S. W. Raine

People often wonder what a day in the life of a fantasy author looks like. Is it all about sipping coffee from ornate mugs, typing furiously in cozy corners, and losing track of time while dreaming up battles and conspiracies?

Unfortunately, it’s not. Being an author—especially a steampunk and urban fantasy author—is a little more structured and a little less whimsical… but it’s still full of small, quiet moments of magic. Between working on my novels, client work, family responsibilities, and the occasional burst of inspiration that strikes at the most inconvenient of times, my days are a balancing act.

So, what does a day in the life of a fantasy author actually look like? Let me show you.

5:30 A.M. – The Quiet Time

I’m up at 5:30 a.m. because my husband is up for work. The house is dark and still, lit only by the glow of my laptop and the soft shimmer of faerie lights—well, “still” unless I’m breaking up a pre-dawn cat skirmish in the living room.

These early hours are when my focus is sharpest, and I make the most of them. I start with proofreading client work because deadlines and immediate payments come first. If there’s nothing there, I move to my own writing projects.

Some mornings, I’m drafting, letting the words flow freely. Other mornings, I’m editing existing chapters, tightening sentences, and refining scenes. And yes, there are days when I stare at the blinking cursor, or worse, sit frozen in task paralysis and overwhelm.

But I show up anyway because this quiet time sets the tone for the day ahead.

7:00 A.M. – Breakfast and PBS Kids

When my son wakes up, my focus shifts. Breakfast is served, the school schedule is checked, and I tackle a quick load of laundry.

Then we settle in together and watch PBS Kids. It’s not a ritual or a mindful pause—it’s just time spent with my son, simple and easy. Sometimes he tells me stories, his imagination running wild with his own fanfiction adventures. Other times, we play. Whatever feels right in the moment.

9:00 A.M. – Social Media and Schoolwork

As my son starts his online school classes, I settle in for social media engagement. This is lighter work, like responding to comments, posting in my Stories, and interacting with my readers. It’s something I can easily pause when my son needs help or the teacher needs to talk to his learning coach (hint: that’s me).

These hours are a balancing act between keeping a digital presence alive and being present for my son’s schooling.

11:00 A.M. – Lunchtime Pause

At 11:00 a.m., we break for lunch. It’s a simple hour with a meal, a little downtime, and usually a cartoon or two in the background.

Lunchtime is a reset, a chance to breathe before diving into the afternoon. My notebook is always nearby, not for story ideas, but for to-do lists and reminders for things I need to tackle later, tasks I can’t let slip through the cracks.

12:00 P.M. – Creating Content in the Gaps

The afternoon is dedicated to content creation. While my son attends his classes, I draft and edit social media posts, create images, and schedule content.

It’s creative work but flexible enough to be set aside if I’m needed. These tasks aren’t always flashy, but they’re essential in keeping the gears turning on the author side and proofing biz side of my world.

1:30 P.M. – Deep Work, Round Two

When my son finishes his online classes at 1:30 p.m. and starts on his homework, I return to my deep work zone.

Just like in the morning, I begin with any proofreading work that needs my attention before shifting focus to my own novel. These hours are focused and deliberate until my husband gets home.

3:30 P.M. – Evenings: Family and Focus

This part of a day in the life of a fantasy author is a blend of family time and focused work, depending on the day.

My husband gets home at 3:30 p.m. After wrapping up homework and tying off loose ends from the afternoon, the evening settles into one of two rhythms:

If my son has swim class, I use that time to double down on proofreading or writing/editing until he gets home. Once we’re all back together, whether he had swim class or not, the rest of the evening is for dinner, downtime, and a family binge-watch of our current favorite show (Power Rangers is holding strong right now. We’re halfway through Zeo).

6:00 P.M. – Free Time With a Side of Magic

While my son and husband bond over video games, I get some free time.

This could mean a call with my social media manager, learning with masterclasses, or just chilling out on the couch playing games on my phone. The quiet moments are necessary to restore my batteries.

8:00 P.M. – Final Push with Accountability Buddies

As night settles in, I join my accountability groups—different circles of writers, depending on the day. On Mondays, we kick things off a little earlier at 7:00 p.m., but most nights, these sessions start at 8:00 p.m.. We meet virtually, share our goals, and spend an hour or two tackling our projects together.

There’s something deeply motivating about working alongside others, even across a screen. These sessions offer a sense of community, shared focus, and the gentle nudge of accountability that keeps the gears turning.

Eventually, the session wraps up, and then it’s time to wind down with my husband. We go to bed around 10 p.m., prepared to do it all over again.

Weekends: For Whimsy and Recharge

Weekends are reserved for in-person events, family outings, or simple downtime.

The world of an author doesn’t always follow a neat schedule, but I’ve learned the importance of carving out space for rest. Inspiration often visits when I stop chasing it.

And that’s a glimpse into a typical day in the life of a fantasy author—structured, busy, but sprinkled with small moments of magic. It’s not always glamorous, and it’s certainly not always efficient, but it’s mine.

Which part of my day feels most familiar to you? Or, if you could borrow one tool from a steampunk inventor or urban mage to help with your daily routine, what would it be? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Raine