A Cozy Writing Day in My Life

Some writing days are pure chaos—last-minute edits, unexpected plot holes, and characters doing whatever they want. But on the best days? Writing feels like magic. Cozy, uninterrupted, completely immersive. Today, I’m sharing what my ideal writing day looks like (because let’s be honest, they don’t always go this smoothly).

If you love MM romance, cozy vibes, and behind-the-scenes content from authors, you might enjoy my latest book that's getting a refresh soon, Home in Nevada: a heartwarming childhood friends-to-lovers story.

Now, let’s dive into a cozy writing session!

Morning: Setting the Vibe

I like to start the day slow—because, seriously, nothing good happens to me before I have coffee and my brain has a chance to turn on. ☕

I’ll light a candle, turn on some lofi or soft indie music, and set up my space so it feels like a place I want to create in. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll make tea instead (but let’s be real, I'm a basic b*tch; I usually stick to coffee). I've been getting really into YouTube playlists featuring nature sounds, or soothing background music that I'll put up on the TV.

Before jumping into writing, I take a few minutes to review my notes—either from my outline or whatever chaos I left myself in the last session. The biggest takeaway here? The environment makes all the difference in my writing productivity and getting my head in the right place.

Afternoon: Deep Writing Mode

This is where the magic (or the suffering) happens. I dive into the story, sometimes re-reading the last few paragraphs to get into the right headspace. If I’m lucky, the words flow easily, and I get lost in the scene. If not… well, there’s a lot of staring at the screen and aggressively typing three words just to delete them.

Snacks are essential at this stage—granola, something sweet, or just an excuse to wander into the kitchen when I’m stuck. I've shared my favorite bookish snack on my Instagram before: gluten-free toast, PB, pecan halves, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey. It’s the perfect mix of cozy and distracting, which, let’s be honest, is half the reason for snacks in the first place.

"But Em, what do you do if you’re stuck? Just keep eating snacks?"

Well… yes. But also, here’s something I’ve learned through both writing and art: you can’t force creativity. If it’s not coming, it’s not coming. Staring at the screen won’t make it magically appear, and pushing through just leads to frustration. The trick is knowing when to step away—do something else, clear your mind, and come back when the creative spark wants to be there. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize those moments and how my brain works around them. It’s all about working with creativity, not against it. Once you learn how to do that, it starts feeling like one hell of a superpower.

Sometimes my writing day begins and ends there, with a creative block and a bookish snack. You can't get mad at yourself for that. The story will come to you when it's ready!

Evening: Wrapping Up (Or Not)

On a good day, I’ll wrap up feeling accomplished. On a realistic day, I’ll close my laptop mid-scene with a note to myself like, figure out what the hell Jeff is feeling here. Either way, I try to end on a high note—maybe by sketching a little art for the book, watching something that inspires me, or making a mental note of what I loved about the writing session. Because even when it’s frustrating, writing is still my favorite way to spend a cozy day. 💕

What’s your ideal cozy work day? Do you need music, a specific drink, or a comfort snack to focus?