The Strangest Writing Rituals of Famous Authors

Quirks, Habits, and Creative Superstitions You Won’t Believe!

Writers are a strange bunch, let’s admit it. Whether it’s a particular mug, a lucky pen, or an insistence on total silence. Writing rituals are as unique as the authors themselves, but some of the most famous writers in history took their quirks to a whole new level.

Here are some of the strangest (and most fascinating) writing rituals from well-known authors that might leave you wondering if weird habits are the secret to literary greatness.

1. Victor Hugo: Naked Deadlines

The author of Les Misérables had an extreme way of beating procrastination. When facing a tight deadline, he’d have his servant take away all of his clothes—leaving him no choice but to stay indoors and write until he finished. Now that’s what we call butt-in-chair dedication.

2. Maya Angelou: Hotel Room Only

Maya Angelou never wrote at home. Instead, she rented a hotel room by the month, removed everything from the walls, and brought only a Bible, a deck of cards, and a bottle of sherry. Her reasoning? Her home was too comfortable, and she wanted her writing space to be strictly for work, not relaxation.

3. Truman Capote: Supine Storytelling

Capote described himself as a “completely horizontal author.” He wrote lying down on a couch, in bed, or with a cigarette and coffee in hand. He claimed he couldn’t think unless he was lying flat, proving that inspiration really can strike anywhere (even under the covers).

4. Honoré de Balzac: 50 Cups of Coffee a Day

Known for his relentless productivity, Balzac reportedly drank up to 50 cups of coffee a day. He believed it kept his creative engine running and was once quoted as saying, “Coffee glides into one’s stomach…and ideas begin to move.” No wonder he wrote The Human Comedy.''

5. Agatha Christie: Bathtubs and Apples

Christie often came up with her best plot twists while soaking in the bath and eating apples. She didn’t even have a dedicated writing desk; she’d use any surface available, including the kitchen table or her lap.

6. Friedrich Schiller: Rotten Apples in the Desk

In perhaps one of the weirdest rituals, Schiller kept rotten apples in his desk drawer because he believed the smell inspired him. His wife even noted that he needed the stench to get into his creative zone. (Do not try this one at home.)

7. Haruki Murakami: Writer or Athlete?

Murakami treats writing like training for a marathon. He wakes at 4:00 a.m., writes for five to six hours, then runs 10 kilometers or swims 1,500 meters. He says the repetition of his routine puts him into a “trance-like state,” ideal for writing fiction.

So, What’s Your Ritual?

Whether it’s total silence or a playlist on repeat, every author has their thing. Maybe you write better with a cat in your lap, a candle burning, or after pacing the kitchen floor for twenty minutes. The important part is that it works for you.

Who knows? Maybe your weird little habit is the key to writing your next bestseller.

Want to read more author insights, writing tips, and behind-the-scenes stories? Stay tuned to the Dirty Little Fiction blog, because we know every story starts with a little chaos and a whole lot of caffeine.