Several months into the process of writing my first book, friends started asking, “How do you get into the flow of writing?” 

 

 

“Wait, you’re writing to Adele? Like, she’s your target reader?”

 

I laughed. 

 

The truth is, I don’t imagine that I'm writing to Adele, but she was right there, singing in my headphones as I typed away.

 

During my “Writing Wednesdays” (I was teaching 4 days a week last school year, and was off school to work on writing every Wednesday), turning on Adele's music became one of my go-to rituals — along with starting the morning by “lifting a line” from a daily quote app in my writer’s notebook, drafting chapters on my daughter’s school Chromebook, and watching clips of The Great British Bake Off during lunch breaks. I developed my own consistent rituals for my Wednesdays.  

 

Famous authors are known to have their own quirky rituals too. Brené Brown lights a candle to get into her writing zone. Malcolm Gladwell writes in noisy cafés, fueled by caffeine and conversation. Maya Angelou used to rent a hotel room, clearing out every distraction, down to the art on the walls. Each of these routines might sound a bit quirky, but they all create that spark — the one that nudges the mind into flow. It’s a reminder that even small choices can help us shape the routine we need to keep creating.

 

For me, every Wednesday morning, my writing ritual would begin: I would start my Adele music playlist with “Hello” (because, of course), flipping a mental switch that shifted me into hyperdrive and set the day’s rhythm for hitting my writing goals.

 

Soundtracks have always been part of my writing process. Back when I was tackling my master’s thesis, it was Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday on repeat. Every Saturday, I’d bunker down in the Columbia University library, and as soon as I hit “play”, it was like my mind knew what to do. 

 

Music can have that effect. It helps provide focus, inspiration, and also sets the mood. Beyond that, music creates a kind of 'writing zone,' blocking out distractions and helping me tap into emotional depth or specific memories. A steady beat can keep the writing rhythm flowing, and familiar melodies can reduce stress and make the process feel lighter. Lyrics and song titles can also inspire ideas and writing. 

 

A little shout-out to the Spice Girls here. Yes, the rhythm of “Spice Up Your Life” was one of the first things I thought of when we chose the book title “Tidy Up Your Life”, and I love the idea of tidying your life leading to life being more interesting!

 

So, no — I don’t actually write to Adele, but as soon as her music is playing, I am transported right back to the book writing flow. And who knows? With Tidy Up Your Life also being published in the UK, maybe Adele will get to read it someday.

 

Cheers to the power of music, creative rituals, and whatever it takes for you to get your thoughts, feelings and words out of your head and onto the page!

 

 

Lift a Line: This is one of my favorite writing strategies (and one I love using in the classroom with my students). Start with a line that sticks with you — a lyric, a quote, or even something from an old letter. Write it at the top of your page.

 

Let this line do the work of pulling you in. What memories or feelings does it stir up? Follow where it leads, like a trail you’re exploring one step at a time.

 

You may be surprised at what unfolds when you start from a seemingly simple line.

P.S. - If you want to read previous editions of this “Behind the Stories” series (including a video of my FULL stand-up comedy routine from last fall), check out the archives! 

P.P.S - Emily, the girls, and I had a night to remember on Monday at the World Premiere of Spellbound! We kicked things off at the screening in Manhattan, then headed across the street to The Plaza Hotel to rub elbows at the after-party. I’ve got stories galore about movie stars (yes, that includes Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem!), some of Bravo TV’s Real Housewives (side note: the series played a major role in my book-writing process), and a certain unforgettable boss from 30 Rock (yep, Liz Lemon’s!). I’m speaking in code, but let’s just say… it was legendary. And the girls have officially declared it “the best night ever!” It was truly one of those “only in New York City” kind of evenings. Oh, and in case you're wondering—no, Adele didn’t pop in for a surprise sing-along, but I half expected her to!