Behind the Scenes: My Writing “Space” & Daily Routine

Hi friends!

Ever wonder what writing a novel really looks like behind the scenes? Spoiler: it’s not all candlelit desks and endless hours of quiet—it’s nap times, sticky notes, and lots of tea and/or wine. Writing isn’t glamorous, but it’s real. And sometimes, it’s in the ordinary spaces of life where the magic happens.

My Writing Space

The truth is—I don’t really have a “writing space.” For me, writing happens in the in-between moments of life. I write when my child is napping, during short breaks at work, or late at night when the house is finally quiet. Sometimes it’s on my laptop, other times it’s scribbled in a notebook I keep tucked in my bag.

It’s not always pretty or planned, but those little scraps of time have become sacred. They remind me that stories don’t wait for perfect conditions—they grow in the cracks of our everyday lives. And honestly, there’s something special about knowing that a scene in my book was born in the middle of a work lunch break or scribbled down during a sleepy afternoon nap.

My Daily Routine

My day kicks off at the ungodly hour of 5 a.m., corralling my son, making sure he’s fed, dressed, and ready, while coordinating with my parents, who graciously watch him so I can function at all. After surviving the morning circus—complete with spilled cereal and last-minute shoe hunts—I dash to the gym to try to feel human before heading into work. Even there, I’m sneaking in story ideas on notepads, plotting scenes in my head like a sleep-deprived strategist, mentally rewriting dialogue between sets. During the workday, any free moment becomes a secret writing session: scribbled lines on sticky notes, fleeting ideas tucked into the margins of reports, all of it fueling the stories in my head.

Come evening, it’s full-on toddler chaos and love—dinner, bedtime routines, and endless hugs—followed by homework, and then I somehow summon the last shreds of energy to wrestle with my novel. It’s messy, exhausting, ridiculous, and chaotic, but somehow, it all fuels my creativity, reminding me that even in the busiest days, there’s always room for stories to grow.

The times when I do carve out time to work on my novel, it usually looks like this: me, curled up on my bed after tucking my little guy in for the night, the soft glow of a bedside lamp casting warm light across my notebooks and laptop. A cup of vanilla chai tea—or, on the indulgent nights, a glass of Moscato—sits within reach, and I settle in, letting the quiet of the house envelop me. I move fluidly between writing, sketching ideas, and mapping out scenes, pausing now and then to read dialogue aloud or scribble notes in the margins. Sometimes I get lost pacing the room, murmuring lines under my breath, or acting out moments to hear how the conversations feel. I often revisit earlier chapters, tweaking words until they capture the emotion I want, or brainstorming plot twists that might surprise even me. These nighttime hours are my sanctuary, a space where the story breathes, ideas take shape, and the world of The Crown Between Kingdoms comes alive in ways it rarely does during the chaos of the day.

I love surrounding myself with reminders of creativity. I keep a binder that has all of my sticky notes with random lines of dialogue, scraps of paper with half-baked ideas, and doodles of characters tucked away in my nightstand drawer. To anyone else, it might look messy—but to me, it feels like a world in progress.

Then there are the nights when a scene or idea grabs me by the brain and refuses to let go. I sit down “just to jot a few notes,” and suddenly it’s 2 a.m., my coffee long gone, my eyes burning, and I realize I have three hours before work—but somehow, stopping feels impossible. I’m typing, scribbling, pacing, muttering lines of dialogue to myself like a sleep-deprived maniac, and yet… some of my best ideas happen in these chaotic, sleepless marathons.

Fun Behind-the-Scenes Details

✨ Drink to Fuel: A warm cup of vanilla chai tea and/or my favorite glass of Moscato are my favorite writing fuel. On tough nights, I break out the caffeine and indulge in my own perfect version of a vanilla cold brew with homemade cold foam.

✨ Playlists set the mood: When I write battle scenes, I blast Linkin Park or the theme song to Narnia. When I write romantic ones, Burning Blue by Mariah The Scientist has been the backbone to my motivation (If you haven’t heard of this song or talented lady, I highly recommend you do soon!).

✨ Unexpected inspiration: I’ve gotten ideas while folding laundry, waiting in line at the store, and even during car rides when my son starts asking wild “what if” questions.

✨ Character quirks: One of my favorite characters actually began as a casual conversation with a friend years ago. Now he’s a vital part of my novel. It’s funny how little seeds can grow into full, vibrant characters.

✨ Method to the Madness: Some of my favorite lines were written in the Notes app on my phone while waiting in the school pickup line.

✨ Alternate Way of Writing: My son once handed me a crayon when my pen ran out—and yes, I actually wrote a line of dialogue in green crayon.

✨ IYKYK: I’ve drafted whole scenes on the back of receipts, envelopes, and even a grocery list when inspiration hit.

✨ In A Pinch: At work, I sometimes scribble quick scene ideas on sticky notes during lunch—by the end of the week, my bag looks like it’s stuffed with neon confetti.

✨ Mom Life: Nap times are gold. There’s something about that hush in the house that makes my imagination light up, almost like my characters know it’s their time to talk.

Why I Share This

I’m sharing these behind-the-scenes details because I want you to see that writing—or any creative pursuit—isn’t some flawless, magical process. Some nights, I stare at a blank page, wondering if the words will ever come. Other nights, I’m curled up on my bed after tucking my son in, sipping vanilla chai—or occasionally a cheeky glass of Moscato—and suddenly a scene bursts to life. I’m scribbling notes frantically, pacing the room, muttering dialogue to myself, and probably scaring the cat. It’s messy, chaotic, and sleep-deprived—but in those moments, the story starts to breathe, and I remember that it’s all part of the process.

If you’re chasing a dream—writing, painting, building a business, or anything else—I hope this encourages you. You don’t need perfect conditions, endless free time, or a fancy office. Creativity often appears in stolen, chaotic moments: scribbled ideas on sticky notes at work, dialogue whispered in the dark, or sudden inspiration while folding laundry at 10 p.m. What I’m learning—and what I hope we’re learning together—is that showing up matters far more than getting it “perfect.” Even when it’s messy, exhausting, or a little ridiculous, every small effort counts. We’re figuring this out as we go, side by side, and that shared journey—that learning together—is part of the magic.

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh

💭 Here’s my question for you: What little rituals or quirky habits fuel your creativity? Do you have a “writing snack” or a space that helps you dream?

Thanks for joining me for this little peek behind the scenes. I can’t wait to share more of my writing journey—and maybe even a sneak peek from The Crown Between Kingdoms—soon!

— Sarah