GRWM featuring Mila Jaroniec
GRWM (Get Ready With Me) is a new (and dare I say sexy!) segment where I'll be interviewing writers retro-style-- cute little questionnaires about what writers are wearing, listening to, snacking on, etc. We want to know what they're into and what gives them the ick. We want writing prompts based on their books. We want to know their favorite song, the worst writing advice they've ever received, and you better believe we want to know their brunch order.
It's time to stop asking writers the same boring questions and start getting REAL.
What does getting ready for writing look like for you?
On weekdays, I get my son ready for school and he’s on the bus by 8:00 a.m., so after that I walk the dogs and feed them. Then I make coffee, the dogs go to sleep, and I get in the chair. Sometimes I freehand write/journal first or pull a Tarot card if I need to settle in, but either way, I’m in the manuscript by 9:00. On weekends, if my son is at his dad’s, my husband makes coffee and takes care of the dogs, and I get to work as soon as I’m out of bed.
What does your writing space look and feel like?
I have a blue office—blue chair, blue couch, blue pillows, blue dog beds, everything—so it’s really moody and airy, and a window-facing desk, which I try to keep clear of clutter. I use my desk for everything though, so if it’s not clear in the morning I just move the books and papers off to the couch so I don’t see them while writing. I know now not to organize off top, because if I start putting things away I’ll get distracted and end up spending the day rearranging the bookshelf or whatever. So I have my laptop, a ceramic cup of pens my son made in art class, a slice of blue agate that serves as a coaster, and a notebook. It’s my sanctuary.
What’s your outfit of choice for a writing session?
My evergreen writing look is a pair of my husband’s sweatpants—I have commandeered several, as I don’t personally own sweatpants—fuzzy socks, and a White Fox hoodie! My 13-year-old niece asked for one for her birthday, and I got one, too, to make the free shipping minimum. Turns out the hoodies from this random Gen Z TikTok brand are the softest, warmest, cocooniest hoodies I’ve ever worn, which is saying a lot since I’m always freezing. I have six of them now.
What are you listening to?
I write in total silence, actually! Music is distracting because I get locked in and really listen, then start messing around with playlists, reading artist bios…I’ve figured out I can’t let anything else in when I’m trying to write, or it’ll take over. Plus I read passages out loud to myself so I need quiet to really feel how they sound. The only noise is birdsong until Beast starts to scream.
What are you snacking on and or drinking?
The classic beverage trifecta—coffee, water, and seltzer.
What time of day do you write?
In the mornings. Nights are for reading.
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