I’m John Scalzi and This Is How I Work
John Scalzi is a Hugo Award-winning science fiction author. He is also an occasional columnist, a regular (and often fun) blogger, an active tweeter , a TV consultant, and many more. And when people mention Scalzi’s name, it is usually followed by “how does he write so much?”
The answer, apparently, is to sit at a corner table with a ukulele at the ready. His latest novel is The End of Everything , part of his Old Man’s War series, which will be released next week. This is actually just a coincidence: people kept talking to me about John, talking about who they would like to see in the figure, so we reached out to find out a little about how he works – and, as it turns out, there is a new book. because when it comes to John Scalzi, there is always a new book.
Location: Bradford, Ohio. Current Job: Writer, mostly for science fiction novels, but occasionally for science fiction books , rubrics, and video games . Since 1998, I have also run a mostly daily blog “ Anyway” . I tweet an annoying amount of tweets. One word that best describes the way you work: Bathrobically Up-to-date mobile device: Droid Turbo Current computer: Desktop computer is Cyberpower Zeus Mini-I 980 with Acer 4k Gsync monitor . I use it for writing. Yeah, that’s all. Laptops are Dell XPS 12 (flip-up) and Asus Chromebook Flip.
What apps, software or tools can’t you live without? What do you use for writing?
For writing, I use Word or Google Docs , depending on the project (shorter projects are usually in Docs; longer projects are usually in Word). I have writer friends who swear by Scrivener, but honestly I don’t get it; it’s too complicated for my own writing process. In any case, Word is the standard of the publishing industry, so sooner or later it will still fall into it.
I am using WordPress web interface to write on my blog. For Twitter, I use the Tweetdeck web interface even on my mobile devices because I mute a truck of nasty people and don’t want them to have to mute multiple Twitter apps. Facebook I also prefer to use the web interface even on mobile devices because their strategy of fetching parts of the mobile interface as separate apps is tedious and silly. I use Gmail and Google Inbox interchangeably.
I photograph a lot on my blog and elsewhere. I use aNikon D5100 or Droid Turbo to take photos, process them with Photoshop and / or CameraBag 2 , and then save them using Flickr , which I’m used to and enjoy working with. For casual audio work, I use a Blue Yeti microphone and Adobe Audition for processing.
How is your workplace arranged?
I have a home office with custom shelving and writing desk built for me by the local Overholser Cabinets . As a writer, I need many, many bookshelves, and even so my workplace is overflowing with them. My desk is specially designed to be small so as not to distract attention. It contains my monitor, my computer (which is relatively small and hidden behind the monitor), my landline phone – yes, I still have it – my Blue Yeti and Amazon Echo , which I use mainly for playing music. I hold the ukulele when I think about the plot and I need to keep my hands busy, otherwise they will reflexively check their email.
What’s your best time-saver or life hack?
When I write a novel or other long project, I turn off the internet from 8 am to noon. This is when I am generally most motivated and creative.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
Not what, who: my wife Christina, who will remind me to do important things when necessary. Likewise, during the book tour, my publicist and media curators keep me on schedule. When I don’t rely on either one or the other, I use Google Calendar because I’m already fairly integrated into the Google ecosystem, which means I don’t have to think much about it.
What device, besides a phone and a computer, can you not live without and why?
For my recent travels, I have a pair of Acoustic Noise Canceling Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones that have saved me from killing hundreds of people on planes.
Have you ever written without a computer? Have you used or are using a typewriter or pen and paper?
The very first Mac came in my freshman year of high school, when I started to get serious about writing, so in fact my writing process is very closely related to the use of computers. Except for the rare school poetry or lyrics (which you don’t want to see, trust me), everything I’ve ever written is digital.
Are you always working on something? Or when you finish a project, do you take the time to let your mind wander without worrying about what comes next?
I recently signed a long-term contract with Tor Books , so in a way I know what I’m going to do in the next decade and I will always have something “next” to write. But it also comes with the luxury of not having to look for a job to pay off your mortgage. So when I finish writing a novel or a big work, I usually take a week or two to relax, during which my brain sits there and just “duuuuuuu” for a while.
What are some of your best everyday activities? What’s your secret?
I can handle harsh comments faster than most people I know, and when you meet people I know, that’s an achievement. Here is my favorite story about this skill with Terry Pratchett . I think it’s genetic; my child has it too.
What do you listen to while you work?
I usually don’t listen to music when I write novels or serious projects because it distracts me. For less time-consuming projects (or doing housework such as answering emails), I will listen to jazz standards, classical music, or 80s pop tunes, usually through Rhapsody’s “unRadio” channels. I don’t listen to new music when I am doing something that requires significant mental effort; I am distracted. Save new music for downtime.
What are you reading now?
Just finished Neil Stevenson’s Seveneus . I’m currently writing an art project, so I mostly avoid other fiction so I don’t subconsciously (or consciously!) Steal tone or plot elements from what I’m reading. When I’m done, Season Five , NK Jemisin’s new book, is due out, so this is probably next.
How do you replenish?
Taking naps, playing video games, and hanging out with family. I’m boring!
What is your sleep routine?
When I’m at home, I usually go to bed at about 10:00 pm, because a) I’m old, b) with the help of DVRs, you can watch materials late and earlier. A pet often wakes me up around 2 or 3 because pets are such terrible people, and then I get up for an hour or so, which I usually spend reading social media. Then I fall asleep again. I usually get up completely around 8 in the morning. Unless I am! I am a writer! I work from home! I don’t need to get up! Bwa ha ha ha ha!
When I’m touring or participating in events, I tend to fall asleep shortly after the event ends (if it’s an evening event) because inevitably I have a 6am flight, which means I have to get up two hours early. … I can take a nap on the plane. It’s not optimal, but that’s what touring is like.
Fill in the blank: I would like _________ to answer these same questions.
Charlie Kindel , Director of Product for Alexa and Echo at Amazon (and a former high school classmate of mine).
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Life is not a zero sum game.
What else would you like to add that might be of interest to readers and fans?
Depending on when it happens, my latest novel, The End of Everything, either just came out or is about to come out on August 11th.
Besides, I’m standing right behind you right now. Try not to panic.