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📝 Neil Gaiman’s Writing Routine

📝 Neil Gaiman’s Writing Routine

“You have permission to not write, but you don’t have permission to do anything else.”

Famous Writing Routines
April 28, 2024

Welcome to Famous Writing Routines, where we explore the daily habits, writing process, and work routines of some of the most renowned authors throughout history.

Neil Gaiman is an English author, best-known for the comic book series, The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book.

I think it’s really just a solid rule for writers. You don’t have to write. You have permission to not write, but you don’t have permission to do anything else.

The Tim Ferriss Show Transcripts: Neil Gaiman (#366) | The Tim Ferriss Show

Neil Gaiman doesn’t think writer’s block exists, but he absolutely does believe in getting stuck. “The difference,” he believes, “is one is imposed on you by the gods, and one is your own damn fault.” From the famed English author’s perspective, this “block” is simply something writers have come up with in order to shift the blame for being unproductive.

“It sounds like it has nothing to do with you: ‘I would love to write today, but I am blocked. The gods have done it to me,'” he said during a HuffPost Live event. “And it’s not true. Cellists don’t have cellist block. Gardeners don’t have gardener’s block. TV hosts do not have TV host block. But writers have claimed all the blocks, and we think it’s a real thing.”

Gaiman has one simple rule in his routine that has helped him become unstuck for writing. When it comes time for him to work, he’ll head on down to the little gazebo at the bottom of his garden and sit at his desk. While he’s there, Gaiman permits himself to do one of two things: write or do nothing.

“I’m allowed to sit at my desk, I’m allowed to stare out at the world, I’m allowed to do anything I like, as long as it isn’t anything,” he explained. “Not allowed to do a crossword, not allowed to read a book, not allowed to phone a friend, not allowed to make a clay model of something. All I’m allowed to do is absolutely nothing, or write.”

This simple writing rule has helped turn Gaiman into one of the most beloved and prolific authors in the past decades. In addition to publishing countless works and winning numerous literary awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals, many of the author’s books have been adapted for the screen.

What I love about that is I’m giving myself permission to write or not write, but writing is actually more interesting than doing nothing after a while. You sit there and you’ve been staring out the window now for five minutes, and it kind of loses its charm. You’re going, “Well, actually, let’s all write something.”

What Neil Gaiman Does When He Doesn't Know What To Write | HuffPost

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