Behind The Scenes of a 21-Time Bestselling Author's Writing Routine 

‘Speed is not the point; quality is.’ - Great advice!

I’ve put about 23 years of unnecessary pressure on myself. I haven’t completed a single project. On rare occasions I’d make it past 5 pages before I heavily scrutinized myself and quit. I’m starting to truly understand that my writing is a “work in progress” or “practice”. His videos have helped me learn to be more comfortable in/with my writing so that maybe this time maybe I’ll actually make it to the editing phase. Thank you 🙏🏾

Maybe i'll have this kind of life 40 years from now or so if I keep trying hard to write horror during my 12 hour oilfield shifts. It sucks. 7 days a week, 12 hours a night, for months on-- no schedule. I don't know when I'm off till the boss says. You must have went through a lot of work to accomplish all this. A lifetime of work. We start somewhere.

I really liked the approach of starting the working day by editing yesterday's work, and then continuing to write forward in the script.

I love his typewriter keyboard hybrid, that is great and im totally about to find me one of those.

" I make sure my deadlines are sacred". That hits on multiple levels.

"The more space l give between the time l finish writing and the time l do my editing, the better for the project." - Jerry B. Jenkins

87 and counting Jerry, but I can't just sit and wait to die. I watched your use of tracking to help your morning editing efforts and I'm jealous!

Nice desk beautiful inlays

I come back to this video once in a while to motivate myself to keep searching for my dream and passion.

What a voice! Voice of a teacher!

4:00 "Commas safe lives" this is the quote our Turkish teacher always tells to us. She regularly gives the example of "Küçük ağacın arkasındaydı" if you dont put a comma after the word "küçük", the sentence would mean; "(he/she/it) was behind the little tree" and if you do put a comma after the word "küçük", the sentence now would have the meaning; "the little one was behind (the) tree" so it's nice to see you actually giving us tips even during these little sides when not mentioning the main stuff! thanks a lot!

Mr. Jenkins can improvise and still give one life-changing advice.

2,500 words a day? That's impressive. If I do 500 I think I'm doing well.

I'm a member of your Guild and I must say this is the best video I've ever seen on the writing process. This is the kind of video that inspires those of us who want to make an impact with our writing and Jerry Jenkins shows the way. Thank you for making this video. God bless.

Really good to see how professional writers go about their process. I finished my first novel 3 years ago (unpublished) and I'm currently working on my second. Absolutely having a routine and holding myself to a minimum number of words per day has been the way to advance projects. If you commit to a certain number of words per day, and writing at least a certain number of days per week, the words and pages will inevitably start to pile up. Good advice here. I enjoyed the video.

Thank you, Jerry, for the encouragement. I was just praying and asking for a breakthrough in my writing and really struggling with deadlines when your message hit my inbox. Treat deadlines as if they are sacred, from this moment forward I am the 1 out of 100 writer.

This is fascinating. I can't imagine writing without an outline.

I watched this clip many times. Simply, it is inspiring. I am not a book author but write my research and the productivity was always a problem. Jerry is very productive and his tips on book writing was very useful for me.

You dear sir, are a steady source of immense inspiration. Thank you, kindly, Mr. Jenkins.

I’m just really sleepy at both ends of the day to write and I have work from 6AM - 8Pm I have no greater desire than to write however. I am just beholden to my schedule and energy.

I did not notice a difference between "Let's eat Grandpa." and "Let's eat, Grandpa." until I saw "Commas save lives."

I'm writing my new novel now "The Real Name Of Sebastian Great", and thanks for the advice! I'm writing my last novel for my teenage years as I will turn 20 next year

More space between writing editing produces a better product. Never thought of that. Good advice. Thanks Jerry.

Hey! I just wanted to say thank you. I’m writing my first book and I had a bit of trouble getting back into it each day. The advise about going back and editing the last few pages really helped me jump right back into the story each day. It also helps with the nagging need to go back and edit all of my mistakes. So again thank you!

Envy is a sin, Jerry, and you are leading me right into it.

Getting better than past. Really an inspiration.

To see your writing process and to give hope to us pantsers...this is such a blessing!!!! Such a clever process!!! Thank you so much for making these videos!!!!

For me, exactly the right inspiration at exactly the right time. Thank you, Jerry. I needed this.

Thank you, Jerry, inspiring video. I love your writing space. Thank you for what you said about getting our distractions out of the way. in the past few weeks, my bedroom has been my writing space, as I have to watch my little baby go to sleep before I start to do any writing, in the early hours or late at night.

I really love these videos. Very inspiring for me. I want to start writing. I'm 27 and seeing that you can go at your own pace is really relaxing to know

Greetings from Tobago! Thanks so much Jerry, this was very inspiring. I mainly write non-fiction but I've started a few fiction projects but they got overrun by the non-fiction which I thought were more urgent for helping others. You're inspiring me to get more serious about my writing routine in my very hectic life as a Single Mom. Thanks for the great work you do for others and the Lord

Thanks for this unique perspective, Jerry.

