Sydney Morning Herald - The Booklist

Friday 27th May: Rae wrote this piece about her writing routine for Jason Steger’s SMH Booklist newsletter

Most writers have well established routines but after my diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) I learnt to be flexible with mine. My day usually starts with a crossword to wake my brain, followed by a walk. At 9am I take a coffee to my office and start writing. But my body can’t manage long periods of stillness anymore, so I work at an adjustable desk, and switch between sitting and standing regularly.

My first draft, once handwritten, is now typed, and if I’m having a particularly bad RA flare, I speak the day’s words into a transcribing program. It’s surprising how much this has streamlined my dialogue!

Before finishing for the day, I open a new page and brainstorm what my characters might do next. This gives me a solid place to start the following morning and helps me avoid the dreaded blank page.

I write best surrounded by research books, photos and notes – lots and lots of Post-it notes filled with plot ideas, questions and things to investigate – and with Alfie, my dog, snoring at my feet. We’ve started sharing the heated blanket again and the cocoon of warmth and companionship allows my imagination to run amok.