Nesting: 5 Ways I Get Ready to Write

Happy fall, friends! September brings many seasonal changes, including, for me, a shift into full-on writing mode for my next novel which is due Feb. 15. In getting ready for this time in my writing cycle, I've been nesting for the last several weeks. It's a way of getting myself mentally and practically prepared for this coming stage of intense work. Here's what I've been up to:

1. Finishing up projects around the home.

This summer, that has included repainting my bedroom to match a quilt I made while living in Alaska, donating old toys and clothes the kids have outgrown, and quite a bit of landscaping/yard work. We took out two trees, transplanted a slew of hostas, trimmed, weeded, planted new perennials, and basically went nuts to make up for a few years of being in denial about all the things that needed our attention. There's a lot more to be done, but I have burned out on yard work. 

2. Stocking my freezer with meals.

I could do more of this, but I have a pretty good start. Meatloaf, chicken enchiladas, a few soups (hallelujah, soup season), Hawaiian chicken, raspberry chicken, ham hashbrown casserole, pork chops.... It's enough for now. I'll probably just double whatever I'm making for dinner several times this month and put one batch in the freezer. When I'm in writing mode, I like to maximize my afternoons and not have to worry about cooking every day. Freezer meals are my saving grace. But I do accept food delivery. From anyone. 

3. Lining up fresh teas and Tees.

My go-to hot beverage is tea, and my tea drawer has been a bit of a mess. So I've gotten some perfectly-sized tins to help me organize my stash from the Tea Cellar on Main Street in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Pictured below, left to right: Cream Caramel Decaf, Vanilla Bean Flan, Apple Cranberry, and Citrus Sunrise. NOT pictured: Honey Almond, Peaches n'Cream, Cream Earl Grey, Wild Cherry. Yummmm.

I've also splurged on a couple of new writing T-shirts, to go with my writing pants (L.L. Bean pajama pants). One of them says "Novel in Progress" and the other says "Read. Write. Repeat." These are not necessary, but I like to think they help get me in the right frame of mind for long writing days.

4. Cleaning my office.

By the time I finished writing and editing my last book, Between Two Shores, my office definitely showed signs of a struggle. I need to reset everything to as much of a blank slate as possible before I begin a new story. I need to switch my brainwaves from 1759 Monteal to 1871 Chicago. A clean office gives me space to do that. 

Across from my L-shaped desk is a little sofa where my kids and cats sometimes come in to hang out. The blank cork boards you see on my desk and leaning against the wall will soon be filled with images related to my next novel-in-progess. 

5. Binge-reading.

The absolute most fun thing I do while getting ready to write the next book is to read all the books I can without completely neglecting my own family. This includes research books for the next novel, books about the writing craft, and just really good fiction and nonfiction I've been wanting to read for some time. It's impossible to be a great writer without being a great reader. I love this part of my professional development! I read 30+ books this summer, which was a wonderful and necessary replenishing of my creative well. Here is just a sampling of what I've happily devoured:

If you're an author, I bet you can relate to this, and I'd love to hear what else you do while nesting for your own book writing period! If you're a reader, tell me how you nest for different seasons!