I watch your videos not for your content. I just loves you voice and accent. Love from India

This is wonderful. And his keyboard is the most amazing thing I've seen since the eclipse. ❤

THIS IS THE BEST RU-vid CHANNEL I HAVE FOUND which INSPIREs ME IN WRITING a BOOK CONFIDENTIALLY ON MY OWN ...🙏🙏🙏

Thank you for sharing the honesty about writing and discipline. I appreciate it more than I can say. This is the first time in a few months, since I found a temporary job, that I am home before 8:30 PM. I can do it. I just need to prioritize and discipline myself to do it.

Very insightful. I'm 37 and have just started writing short stories and publishing them online. I'm often frustrated with the pace I go despite the fact I only write in my free time. Knowing that 800-1000 words in a writing session is actually fairly fast, makes me feel a lot better.

Jerry, great tips and as an aspiring writer I'm really looking forward to more videos from you. I've been developing a story I really think has legs to stand on. I have no history in writing but it's a passion of mine to tell stories to people.

Thank you, Mr. Jenkins, for sharing your morning process, especially the bit about adjusting my writing schedule to me. Although, the bit about re-reading the last 25 pages and ferociously editing it really hit home to me as a killer way to get deep into the story quickly and empowers me to add insights and inspirations to my story (aka words!) supercharging my ability to hit my word count goals for the day. I will incorporate this into my process. Thanks again for your video Jerry.

If you can do it, Jerry, so can we. Thanks for the inspiration and knowledge.

I'd never really thought about that chapter writing like that. I think it will really help me, thank you. Unfortunately, I can't write every day, I'm a nurse who gets up at 3am for a 16-hour shift as well as the commute. Those days no writing can be done, but i can do that chapter idea can really work for me maybe even on those days.

You just helped me more than you know. I'd been trying to find a good pace and finally settled on 2500 words per day myself. We'll see if I can maintain that, LOL.

wow, that 'left behind' series has been good to him

God Bless You, Jerry! I only watched a minute of your video and I really like your routine so far! Continued success!

Very inspiring to watch! It'd be great to see more of these types of behind-the-scenes and writer routine videos.

I loved this! Thank you for sharing your daily writing routine. I absolutely LOVE that keyboard.. and your writing space.

Im LOVING the size of his computer screen!

I aspire to be a novelist, a horror one in particular. This has given me a new view, thank you.

i wish you did more of these videos. you give us a wonderful insight into a writer's routine

The difference between failure and success is glaring via this video. Thank you Mr. Jerry

I like reading your novels it is great and Jerry B. Jenkins is the best writer in the world and I hope he has got new books out xxxc

First of all, love your channel! Second of all, this video is amazing. The “speed is not the point, quality is” is great advice! I tried the ‘getting stuff out of the way’ strategy this morning and afternoon me commenting says that it’s an amazing method, especially to keep me writing for one hour. Also, thank you so much for reminding us about our health too, Jerry. I love your setup, and this channel! Can’t wait for more, and I’m 100% gonna check out some of your books

I am a beginner in my writing. I try to put all my ideas in one pack. I am watching your videos very carefully, thank you for your help and support

This is one of the most powerfully helpful, inspiring, and valuable videos of this genre I have ever seen. You are now my role model. Thank you for your time and generosity in doing this on youtube.

Mr. Jenkins, thank you for this video. It was wonderful to gain insight into your routine. I especially liked how you spoke about getting distractions out of the way before you write. I feel the same way but have often wondered whether this was a good thing or simply procrastination. It's nice to see a professional writer allowing himself this time with success. Also, I love your computer keyboard.

I loved the "Commas save lives." LOL!!

Thank you for sharing your life with us. You are one of my writing heroes. Love the keyboard!

Jerry B Jenkins i loved seeing this author video of your author WORLD. I must keep a day to rest relax as Thursday i was excited after a busy people scene wednesday so today on friday i wrote lunch i cooked then wrote till 2:40 pm went to mall and back home

I return to this video over and over again as I refine my daily writing practice. I find myself saying "How did Jerry do his morning routine"?, "How do I divide down my word count to reach my goal"? "What should my writing space look like"? Thanks Jerry for the easy informative document of your process.

His voice and persona is so magical, really calming and kind and sort of ASMR! This was relaxing and inspiring creatively.

Great insights and advice Jerry. You work hard at your writing and your discipline has clearly paid off - there is much us aspiring writers can learn from you!

Your RU-vid channel, sir, has been a blessing for me. I not only get guidance, but I get the motivation too. Thank you.

the last line of the video is the best line of the video.

