ANDRE BEGIN

When I first settled into retirement, in making time to pursue my aspirations as a full-time writer, I knew I was already on the right track in knowing with absolute certainty that my peak time for writing was the morning. For me, that is the time of day when I can start with a clean slate and to write from a clear mind.

There was one variable that I hadn’t fully accounted for in the equation: Ivy the Wonder Cat. Mornings have an entirely different meaning for her.

From the moment we both get up around 6:00 a.m., I am on butler duty.

The job description as a cat butler

In the first couple of hours after waking up, she needs her breakfast served promptly and she needs my attention… on her terms. Plus, in spring, summer and fall, a supervised walk around the property is a likely part of the morning routine.

There are other meows for assistance that vary from day to day. For example, there could also be a request to open a window for her to supervise the activity in the yard. There is also the catastrophe of when her food has been pushed up the sides of her bowl which, to her, feels like the bowl is empty.

Each request isn’t necessarily as straightforward as it sounds. Ivy might lead me to the door indicating an interest in a leash walk, but actually going outside could still be a few minutes away as she scurries for another bite of food or a quick trip to the bathroom before stepping out. She is a cat after all.

At first, I tried completing my butler tasks and then run up to my studio office to get some writing done until I was summoned for the next request. It worked to a point. But some mornings, I barely had time to get upstairs that she’d be meowing for something else.

The challenge was in trying to do a good job as a writer, with progressively louder meowing echoing through the staircase, which would break my flow, which then increased my frustration level, which then further distracted me from my writing.

One morning, after being paged one time too many, I thought to myself, why fight it? I started thinking of ways to adapt my creative process to better incorporate my on-call obligations to Miss Ivy.

It was time for a change

I decided that at the end of any writing session, I would print paper copies of my current works in progress and place them on a clipboard along with a red pen. Then, the next day, rather than going directly upstairs after serving Ivy her breakfast, I would work in the kitchen, editing the work from the day before with a fresh pair of eyes.

In doing so, I could remain visible and accessible to Ivy. She wouldn’t have to call and then wait on hold until I responded. (Don’t we all hate it when that happens?) I could get up from the dining room table at any time, complete the assigned task, and then seamlessly return to where I left off in my editing effort.

Once I started in this pattern of higher visibility and responding sooner, she was much calmer, knowing that I truly had her back during that block of time. At the same time, I didn’t feel that I was being taken away from my work. Win-win!

It was easy to make the adjustment because I knew that once her needs have been met, she finds a comfy spot and puts her head down for her morning nap, usually between 7:30 and 8:00. Then, I hardly hear from her until lunch time.

In addition, in hovering around the kitchen I was also within proximity of the tasks I would have been doing during breaks throughout the morning like putting away dishes, washing her bowls from the day before, scooping the litter boxes, taking out the garbage and touching up the bathrooms.

By completing these tasks while running editing options through my head, when I was truly free to go upstairs, I could shift my focus entirely on my writing.

The benefits I hadn’t expected

What was most surprising to me were the ideas and wording I could come up with so early in the morning, even when the coffee hadn’t fully kicked in yet nor the actual power of speech. I also found more thoroughness in my reviews, adding value to my storytelling style.

I was finding the quality of my finished work improving, with greater depth, insight and emotional reach. The newer stories were seemingly striking a chord with readers, attracting more page views and comments.

The bonus is that with every iteration of editing in the peace and serenity of a quiet world just waking up, I truly feel like an artist, slowly polishing each work of art until it shines.

Also, this editing routine was a great warm-up exercise for the more concentrated work to follow later in the morning.

Lessons learned

I was able to advance my writing just maybe not on the way I had originally planned. With the positive results I achieved, this change in approach became a life lesson in paying attention and in accepting the inevitable.

At this time of day, Ivy needs me. When her needs are met, she is off for her morning nap and I am relieved of that obligation. The trick was finding a writing activity that fit into that block of time but during which Ivy could still feel seen.

In having adapted my routine, not only was I better able to meet my obligations to a very demanding boss, but I was able to produce higher quality stories that captivated the interest of a wider audience.

For those reasons, I think it is safe to say that through these early morning editing sessions that fit well around Ivy’s routine, I have the cat to thank for helping improve the quality of my writing.

Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André