Some writers like to get up really early and write before sunrise. I am not one of those writers. I get up early, and walk into walls for a couple of hours. After I have had a LOT of coffee, and watched the first hour of THE TODAY SHOW, I am ready to go to my office.

But I am not ready to write. Not yet.

First I answer my email. Then I check out USA TODAY online. Then I play a couple of games of computer solitaire. Then I put on some music, depending on what I am writing. When I was writing YANKEE GIRL I listened to the Beatles, and a lot of oldies stations.

Now I am ready to write.

When I am writing a first draft, I just write. I don't go back and re-read or even fix the spelling. I just keep writing. If I can't think of what comes next, I write "I can't think of what comes next" and keep writing. I'll do that until I get REALLY stuck. Then I'll go pop some popcorn (the kind you make on the stove.) Walking around the house crunching on popcorn helps me think. Then I go back and write some more, until it is time to go to the gym and work out. Sitting in front of a computer screen without moving is not very good for you, so I try to go to the gym at the same time every day.

After I come home, I print out what I wrote that morning. I take it with me to the skating rink while my daughter practices. I can revise while she skates.