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Finding stability in creative chaos has been my lifelong journey as a fiction writer living with schizophrenia. Drawing wisdom from master storyteller Walter Mosley's advice on daily writing routines, I've discovered powerful connections between maintaining creative discipline and managing mental health challenges.

My mornings belong to fiction writing—after coffee, breakfast, and digital newspapers, of course. This dedicated creative time, respected by my spouse and protected in my schedule, provides essential structure that benefits both my novels and my mind. When symptoms of schizophrenia threaten to overwhelm with confusion and disorientation, these established routines become anchors in the storm. Simple activities—feeding wild birds, watching films, housekeeping, gardening, playing piano—transform into meaningful touchstones that guide me through difficult days.

Organization tools like planners help me visualize and maintain this framework without becoming trapped by rigidity. Even during relapses or psychotic episodes, I continue writing through journaling, which serves dual purposes: maintaining my creative practice while tracking mental health patterns and warning signs. Similarly, medication management requires its own carefully crafted schedule—I take antipsychotics and epilepsy medications in late afternoon rather than evening, accommodating my 4am wake-up time. The beautiful synchronicity I've found is that the discipline required for successful writing directly enhances my mental health management, and vice versa. Whether you're a writer, someone managing mental health challenges, or both, I hope my experiences offer insight into the profound power of thoughtful routines. Subscribe to my channel and podcast for more on living creatively with schizophrenia, and share your own routine strategies in the comments!

#WritingRoutine, #WritingTips, #WritingProductivity, #SchizophreniaAwareness, #MentalHealth #MentalHealthWriting, #WritingforWellness

References and online Links
Walter Mosley: Course “Teaches Fiction and Storytelling, Masterclass app.

Clever Fox Planner Pro (visit https://amzn.to/437AUVA).

Clever Fox Mental Health & Anxiety Journal (visit https://amzn.to/3FXGwtQ)

The Clever Fox links are Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Overlife, A Tale of Schizophrenia, by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/454WgW6).

“Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/42Z81KY).

The links to my books are Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

website: https://dianadirkbywrites.com (fiction writing)

website: https://aussiemathematician.io/ (mathematics)

Blog: https://dianadirkbywrites.com/blogs/

Podcast: Schizophrenia As I Live It (audio)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2186769.

Podcast: Fractured Ink: Writing in Life’s Chaos (video) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUxDLjcuok9SMcaBbm3M7KNpNztvZ73H0

Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/)

Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor)

X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby)

YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company