I gotta say Jerry, I love your “writing cave”. I would like one of my own.

That's keyboard, that desk, that ambience, that writing den. Just wow. Write a book on them, please.

Please keep this sort of videos coming Jerry. I managed to rescue so many tips and tactics i can wait to try them out & see if they work for me. Perhaps you could do one behind the scenes about your researching process? Thank you & the best of luck for your current project.

Thank you so much for sharing your world with us. I’m more of a plotser, myself. I love how you reiterate that everyone’s process may differ but in the end the key is to get the words(quality words) down and stick to your deadline. I am a bit curious why you go back and edit as you go instead of waiting until the entire first draft is done. Have you found you make better edits that way?

Love this, Jerry! Especially your system of editing at first then outlining and writing. That is really helpful, thank you! I'm curious about your hardware set up. That keyboard looks fabulous!!

Thank you, Jerry. This video inspired me to improve my daily writing routine. As always, invaluable advice. Love it!

I enjoyed this very much. Thank you for the insight! I feel better about my writing now that I know you don't outline. I prepare my work very similar to your procedures and do my editing very much the same way. I start between 5:00 and 5:30 in the morning and go until lunch. I dedicate the hours to writing and always hit my deadlines per page. You have been an inspiration!

Jerry- THAT keyboard! is awesome. Where did you get it? Thanks. Melissa Bailey

Jerry i really needed this video, thank you for giving of yourself this way. You are a great inspiration! the more i read your advice the more i get on fire to write.. thank you! God Bless you!

The writing cave is awesome. Ferocious self editing took me back to a blank page. LOL.

There's such a calm quality to you.

This was very kind of you to share all of this with us. Thank you!

Day 108 of me being 🏡 from my Flight Attendant 'gig' and my work hours have been somewhat reversed due to my illustrator being 13 hours ahead of me. 😊 So it's 2:24am and I just ran across your video which I found to be such a delight! Thank you the morning inspiration! And now its time for me to ✍ 🎨 📚. Continued success to you!

Thank you for letting us peek inside your world! Very helpful and informative.

I enjoyed this as it put some perspective on the process. (time management).

This channel is gold.

You are always an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your wisdom 🙏

no glamour , just the reality of hard work.

5:03 that really cool retro typewriter keyboard is a must for writers, right??? Kidding! I love it!

I agree when you say that quality is the point.

These videos are all super helpful to me as I am writing a book for the first time. I wouldn't be attempting this unless I felt strongly that God is leading me to it. It's easy to feel inadequate towards the job but these bits of information do help. Thank you

He and Tim were the BEST! I sit here and stare at the computer. It seems to disrupt the household for some reason.

Morning is best for me!

HI Jerry, well I enjoyed your clip about choosing the best place to write. I am working on my 3rd book, and during December/ January I take a break that works to my advantage since we have moved to a new home. It's a lot of unpacking and figuring out what space to use etc. I like the kitchen area with a view of the woods and a grassy hill in the back yard. Thank you so much for your input & insight.

Can't thank you enough for your videos. They are truly inspiring and very helpful. Do you mind explaining that big circle chart hanging in the back? Looks like some type of beat sheet, character arc, scene placements?

Good pointers.

Sometimes all I want is to live in this video 🥺❤️

That typewriter keyboard is slick.

I just started putting together a writing schedule so I can be more productive and learn what it takes to be a part of the industry. I am a hard worker in school (and I will be going to college very soon) and I wanted to be able to maximize my writing time. My daily word count varies but I try at least 1663 words per day (or more if possible). The morning seems the best time of day for me. I get up between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. Saturdays I sleep in a little more. I know it is extremely hard to get published or even to write a decent book, but I am going to try my hardest. Over the years, I've felt a calling to write. I have always loved it, but it has grown into a passion. I want to use that passion to glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You are one of my inspirations and I want to thank you so much for the godly influence you have given me through your books and videos. Left Behind was one of my favorite series I have ever read (and I want to read it again!). I have grown as a reader, writer, and--most of all--as a Christian. May God bless you, Jerry B. Jenkins!

Nice office for important for great writer thank you Jerry.

Just discovered your videos, and I love them! Thank you for taking the time to post these invaluable insights.

I finished a 200,000+ word draft and now the goal is a 100,000 word 2nd draft... I'm at 75,000 words so far. My quirk is that I write a lot more than required so I'm learning to shorten things down. I look forward to the day my books are on the shelf. :) Thanks for the advice J!

What's that giant colourful spiral poster that he's looking at when he says "all my research" at 2:27

This was a very instructive and to the point video. Everything made sense. Thanks for sharing it.

I want a qwertywriter so bad. 🥺♥️ This guy has taught me so much in a matter if days!

Thank you for the invaluable advice. I wish you the very best!