Since he burst onto the literary scene in 1982 with The spirit housethe Chilean writer Isabel Allende He built a career as extensive as it was renowned. More than four decades after that debut, his best seller most emblematic arrives this April 29 on Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, he has just released a new book: The magic word.
However, for fans, his literary universe is almost as fascinating as his routine. At 83 years old, author maintains an almost unalterable discipline what seems to be the true driving force of his creativity and success.
Isabel Allende’s work routine at 83 years old: habits, discipline, inspiration and advice for writers
For years now, Allende has begun to create a new literary world, always on the same date. “I am incredibly disciplined. I start writing all the books on January 8th, so by January 7th everyone knows that I will start the next day and therefore I need a lot of space and silence”, he reports.
Plus, your day doesn’t start when you sit down at your desk, but long before. “I get up very early. I wake up around 5 in the morning, I make myself a cup of coffee and I sit in bed for at least half an hour to collect my thoughts. and feel gratitude,” he says in dialogue with Service95, the website founded by Dua Lipa, the book-loving British singer.
After that moment of introspection, your routine continues with a series of habits that combine well-being, intellectual stimulation and long hours of concentrated work. “I wake up in a bed with two dogs and my husband. My window faces the lagoon, so I see the sun rise over it, which is amazing. After I exercise, like every dayand I also listen to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on the radio station music classic”, describe.
Later, it is time to get down to work: “Then I work in silence for many hours, except when I meet my team for lunch and we eat sushi or Thai food. I used to work eight hours without interruptions, but now I feel the need to see people!”
Even in moments of leisure, literature is still present. The author of The wind knows my name confessed that When he is in the car he listens to audiobooks. Regarding the writers who are part of his reading universe, he detailed:
“Hay authors that I always read: the great writers of the boom in Latin American literature, such as Mario Vargas Llosa. No matter what they write, I read it, because it is part of my culture. Furthermore, I am always looking for new Latin American writers, especially women.”
Her way of working also includes an unusual decision for those who write from home: dressing as if she were going out. “I’m never in my pajamas at my desk! «I dress as if I were going to the opera, so that there is a separation between my free time and my work.»
Coffee, meanwhile, is another of the pillars of their day. «For recharge energy… I just need coffee. Always coffee. “My husband is horrified because even after all the coffee I drink during the day, I sleep like a baby.”
And while discipline is essential, inspiration also often appears in everyday places. That is why feeding it with other cultural consumption is key, as Allende confesses: “My husband and I watch television together every night and “I find a lot of inspiration in the programs.”
Finally, Isabel gives advice to writing fans: “Don’t expect your writing to give you fame, or money, or even for your work to be published. Write because you love the process, because it is a wonderful thing.”
