At Catalog Coffee in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood, author Sam Farhi sips a cold brew and discusses the disciplined routine that helped him finish his debut novel, The Sapsuckers. The book, set in Farhi’s hometown of Ithaca, New York, follows a young man’s obsessive quest to uncover the truth behind his brother’s mysterious death.
Morning grind: a one‑hour writing window
Farhi’s day begins early. His children are up around 6:30 a.m., and by 7:30 they’re at school. That leaves him a narrow window from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. for pure writing. He keeps a bottle of cold brew by his bedside, grabs his laptop, and sets up in his closet with the lights off and the keyboard brightness turned up so he can see the keys without a bright screen.
During that hour he writes without checking email or answering messages. He speaks the words aloud as he types, aiming for about 200 words per session—sometimes more, sometimes less. After the hour he returns to bed for a short rest before the day truly begins.
Why the strict schedule matters
“When you have kids, your time becomes scarce, and when a scarce resource rises in cost, you protect it,” Farhi says. He believes the disciplined hour forces him to focus, preventing the endless procrastination he experienced in his twenties.
He also notes that the limited time makes him less likely to waste it on distractions. “All of a sudden you’ll get mad at people who waste your time,” he adds, urging other writers—especially those considering parenthood—to treat writing time as a precious commodity.
Crafting sentences with punch
Farhi credits his poet friend Malik Crumpler and classic guides like The Elements of Style for shaping his approach to sentence structure. He looks for a “punch” at the end of each sentence, a technique he sees in writers such as Ta‑Nehi Coates. While he still values strong voice over strict rules, the emphasis on impactful endings remains a core part of his process.
Literary influences
Beyond technique, Farhi draws inspiration from authors who prioritize revelation over plot. Henry Miller’s unfiltered honesty and Toni Morrison’s poetic depth sit high on his list, with Morrison’s disciplined early‑morning writing schedule resonating strongly.
Future plans
Although Farhi hopes to stay rooted in Ithaca, he sees Baltimore as a possible future home. For now, he continues to balance family, coffee, and a disciplined hour of writing each morning, proving that even a busy parent can make steady progress on a novel.
For more information about upcoming events, including a September 10 launch at Greedy Reads Remington, visit the author’s website.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
