The 20 Weirdest Writing Habits of Iconic Authors

Honoré de Balzac – 50 Cups of Coffee a Day

Honoré de Balzac’s devotion to caffeine is the stuff of literary legend. He reportedly downed up to 50 cups of black coffee every day, fueling marathon writing sessions that sometimes stretched 15 hours without a break. This extreme routine wasn’t just a quirky preference—it was a survival strategy for a man who aimed to produce novels at a breakneck pace. Balzac’s output was nothing short of jaw-dropping, with more than 90 works before his death in 1850. He once claimed that “the coffee falls into your stomach, and straightaway there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move, things remembered arrive at full gallop.” While today’s doctors would shudder at the thought, Balzac’s obsession with coffee offers a glimpse into the manic energy behind some of France’s greatest novels.

Friedrich Schiller – Rotten Apples in Desk Drawer

Friedrich Schiller, the German playwright and philosopher, wasn’t satisfied with a tidy writing desk. Instead, he kept rotting apples in his drawer, convinced that the heady, decaying scent sparked his imagination. Schiller’s wife and friends confirmed this odd ritual, reporting that the stench was sometimes unbearable. Despite the unpleasant aroma, Schiller produced classics like “William Tell” and “Ode to Joy.” Modern science does suggest that smells can trigger emotional and creative responses in the brain, so maybe Schiller was onto something after all. Still, few would envy his work environment—unless they were looking for a way to clear the room.

Agatha Christie – Plotted Murders in the Bathtub

Agatha Christie, the unrivaled queen of crime fiction, often hatched her intricate murder plots while luxuriating in the bathtub. She liked to snack on apples during these waterlogged brainstorming sessions, finding that the calming environment freed her mind to weave her famously tangled stories. Christie once admitted, “Plots come to me at such odd moments: when I am walking along a street, or examining a hat shop, or in a bath.” With over 80 novels to her name, her method clearly worked. Her bathtub strategy proves that sometimes the best ideas bubble up when you’re most relaxed.

Victor Hugo – Writing Naked

Victor Hugo, author of “Les Misérables,” went to extreme lengths to outsmart his own procrastination. When facing a deadline, he would instruct his valet to lock away all his clothes, leaving him stark naked. He simply couldn’t leave the house until he finished his day’s writing. Hugo’s willingness to strip down for his craft paid off—his novels have stood the test of time and are celebrated around the world. This drastic approach shows just how far some writers will go to stay focused, even if it means braving a chilly draft.

Truman Capote – Superstitious Scribbler

Truman Capote’s writing rituals were a tapestry of superstitions. He refused to start or finish any work on a Friday, a day he considered unlucky. He steered clear of the number 13 and kept a strict limit of three cigarette butts in any ashtray. Capote once said, “I am a completely horizontal author. I can’t think unless I’m lying down.” His quirks didn’t stop him from writing masterpieces like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “In Cold Blood.” These routines, while odd, gave Capote a sense of control over the chaotic creative process, offering comfort as he crafted some of America’s most beloved stories.

Dan Brown – Inverted Thinking

Dan Brown, the mind behind “The Da Vinci Code,” takes creativity to new heights—literally. To keep his thinking fresh, Brown hangs upside down in gravity boots for several minutes at a time, believing it boosts blood flow to his brain. He also wakes up at 4 a.m. to start writing, embracing the quiet before dawn. Brown credits these practices for helping him plot his intricate thrillers. His approach may sound bizarre, but given his global success, it’s clear he’s found a formula that works for him. Sometimes, flipping your perspective is all it takes to unlock a bestseller.

Marcel Proust – Wrote in Bed Surrounded by Cork

Marcel Proust, famed for “In Search of Lost Time,” wrote much of his opus in a bed nestled within a cork-lined room. The cork was there to muffle outside noises, cocooning him in near-total silence. Even in the sweltering heat of summer, Proust would swaddle himself in thick blankets, insulated from the world and its distractions. He was so committed to this setup that he rarely left his bedroom for years. Proust’s environment may sound claustrophobic, but for him, it was a sanctuary where memories and stories could surface, unimpeded by the din of daily life.

Gustave Flaubert – Quiet Meals Only

Gustave Flaubert, the fastidious creator of “Madame Bovary,” demanded absolute silence during meals. He believed that conversation or noise would muddy his mind, making it harder to write clearly and precisely. Flaubert’s commitment to quiet wasn’t just a mealtime preference—it was part of a larger obsession with finding the perfect word and phrase. This habit reveals just how deeply everyday routines can influence artistic output. For Flaubert, clarity of mind started at the dinner table and extended to every line he wrote.

James Joyce – Writing While Lying on His Stomach

James Joyce, the revolutionary Irish novelist, had a writing posture all his own. He preferred to lie on his stomach in bed, using a large blue pencil and wearing a white coat to reflect light onto the page. Joyce’s unusual position was partly due to his poor eyesight, but it also became a creative comfort zone. This method allowed him to pen masterpieces like “Ulysses” and “Finnegans Wake,” works celebrated for their complexity and innovation. Joyce’s willingness to embrace the unconventional in his writing routine mirrored his daring approach to language itself.

