A lot of writers will tell you to write every day. It’s one of those things you hear all the time from professionals, teachers—just about everyone. I write every day as well.
Today I wrote a shopping list, a letter to my solicitor, a check to pay my phone bill, and I think that should count.

There is no other job I know of that expects you to work every day. Everyone gets days off, and I think writers should be no exception. Sometimes, you have to let your batteries recharge.

I try to do something writing related most days, which might be answering emails, editing a webpage or promoting, but I still leave myself one day off a week. Strangely enough, on my day off I seem to get more work done than any of my working days. I’m not sure why, but I suspect it has something to do with feeling I have to work.

I’m a contrary guy. I don’t want to do anything I have to do. But I REALLY want to do things I don’t have to do. So on my day off when I’m not supposed to work, I want to get stuff done. In fact, usually, I get enough done on my day off to carry me through the work week. If you find this confusing, just think of how I feel.

Maybe I should have one working day a week, and six days off. What did you do on your days off, Steve? I wrote and edited a new novel. That’s the kind of time off I need.

It’s terrible being contrary, because you have to continually trick yourself. I can’t diet, or I’d want everything I can’t eat. But if I say to myself that I can eat anything I want, then I have to control myself so that I don’t end up looking like a body double for the Goodyear blimp.

If I have to stay up late for something, I’m instantly sleepy, whereas, if I want to go to sleep, I have insomnia.

I guess that’s why Allie told me in no uncertain terms that I shouldn’t write and post a blog today.

It’s not easy being me.