A Day in the Life of a Full-Time Writer

I really love the scene at the beginning of the movie Coming to America when Prince Akeem (played by Eddie Murphy) is awakened by an orchestra playing soft music. A servant with a quiet voice says his name. The sounds of nature join the orchestra. Young ladies toss rose petals before him as he walks. Servants are there to take care of his every need.

When I was young (and clueless, we might as well say it) I thought a published author’s day started like this. (Minus the tooth brushing and but...