Routine of A Fiction Writer With Schizophrenia

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Finding stability in creative chaos has been my lifelong journey as a fiction writer living with schizophrenia. Drawing wisdom from master storyteller Walter Mosley's advice on daily writing routines, I've discovered powerful connections between maintaining creative discipline and managing mental health challenges.

My mornings belong to fiction writing—after coffee, breakfast, and digital newspapers, of course. This dedicated creative time, respected by my spouse and protected in my schedule, provides essential structure that benefits both my novels and my mind. When symptoms of schizophrenia threaten to overwhelm with confusion and disorientation, these established routines become anchors in the storm. Simple activities—feeding wild birds, watching films, housekeeping, gardening, playing piano—transform into meaningful touchstones that guide me through difficult days.

Organization tools like planners help me visualize and maintain this framework without becoming trapped by rigidity. Even during relapses or psychotic episodes, I continue writing through journaling, which serves dual purposes: maintaining my creative practice while tracking mental health patterns and warning signs. Similarly, medication management requires its own carefully crafted schedule—I take antipsychotics and epilepsy medications in late afternoon rather than evening, accommodating my 4am wake-up time. The beautiful synchronicity I've found is that the discipline required for successful writing directly enhances my mental health management, and vice versa. Whether you're a writer, someone managing mental health challenges, or both, I hope my experiences offer insight into the profound power of thoughtful routines. Subscribe to my channel and podcast for more on living creatively with schizophrenia, and share your own routine strategies in the comments!

#WritingRoutine, #WritingTips, #WritingProductivity, #SchizophreniaAwareness, #MentalHealth #MentalHealthWriting, #WritingforWellness

References and online Links   
Walter Mosley: Course “Teaches Fiction and Storytelling, Masterclass app.

Clever Fox Planner Pro (visit https://amzn.to/437AUVA). 

Clever Fox Mental Health & Anxiety Journal (visit https://amzn.to/3FXGwtQ)

The Clever Fox links are Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Overlife, A Tale of Schizophrenia, by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/454WgW6).

“Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/42Z81KY).

The links to my books are Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

website: https://dianadirkbywrites.com (fiction writing)

website: https://aussiemathematician.io/ (mathematics)

Blog: https://dianadirkbywrites.com/blogs/

Podcast: Schizophrenia As I Live It (audio) 
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2186769.

Podcast: Fractured Ink: Writing in Life’s Chaos (video) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUxDLjcuok9SMcaBbm3M7KNpNztvZ73H0

Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/)

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YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company 

Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Episode Transcript

Diana Dirkby (00:02):
I am a fiction writer with schizophrenia.
Today I want to discuss theadvantages of daily routines for
writing and schizophrenia.
The renowned fiction writerWalter Mosley teaches fiction
and storytelling in hisMasterclass App course.
He offers advice that suggestsa daily routine is particularly

(00:28):
beneficial for authors.
I have found that a dailyroutine both helps me to write
and helps me manage myschizophrenia symptoms.
One piece of wisdom Mosleyshares can be seen as part of
creative writing management.
He suggests that writersestablish a routine time of day

(00:51):
for writing that they followevery day, even if it results
only in a few lines.
This advice fits well with myfiction writing and my
schizophrenia.
In the case of Mosley, he aimsto start writing at the
beginning of each day.
He explains that writing assoon as he wakes up works.

(01:13):
For him.
The duration of your writingdoesn't matter.
The habit is meant to get thecreative juices flowing.
If you only have a few minutesin the morning, you can still
write a little then and plan towrite more in a day later.
This philosophy of a routine inwriting applies to any genre

(01:38):
and benefits creative writingwith healthy habits.
What are myschizophrenia-inspired writing
routines?
When I wake up, I need to drinka few cups of coffee and have
breakfast after reading mydigital newspapers.
Since my spouse often wakes upsimultaneously, we usually spend

(01:58):
time together before I can workon my writing.
After the wake-up routine withmy spouse, I write some of my
current fiction book projectdaily.
I only work on it in themorning, since the afternoons
after lunch are reserved fortime with my spouse.
Additionally, I work muchbetter in the morning because I

(02:20):
am fresh.
My spouse has accepted thatmornings are meant for my
creative work.
Of course, there are times whenfriends visit us and holidays
when my mornings are not free,as Walter Mosley suggests.
On those days, I write a fewlines when I wake up.
This philosophy aids myproductivity as a novelist.

(02:43):
Organising various other lifeactivities is crucial to
establishing consistentschizophrenia-inspired habits.
That's why I value Clever Fox'srange of planners, for instance
the Clever Fox Planner Pro.
I don't claim that writing inyour planner is the same as

(03:07):
crafting your literary work, butorganising your day
significantly aids in finding aregular time to write.
Maintaining a daily routine withsome flexibility for unforeseen
events helps me manage myschizophrenia symptoms.
Ironically, routines can becometraps if you engage in

(03:29):
self-criticism because you failto meet your planned goals.
This brings stress into the mix, which is detrimental to
schizophrenia.
Your routine should serve you,not control you.
The symptoms of schizophreniacan be incredibly confusing, as
I have described in my podcastSchizophrenia as I Live it, and

(03:51):
on my blog.
That's where routine can beyour friend.
If your day has a routine, youhave something to look forward
to and lean on.
When you feel overwhelmed, youcan say to yourself things like
it's time to feed the wild birds, or it's time to watch a movie,
or it's time to watch a lecturefrom the great courses, or it's

(04:15):
time to clean the house and dosome gardening, or it's time to
play the piano.
If any of these are part ofyour daily routine, they can all
be done at home.
If you are experiencing aschizophrenic relapse or
psychotic break, the symptomscan completely overwhelm you and
no amount of organization willaddress them.

(04:36):
That's the point for me.
When I work with my doctors andreceive 24-7 support from my
spouse, I still write every day,whether I'm sick or well.
I write in my wellness, mentalhealth and anxiety journal,
again from Clever Fox.
Journaling is a powerful toolfor schizophrenia and mental

(04:58):
health generally.
This habit helps me get back ontrack by providing a space to
express the evolution of myrelapse.
I can also prevent a relapse,as I notice red flags in the
journal that I have indicatedmake trouble.
When I take antipsychoticmedication and medication for my

(05:20):
epilepsy, I strive to take themat the same time every day.
Most people take them at night,just before they go to sleep.
I sleep early, so I take themin the late afternoon and feel
fresh when I begin my next dayat 4am.
The medications are strong, soit is helpful to know exactly

(05:40):
when the post-medication part ofyour day will begin.
Maintaining good habits withyour medication is a routine
that should not be missed on anyday for someone living with
schizophrenia.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, including pleasant ones like
holidays an evening out orhaving friends over, I must take

(06:02):
my medications later.
However, I try to make this theexception rather than the rule.
Someone with schizophreniabenefits from a routine and a
writer benefits from a writingrhythm.
Managing my schizophrenia andwriting are allies for me,
working together to structure myday.
I hope you have a fantastic daytoday.

(06:25):
Goodbye from Diana Dirkby.
If you watch this on YouTube,please subscribe to my channel
and podcast, like my videos andcomment, thank you.