A Day In The Life Of A Children's Book Writer and Illustrator

Summary

Debbie, a children's book writer and illustrator, shares her daily routine. She starts with coffee, then works on her middle-grade novel or joins writing sessions. To stay focused, she uses apps like Freedom and Focus Time. Despite neighborhood challenges, she exercises in VR and visits the grocery store. Debbie also engages with her editor, prepares for virtual visits, and cooks using meal kits. She practices French with Duolingo, reads, and enjoys creative play in VR to avoid doom scrolling.

Takeaways

• ☕ Debbie starts her day with a cup of pour over coffee, setting the tone for her creative work.
• 🏡 She works from a home office in the basement, which provides a dedicated space for writing and illustrating.
• 📅 Debbie uses a calendar to keep track of her daily schedule, including meetings and writing sessions.
• 📝 She is currently working on a middle-grade novel and participates in virtual writing sessions with friends.
• 🛠️ To maintain focus, Debbie utilizes productivity apps like Freedom and Focus Time.
• 🌳 Despite challenges with the neighborhood, she makes an effort to get outside for fresh air and inspiration.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Her workouts are primarily virtual reality-based due to weather and construction in her area.
• 🥗 At the grocery store, Debbie is drawn to the produce section and enjoys creating found object art with arugula.
• 🎨 She finds inspiration and re-energizes by looking at her inspiration board and working on character sketches for her picture books.
• 🤖 Debbie conducts tech tests and prepares for virtual visits with librarians, enhancing her connection with young readers.
• 🍲 To simplify meal planning during the pandemic, Debbie and her husband use a meal kit service, appreciating the variety and portion control.

Q & A

What does Debbie start her day with?

Debbie starts her day by making herself a cup of pour over coffee with soy creamer.

Where is Debbie's office located?

Debbie's office is in the basement of her home.

What does Debbie do if she has no virtual meetings in the morning?

If Debbie has no virtual meetings, she works on her middle-grade novel.

How does Debbie stay focused while writing?

Debbie uses apps like Freedom and Focus Time to help her stay focused and avoid distractions.

What does Debbie do to get outside and why does she find it challenging?

Debbie tries to get outside at least once a day, but she finds it challenging due to the weather and ongoing construction in her neighborhood.

What does Debbie do for physical activity?

Debbie does most of her workouts in virtual reality due to the limitations of her neighborhood for outdoor activities.

What is Debbie's favorite vegetable for found object art?

Arugula is Debbie's favorite vegetable for found object art.

How does Debbie handle decision-making when grocery shopping?

Debbie gets temporarily paralyzed by indecision when grocery shopping, especially when faced with many choices.

What does Debbie do to re-energize after grocery shopping?

Debbie looks at her inspiration board to re-energize after feeling overwhelmed by choices at the grocery store.

What is Debbie's process for revising her work?

Debbie revises her work by reading over notes from her editor at Simon & Schuster and working on character sketches.

How does Debbie prepare for her virtual visits?

Debbie prepares for her virtual visits by conducting tech tests with friends and gradually improving her virtual setup to better engage with young readers.

What does Debbie do to practice her French language skills?

Debbie practices her French language skills using the Duolingo app.

How does Debbie incorporate creative play into her daily routine?

Debbie engages in creative play daily, either through traditional art supplies on paper or through virtual reality.