s quite amazing how much it helps me to write!”
Many writers find it hard to sit in a chair and stare at a screen all day. Do your writing rituals include anything physical to help discover or build ideas?
“Yes, I try to go for a walk every morning or ride my bike. If I do this solo, and don’t listen to any music, podcast or audiobook; ideas come! They’re not always good ideas, but they’re ideas all the same. Also, when I’m sitting for a long time my muscles get sore, so get up multiple times during the day to stretch or do a 10-minute yoga session.”
Finish this sentence: When I get stuck or feel frustrated writing, I…
“Take a break. It’s stressful when you’re under deadline and the words aren’t coming, but I’ve tried to make peace with the fact that my writing ebbs and flows. Some days I write a lot, some days only a little, but it all evens out in the end.”
Does your writing routine or the rituals you perform remain the same each day or does it vary from time to time?
“It usually remains the same, Monday through Friday, giving myself the weekend off to recharge my batteries. I try to get up around 6am, have breakfast, do yoga, go for a walk and take a shower before sitting down to start writing at 9am. I’ll break for lunch at about 12pm, sitting outside and reading a book for an hour, coming back in to write again at 1pm. I’ll continue writing until 5pm, at which point my cat is demanding her dinner and lies on my laptop to make it impossible for me to work.”
Are there obstacles you face each day when you sit down to write? How do you try to overcome them or avoid distraction?
“I’ve stopped looking at social media in general, and that has been helpful. Now I just have to control myself from checking my emails every five minutes. Turning off the internet helps. But I always joke that you know when I’m writing, because my house will be clean, my taxes will be up to date, and all my errands will be done. I will do any task, no matter how menial, before I sit down to write. I used to get frustrated with the amount of procrastination I do, but now I say (in a very LA way) that it’s “all part of my process.”
What’s the first thing you do when you see a blank page?
“I force myself to write ANYTHING, even if it’s terrible. I do what they call a “barf draft,” where I try not to judge myself and just free write. Often there’s one kernel I can work with, or at least I’ll see what not to write! This used to be easier when I was drinking alcohol and would follow the old “drink while writing, rewrite while sober” rule!”
Do you have a writing quote you live by or that inspires you each day?
“Protect your time. Feed your inner life. Avoid too much noise. Read good books, have good sentences in your ears. Be by yourself as often as you can. Walk. Take the phone off the hook. Work regular hours.” - Jane Kenyon.
“I like this quote, and all of these practices work for me. Especially, “have good sentences in your ears.” Just before I start to write, I always read a book for 20-30 minutes—something that is similar to the tone or style I’m aspiring to. This helps me get into the writing mode, as well as inspiring me to keep on going.”