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Since
she started writing stories down in notebooks 25 years ago, Nora Roberts
has used discipline and talent in equal measure.
Early in her career, she worked her writing in between her sons’
pre-school and nap schedules every day. When they were both in school
full time, her writing schedule mirrored theirs, although she put in
extra hours over the weekend. Now, after 151 books and countless
bestsellers, she writes eight hours a day
-- every day.
Her
office, on the top floor of her home, reflects the hard work that goes
on there as well as the rewards that work reaps.
The walls are filled with framed covers of her books.
On the shelves, awards compete with Nora’s various collections
of crystal figures, whimsical wizards and dragons. Her computer is housed on a desk in front of a large picture
window that looks out into the woods behind her home. A comfortable sofa
completes the warm, charming room
A
perfect day in Nora’s opinion has no interruptions during her hours of
writing. “I don’t get
many perfect days,” she admits. A
more typical day starts with a workout in the pool or on her elliptical
trainer, then up to work. After
running through her e-mail and logging onto the various Internet sites
where her fans gather, she dives into the work at hand.
There’s
a short break at midday to check e-mail that has come in or to read and
post on the on-line boards. Then
she’s done around four or five and heads down to fix dinner for
herself and her husband, Bruce. If
a book is moving well or she was interrupted throughout the day,
she’ll go back up and write for another hour or two in the evening.
With
her publishing schedule there are frequently galleys of upcoming
releases to read, but those are relegated to the evening.
“Daylight hours are writing hours,” Nora says firmly.
Otherwise she relaxes by reading or watching some television with
Bruce.
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