David Irving’s daily writing routine, or “coalface” work as he termed it, was a consistent element of his life, though the specifics varied slightly year to year. It involved a structured morning, often beginning early, dedicated to writing and managing his bookstore’s orders. The routine was intertwined with email correspondence, order fulfillment, and occasional household tasks.
Irving's writing process was deeply integrated into his daily life, often beginning before sunrise. The “coalface” metaphor suggests a demanding and essential task, akin to a miner’s work. This routine was crucial for both his writing projects and the operation of his bookstore, demonstrating a blend of creative and business activities.
* 2021 (January 1): Rose at 7:51 AM, coffee, shower, and began writing at 7:43 AM. Thirteen emails waiting. Seven book orders received overnight. Sent greetings to "the Gang." * 2021 (June 20): Rose around 6:30 AM, coffee, shower, and began writing at 8:29 AM. Five emails waiting. Five book orders received overnight. * 2021 (September 30): Rose at 6:59 AM, coffee, shower, and began writing at 7:53 AM. Five emails waiting. Five book orders received overnight. * 2022 (January - June): Rose at 6:53 AM, shower, and began writing at 7:47 AM. Six emails waiting. Four book orders overnight. * 2023 (June 1): Rose at 6:30 AM, coffee, shower, and began writing at 7:50 AM. Thirty-eight emails waiting. Seven book orders received overnight.
The wake-up time varied, ranging from 6:30 AM to 7:51 AM. The number of emails waiting to be read fluctuated significantly, from 4 to 38. The number of overnight book orders also varied. The specific tasks performed before beginning to write included coffee making, showering, and occasionally software updates (Ventura).