Welcome! Creative Rituals is a fun blog of mine featuring creatives and their rituals. Creatives talk about how they start their creative day, as well as give you more insight into their work. It’s a perfect opportunity to demystify the creative experience, and maybe even inspire!
P.A. Cornell – Author
Today’s guest creative is Chilean-Canadian author P.A. Cornell!
What Do You Do to Start Your Creative Day?
My life can be unpredictable, so a lot can vary when it comes to how I approach each day, but one thing that’s consistent is I have a cup of tea before I do anything else. The teas change, because I like variety, but the ritual remains the same. It doesn’t have to be caffeinated either. I don’t feel that caffeine makes me feel more awake or alert, so it’s not a requirement. Ideally, I’m able to sit and maybe read a bit while enjoying said tea without any interruptions beyond my cats asking for pets.
I’m not really a breakfast person, so after tea, I get ready for the day, during which time I’ll usually listen to music or maybe a podcast. If it’s music, I dance while I get ready.
This gets me into an energized but simultaneously relaxed mood that’s perfect for tackling whatever work I set out to complete that morning. If time allows and the weather’s nice, I try to squeeze in a walk too. This is a great time for letting my mind wander so I can work through how I’m going to write a particular scene (or just for fun).
Creator Bio
P.A. Cornell is a Chilean-Canadian speculative fiction writer. A graduate of the Odyssey workshop, her stories have been published in over fifty magazines and anthologies, including Lightspeed, Apex, and three “Best of” anthologies. In addition to becoming the first Chilean Nebula finalist in 2024, Cornell has been a finalist for the Aurora and World Fantasy Awards, was longlisted for the BSFA Awards, and won Canada’s Short Works Prize. When not writing, she can be found assembling intricate Lego builds or drinking ridiculous quantities of tea. Sometimes both.
For more on the author and her work, visit her website pacornell.com.
Thank you, P.A., for being a guest today!
Write on!
Jendia