Usually I wake up at 4:30 in the morning. Sometimes my internal clock beats my alarm. I stumble, bleary eyed to the bathroom and then downstairs to press the button on the coffee machine. I check texts, twitter, email and instagram with sleep clouded eyes as the coffee brews. (The digital world has a solid grip, addictive yes, on my daily routine. I consider working on addressing the problem and then guiltily discard the thoughts for another time.) I do 50 push ups, with 50 more to follow after my cup of coffee.
The previous day I will have emailed myself photographs of ideas, inspirations and stuff we are working with that I will examine and write about on our website. The day, or days before are the collection step in my morning writing process. The stumbling block is if I have not captured anything or have run down my resources of ideas. Those mornings are tough. The draw of the digital world quickly pulls me away from my writing and drives me to distraction. I easily go for the ride because my mental reserve is empty.
I work to draw myself back into the writing. It is not easy. The digital world is easy. Click, scan, scoff, repeat. My process starts by taking a thought, an idea, a path and following it. Exploring the observations and insights we come across and connecting them to other ideas. It's a process and one that has its ups and downs. The key is doing it every morning, making it a habit, having a routine. It keeps me focused and I have found that this small change has allowed me greater freedom in the rest of my day. I generate enough material so that an odd day spent floating through the internet doesn't derail the entire process. My routine gives me freedom and that gives me the incentive to stick with it.
Years Past
January 10, 2007
January 10, 2005
Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work
Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table
