Interview
Chris Mills
What are some things you do to help yourself into the state of mind necessary for creative work?
Get enough sleep (as if...but this is getting more important as I get older,) listen to some kick ass tunes to get myself fired up (Nine Inch Nails and Manowar are currently big favourites for getting me in the mood!) make sure that all messenger programs are turned off, as that can be too much of a distraction. Get all important e-mails out of the way first, before moving on to creative processes such as writing, editing, and thinking up book cover ideas, as worrying about details of communication can cloud the mind.
If I hit a wall (writer's block, etc.) and get stressed about something, I stop, and beat the crap out of my electronic drumkit for 10 minutes, then go back to the problem. It is an amazing help!
Do you follow a strict daily (or weekly, etc.) routine with regard to workflow, or is every day (or week) different?
As hinted above, I usually break my days down into 2 halves:
- Do all e-mail/communication type stuff
- Do all editing/writing/creative stuff
If I try to mix the two up, then I just don't get anything done.
Do you prefer to work in a closed, private environment free from other people and distractions, or in a more open, collaborative environment?
I currently work from home 100% of the time, and cope with it ok, but I think I'd still prefer to work in a small office, with the other editors. I can get a bit lonely sometimes, and it is always useful to have others around to bounce ideas off. If you want to be left alone to get on with stuff, you can always just put your headphones on, and crank up the tunes. Well, it works for me.
What do you do to get your day(s) started in the right direction?
Play with my son for a little while before he goes to school.
What task management technique do you use?
LOL - a very large text file called "Stuff to do", which controls my entire life. I have symbols for urgent work, or optional tasks, and I break the list down into 2 sections: Work, and Non-work tasks (such as updating my band's web site, or swearing at the phone company, cos they suck)
What things tend to disrupt your workflow?
People instant messaging me. If it's that important, they'll e-mail or phone you ;-)
People phoning me. I hate phone calls during busy work time ;-)
My son coming into my office to show me his Transformer or Power Ranger. A more welcome distraction than most.
Being in a bad mood/stressed is terrible for creativity, and that's where the drumkit comes in handy!