What I’m working on:
I’m currently working on an exciting mix of projects. Wearing my journalist hat, I am working on a couple of story ideas about how climate change affects the lesser-known African primates and how science is saving one of the most diverse floral kingdoms, and I’m also developing a couple of pitches for stories based in Oceania. I’m also working on a few institutional writing projects. And I write a monthly column about life with pets sprinkled with science, and a weekly column about something interesting in science, so these are always on the list.
With my fact-checker’s hat on, I am fact-checking a science-heavy audio podcast. When I have time between these projects, I have fun writing a couple of fictional short stories and sharing them with my library writing group.
Where I work:
If you are wondering why I’m wearing so many hats, it’s because my city is one of the foggiest places in the world and is cold and wet for a good part of the year. I am based in St. John’s, Canada, the most easterly part of North America, excluding Greenland. It’s a vibrant little city famed for the visiting icebergs and the colorful jelly bean houses. In the summer, the spotlight is on the whales, puffins, and capelin runs.
As a freelancer, my workspace is 10 steps away from my kitchen. I work out of a cozy bedroom-turned-into-office with a desk, a comfortable chair, and a bookshelf—all black. From my chair, I have an uninterrupted view of the European starlings building their nests, robins calling out from the trees, and busy goldfinches hopping from one twig to another. Often, I’m staring out of the window more than I’m writing. During the summer, when it’s not too windy, I love working at the park or in our backyard garden, where I have a makeshift desk.
My office desk is often messy, with notebooks, pens, to-do lists, handwritten notes, and books strewn around. I also have a DIY “vision board” to remind me of my goals and push me to work!
Daily routine:
My day starts at 7:00 a.m. with an hour-long walk with my dog, Pippi, in a beautiful park steps away. As Pippi sniffs every blade of grass, I think of my day’s to-dos, the structure of a story I’m working on, or an idea I’d like to pitch and write about.
I start my work day at around 9:00, catching up on emails and making my to-do list. I am a big fan of co-working. At 9:30 Newfoundland time (we have a special time zone), I join the London Writers’ Salon’s Writers’ Hour to get some uninterrupted writing or reading done. After a short tea break at about 11:30, I’m back to work and attend another Writers’ Hour at 12:30 p.m. Often, these sessions put me in the flow, and I continue working past the one-hour mark.
In the afternoons, I host a few virtual co-working sessions with a couple of science writers on my small Discord group, where we get more work done. I try to wrap up the day by around 6:00 p.m., and after my partner returns from work, we take Pippi out for another walk before dinner. This year, I have consciously made efforts not to work through the evening like I used to. Instead, I read a book or watch a show online before going to bed.
Most productive part of my day:
I find co-working sessions very productive because there is a focused group trying to get things done, and there’s accountability. Early mornings are best for charging up the creative part of my brain.
Most essential ritual or habit:
A walk in the morning is a must—for Pippi and for me! The cold air clears my head quite a bit. I also must have a to-do list before I start my work day. I love the dopamine rush when I cross off tasks at the end of the day.
Favorite note-taking techniques/tools:
I’m old school when it comes to note-taking—I have a notebook and a few colored pens. I write as I read, and I find that helps with my brain activity. I make a bunch of notes in my book, sketch out my structure on paper, and then type it all up on my laptop.
How I keep track of my to-do list:
I have a dollar-store-bought to-do list. I often write “Morning Pages” (again, in a notebook—nothing fancy). When my brain is overwhelmed with tasks, writing them out helps me plan with clarity.
Essential software/apps/productivity tools:
Recently, I have begun using Toggl Track for time-tracking. When I have an intense writing task at hand, I practice the Pomodoro Technique with a kitchen timer, because phones and switching browser tabs can send me into the no-exit world of doomscrolling. Google Docs is where I do all my online writing, because I don’t have to fear losing unsaved work.
Favorite time waster/procrastination habit:
Ooh! I have many! It’s spring now, so I’m watching the birds from my window. I’m making a mental list of everything that the European starling is using to build its nest in our shed. I solve sudoku to procrastinate for a few minutes. I love cooking—so to procrastinate I’m cooking my partner’s favorite dish when I should instead write. There’s always the dishwasher to fill or empty, right? I’m not even going to start about being on the phone.
But my to-do list helps me stay on track and get things done.
My reading habits:
I try to read at least one long-form article every other day—in print or online—on science, geopolitics, or culture. Although not strictly considered reading, I love listening to podcasts when I am doing chores, or catching up on the amazing content put out by the many independent journalists from India on their YouTube channels.
I’m fortunate to live in a city blessed with a great literary community. I read works by my fellow library writing-group members to critique or share feedback. My latest read is a children’s book called When the Ocean Came to Town. I’m discovering some local authors and Newfoundland history with books like The Random Passage, Trains of Newfoundland, and Message in a Bottle.
Sleep schedule:
By around 10:00 p.m., I’m in bed with a book in hand. My partner and I solve a Guardian crossword before we slip into sleep.