Edith Sitwell – Wrote in a Coffin-Like Box

Edith Sitwell, the eccentric British poet, started each writing day by lying in an open coffin for half an hour. She claimed this macabre ritual helped her focus, clearing her mind for the creative work ahead. Sitwell’s family and friends were baffled, but she insisted it brought her peace. Her poetry, known for its experimental rhythms and haunting imagery, suggests that her method may have helped her tap into deeper emotional currents. Sitwell’s coffin habit stands as a vivid reminder that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.

Benjamin Franklin – Air Baths

Benjamin Franklin’s “air baths” were as unconventional as they sound. Each morning, Franklin would sit naked in front of an open window for up to 30 minutes, believing the fresh air invigorated his body and mind. He described these sessions as deeply refreshing, a way to prepare himself for the mental labor of writing. Franklin’s prolific output—ranging from political treatises to witty almanacs—proves that his odd ritual may have worked. His belief in the link between physical well-being and creativity was ahead of its time, echoing modern ideas about the importance of self-care.

Gertrude Stein – Wrote in Short Bursts While Cow-Watching

Gertrude Stein, the avant-garde American writer, believed in the power of brevity. She often wrote for just 15 minutes each day, usually while sitting in her car and gazing at cows in the French countryside. Stein claimed that watching cows helped her clear her mind and generate new ideas. Her partner Alice B. Toklas confirmed this quirky routine, noting that Stein’s short, focused bursts of creativity were surprisingly effective. Stein’s approach challenges the myth that great writing requires endless hours at the desk—instead, it’s all about quality over quantity.

William Faulkner – Wrote by Candlelight

William Faulkner, one of America’s literary giants, preferred writing by candlelight even after electricity became widely available. The soft, flickering light created an intimate atmosphere that helped him slip into the worlds of Yoknapatawpha County, the fictional setting for many of his novels. Faulkner often wrote late into the night, drawn to the quiet that darkness offered. His candlelit ritual contributed to the dreamy, sometimes haunting quality of his writing. Faulkner’s practice reminds us that the right lighting can transform not just a room, but the very mood of a story.

Maya Angelou – Hotel Room Ritual

Maya Angelou’s writing process was both disciplined and deeply personal. She would rent a hotel room in her hometown, bringing only a Bible, a dictionary, and a bottle of sherry. Angelou stripped the room of distractions, refusing even to allow housekeeping. She wrote from early morning until early afternoon, lying on the bed with a pad of yellow legal paper. Angelou’s approach created a sacred space for creativity, far removed from the comforts and interruptions of home. The results speak for themselves—her memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” remains a cornerstone of American literature.

Friedrich Nietzsche – Wrote While Standing

Friedrich Nietzsche found inspiration on his feet. Plagued by health problems, the philosopher took to writing while standing at a tall desk. He believed that standing encouraged clearer thinking and helped him overcome bouts of lethargy and migraines. Nietzsche’s daily walks through the Swiss Alps further fueled his writing, providing the physical movement he needed to stay sharp. His habit foreshadowed the modern popularity of standing desks, showing that sometimes the best ideas really do come when you’re on your feet.

Truman Capote (Again) – Couldn’t Write at a Desk

Truman Capote’s aversion to desks was absolute. He called himself a “completely horizontal author” and insisted that he could only write while lying down—whether on a couch, in bed, or even on the floor. Capote claimed this position helped his thoughts flow more freely, unblocked by the formality of a desk. His friends recalled seeing him sprawled out, writing longhand or tapping away on a typewriter perched on his knees. Capote’s insistence on comfort over convention is a reminder that every writer’s process is personal—and sometimes a little strange.

Charles Dickens – Object Arranger

Charles Dickens began each writing day by meticulously arranging the objects on his desk. Pencils, a vase of fresh flowers, a letter opener, and other items were lined up in a precise order. Dickens believed this ritual helped him channel his creative energy and focus on the task at hand. The routine was so important to him that he once refused to write in a hotel room where he couldn’t arrange his belongings just right. Dickens’s methodical approach contributed to the creation of classics like “David Copperfield” and “Oliver Twist,” proving that order can breed inspiration.

Søren Kierkegaard – Walked to Write

Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher, wrote much of his work in motion. He would wander the streets of Copenhagen, scribbling notes and ideas on scraps of paper. After his walks, he would organize these notes at home, piecing together essays and books from his mobile musings. Kierkegaard believed that walking stimulated his thoughts, providing a rhythm and flow that sitting at a desk could never match. His habit illustrates the powerful link between movement and creativity, a concept now supported by research into the benefits of “walking meetings” and active brainstorming.

Franz Kafka – Wrote Late at Night

Franz Kafka, author of “The Metamorphosis” and “The Trial,” found his creative spark in the dead of night. He typically wrote from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., savoring the solitude and silence that came after the world had gone to sleep. Kafka’s day job as an insurance clerk left him little time for writing during daylight hours, but he insisted that nighttime was his most productive period. The eerie, dreamlike quality of his stories may owe something to the late hour at which they were conceived, blurring the line between waking and dreaming.

Isabel Allende – Starts Writing Only on January 8

Isabel Allende’s writing ritual is bound to the calendar. She begins every new book on January 8, a tradition that started in 1981 with her first novel, “The House of the Spirits.” Allende believes that this annual ritual brings good fortune and creative focus, marking a fresh start to each literary journey. Her discipline has resulted in dozens of novels, essays, and memoirs, making her one of the most widely read Spanish-language authors in the world. Allende’s unwavering commitment to January 8 is a testament to the power of personal ritual in shaping a creative life.