Andy Weir

Please don't send the author of The Martian any more potatoes

What’s your daily writing routine like?

I wake around 6.00am, because I have a baby. Once the morning chaos settles down, I spend the rest of the morning doing work stuff that isn’t writing: answering fan mail, talking to my agent, scheduling events. After lunch is when I do the bulk of my writing.

Any knick-knacks on your desk?

Not at the moment. I do have various things on my bookshelf, though. I collect time machines. I have a DeLorean, a TARDIS, a Time Turner (from Harry Potter), etc. Someday I’d love to get an Omni from obscure ’80s TV show Voyagers! I loved that as a kid.

How do you deal with writers’ block/the urge to procrastinate?

I have a goal of 1,000 words per weekday. Until I finish them I’m “not allowed” to do most of my hobbies. No video entertainment, no woodworking. Also, my actual objective is “5,000 words per week, with a minimum threshold of 1,000 per workday”. This means if I write 1,500 words on Monday I can get away with 500 on Tuesday. This way I’m not encouraged to stop when I have good flow going.

Is there anything in one of your books you wish you could “fix”?