Writer's Routine - Ken Follett

Introduction

• Hosted by Dan Simpson.
• Focuses on successful authors sharing their daily routines.
• Ken Follett, a celebrated author, is the episode’s guest.

Ken Follett's Career

• Sold over 178 million books across 80 countries.
• Known for historical fiction and the famous Kingsbridge series.
• New thriller: Never, about decisions possibly leading to World War III.

Writing Process

Daily Routine

• Wakes up between 5 and 6 AM; starts writing by 6 AM without getting dressed.
• Productive morning hours; works until mid-afternoon.
• Focuses on emails, tweets, and business post-writing.
• Ends day with leisure: plays backgammon, cooks, reads, or watches TV.

Workspace Setup

• Library in country house lined with bookshelves.
• Three-screen setup: main for writing, left for outline, right for character spreadsheet.
• Uses Microsoft Word with Constantia font.

Writing Method

• Starts with a detailed outline that takes up to a year to create.
• Aims for 5 pages a day (approx. 1250 words).
• Rewrites entire drafts instead of editing to improve sentence clarity.

Character Development

• Uses a spreadsheet to keep track of characters, their traits, and associated images.
• Dictionary of First Names helps in naming characters.
• Detailed character backgrounds contribute to realism.

Research and Inspiration

• Utilizes ring binders and organizes research meticulously.
• Engages in continuous research for current books and future projects.

Post-Book Processes

• After final draft approval, quickly moves to a new project.
• Takes about three years for a historical novel: one for outline, one for draft, one for rewrite.

Ken Follett's Philosophy

• Conscious of the responsibility towards employees and readers.
• Encourages clarity in writing; aims to create sentences that are immediately understood.
• Constantly seeks improvement and draws inspiration from other authors like Charles Dickens.

Conclusion

• Ken Follett's structured routine and disciplined approach contribute to his success.
• Upcoming guest: Joanne Harris, MBE, known for "Chocolat".