Writers like me live our lives waiting for the extraordinary. That one defining moment when the call or the offer comes rolling in, like an enormous ocean wave preparing to create a big splash in our lives. We hope. We wait.

Just for kicks and giggles as they say, here is an ordinary day in the life of an ordinary writer like me …

6:30 am: California sunshine comes streaming through the window blinds. Time to start another day. The house is quiet. I do a little reading and thoughtful meditation.

More recently, I’ve subscribed to Jane Yolen’s poem for the day. Waking to a new poem in my inbox from Jane is an inspiring way to start the morning.

7:30 am: Breakfast is usually oatmeal or a bagel and a cup of tea, and after the getting-ready-for-the-day routine is done, I check my primary emails.

8:30-9:30: Sometimes an educational editor/publisher will respond to my query’s and request additional writing samples, or maybe they will inform me that I’ve been placed on a list for future writer-for-hire assignments. I will reply to those emails.

Other times, I will get an email from my agent. A few weeks ago she wrote that my MG novel, The Wanderings of Abby Rose went out to a few editors. There isn’t much I can do but wait. Though I do spend more needless hours than I should fretting and thinking, “If only one, just one editor would love it like we do … if only.”

There are other times when my email brings rejection letters. On those days I treat myself to ice cream or cookies or both. Sometimes cake too. Cake makes everything better, don’t you think?

But many many days, my email is crickets. Crickets rubbing their spindly legs together, chirping the song of silence. Complete and utter nothingness. A void.

9:30 to 9:45: A quick look at social media. It’s always nice to scroll down a Twitter feed and read about the milestones and setbacks of my fellow writers. In times past, this would depress me, but focusing on being a support to my peers by replying, retweeting, and liking their posts makes me feel like I’m contributing, like I’m giving them a little boost for the day.

9:45 to 11:45: Writing. Or sometimes revisions. And getting ready to teach school. My son does an online high school through Texas Tech University where my hubby got his undergraduate degree. I’m always nearby if he has a question.

Sometimes while he works, I’ll pause from what I’m doing, and gaze outside the window. Sometimes I imagine what it would feel like to see my novel in print, on the shelf in a bookstore, and in my hands, a real living breathing book.

Noon to 1: Lunch and returning texts and personal phone calls.

1-3: More schoolwork and writing and reading. More checking of emails.

3-bedtime: Preparing and having dinner. Chatting with the hubby and son about our day. More wondering and dreaming and hoping. And maybe a little tv watching.

My days aren’t always this structured, and usually many other personal events are happening throughout the day too, but this is an overall idea of what a typical day in the life of a writer looks like.

I’m not certain how other writers spend their days. But this writer loves to spend a little time each day dreaming of the possibility of what might someday be.