Henry Miller's Work Schedule - some top tips for writers and creatives

Joe Bunting's The Write Practice, is one of my favourite blogs.  Here and here you can read short pieces of fiction I have written from Joe's prompts. 

Joe is currently working on a new book - which I can tell you is FABULOUS, and a must read - in the book he mentions Henry Miller a pithy writer, who's work intrigues me. 

Henry wrote the following list which he terms commandments, that are widely applicable to all writers.  I especially like numbers 4&5&8 - but to me they are all encouraging and applicable. I'd love to know which one is your favouirite?

Work Schedule - Commandments

1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to ‘Black Spring.’
3. Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
5. When you can’t create you can work.
6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
8. Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
9. Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

Under a part titled Daily Program, his routine also featured the following blueprint for productivity, inspiration, and mental health.  I think it's rather wonderful - what about you?

This line is my favourite -  No intrusions, no diversions. Write to finish one section at a time, for good and all.

MORNINGS:
If groggy, type notes and allocate, as stimulus.

If in fine fettle, write.

AFTERNOONS:

Work of section in hand, following plan of section scrupulously. No intrusions, no diversions. Write to finish one section at a time, for good and all.

EVENINGS:

See friends. Read in cafés.

Explore unfamiliar sections — on foot if wet, on bicycle if dry.

Write, if in mood, but only on Minor program.

Paint if empty or tired.

Make Notes. Make Charts, Plans. Make corrections of MS.

Note: Allow sufficient time during daylight to make an occasional visit to museums or an occasional sketch or an occasional bike ride. Sketch in cafés and trains and streets. Cut the movies! Library for references once a week.

Tell me do you have any commandments that help you work?

That's it for now ...

Nics

Salt & Sparkle = Life Remarkable