Every author's routine differs — here's one common pattern for a working novelist with a side gig:
Reread yesterday's last scene, then push the draft forward word by word.
Check how a 1920s ferry actually ran. One fact, three rabbit holes.
Teach a class or edit client work to cover rent.
Is this chapter broken, or am I just tired of it? Decide.
Weigh a note that cuts a favorite scene. Rework it, or defend it.
Tailor a query letter, send it to five agents, brace for no.
Post a short video, then plan next month's school visit.
Read pages aloud. Take notes on what confused people.
Jot an outline for the shiny new book tugging at me.
- Draft chapters word by word, building a story or argument from nothing.
- Dream up ideas and sketch outlines for characters, plots, or chapters.
- Rewrite whole drafts again and again until the book finally works.
- Research facts, places, and history to make the writing ring true.
- Pitch agents and editors, then absorb rejection and keep submitting.
- Is this draft truly broken, or am I just sick of looking at it?
- Should I take this editor's note, or protect what I meant to say?
- Do I keep working on this book, or start the new idea pulling at me?
- Should I keep querying agents, or publish this myself?
- Can I afford to turn down this freelance job to protect my writing time?
Editors read, shape, and polish writing for books, magazines, news sites, and companies, fixing mistakes, checking facts, and giving writers feedback so the final piece is clear, accurate, and ready to publish.
Scriptwriters write the stories, characters, and dialogue for movies, TV shows, YouTube videos, podcasts, video games, commercials, and live shows, then revise their scripts with directors, producers, and creators.
Illustrators make drawings and images, by hand or on a computer, that explain ideas or tell stories for clients. Their art appears in books, magazines, ads, games, packaging, and more.
