It works because it promises a 'secret' (the routine) of a high-status group (famous creative women) and uses a 'part 3' label to imply established authority.
Slide Text
Daily Routine of Famous Creative Women part 3
Visual
Vintage black and white photo of a woman typing on a typewriter, focused expression.
All Slides
@forgopetra carousel breakdown
Petra | cozy hobbies+lifestyle
Some wake at dawn, others write through the night. In this post I looked into the daily routines of creative women like Octavia Butler, who wrote before sunrise while juggling day jobs, and Donna Tartt, who swears by notebooks and color-coded edits. From Hayden Dunham’s morning tonic and heels to Louise Nevelson’s simple eating habits, it becomes apparent that these daily routines are as varied as the women themselves. Whether disciplined, chaotic, or completely intuitive, these routines are a
Effectiveness score
8/10
Views
190.6K
Likes
13.5K
Saves
5.9K
Engagement
10.4%
Hook
Daily Routine of Famous Creative Women part 3
Goal
inspire
Offer
information
CTA
none
Caption
Some wake at dawn, others write through the night. In this post I looked into the daily routines of creative women like Octavia Butler, who wrote before sunrise while juggling day jobs, and Donna Tartt, who swears by notebooks and color-coded edits. From Hayden Dunham’s morning tonic and heels to Louise Nevelson’s simple eating habits, it becomes apparent that these daily routines are as varied as the women themselves. Whether disciplined, chaotic, or completely intuitive, these routines are a
Strategic Summary
This carousel went viral because it transforms 'productivity guilt' into 'creative validation' by using high-status historical figures as permission givers. The 5.2x bookmark rate proves users are saving this as a reference tool to justify their own chaotic habits. The specific, granular details (sardines, 2am wake-ups) create dwell time and credibility, while the B&W archival aesthetic signals seriousness and timelessness.
The Winning Formula
Archival authority figures + granular routine details + implicit permission to break the rules.
What's working
- •Slide 1 hook uses a typewriter image to instantly signal 'writer/creator' identity before the text is even read.
- •Specific granular details (e.g., Slide 3 'can of sardines', Slide 5 '2-4 a.m.') create high dwell time and perceived research depth.
- •Black-and-white aesthetic on 7/8 slides creates a cohesive, 'documentary' feel that elevates the content above typical influencer lists.
- •The variety of routines (disciplined vs. chaotic) ensures almost every viewer finds one figure to identify with (seen in comments).
What's not working
- •Slide 4 (Hayden Dunham) breaks the B&W visual consistency with a color photo, which slightly disrupts the archival flow.
- •Slide 8 ends on a biographical note without a clear Call-to-Action (follow/save), relying entirely on the value stack to drive the save.
Viral lesson
Validation converts better than instruction when the audience is already overwhelmed; show them successful people who struggle like they do.
Can a small creator replicate this? Highly replicable for any curator brand; requires access to public domain/archival images and the ability to synthesize biographical data into bite-sized routine bullets.
Structural Formula (steal-the-format)
Structure pattern
8-slide list, archival photo background, biographical text overlay, ending on emotional payoff.
Copy formula
Name + Specific Time/Habit + Quirky Detail (e.g. 'sardines', 'grocery bags').
What to swap (concrete remixes)
- •Swap 'Creative Women' for 'Founders' for business niche (e.g. 'Daily Routine of Famous Founders').
- •Swap 'Routine' for 'Failure' for vulnerability niche (e.g. 'Biggest Failures of Famous Athletes').
What NOT to copy
Do not copy the B&W aesthetic if your brand is high-energy/gen-z; ensure the visual tone matches the emotion you want to evoke (serious vs. fun).
Aesthetics
Archival documentary style with stark B&W photography and high-contrast text overlays.
Color palette
What it conveys: The aesthetic feels serious, historical, and curated, lending authority to the advice without feeling preachy.
Slide-by-slide forensics
1hookmedium shotnostalgic focusworks:yesgrab:85/100aesthetic:90/100Daily Routine of Famous Creative Women
part 3
Daily Routine of Famous Creative Women part 3
Visual description
Black and white photo of a woman in profile typing on a vintage typewriter. Focus is on her hands and the machine. Text is in a white box with bold black sans-serif font centered.
Scene setting
vintage writing desk
Visible people
Visible objects
Other text elements
- •part 3
Predicted audience reaction
Immediate identification as a writer/creator; promises historical insight.
Verdict: The typewriter is a universal symbol for 'serious writing,' instantly filtering for the right audience.
2step in listmedium shotserious disciplineworks:yesgrab:75/100aesthetic:80/100Donna Tartt
Writes for 3 hours in the morning. If it goes well she continues until she gets tired, if not, stops and does something else. She prefers to write by hand and carries a notebook eveywhere. She has a color-coded process for her revisions and when the notebooks are too tangled-up to read, she types them up and prints them out.
Donna Tartt Writes for 3 hours in the morning. If it goes well she continues until she gets tired, if not, stops and does something else. She prefers to write by hand and carries a notebook eveywhere. She has a color-coded process for her revisions and when the notebooks are too tangled-up to read, she types them up and prints them out.
Visual description
Color photo (muted tones) of Donna Tartt standing in front of a brick wall with fire escapes. She wears a black blazer and white shirt. Text is white on a semi-transparent black box at the bottom.
Scene setting
urban alleyway
Visible people
Visible objects
vs prior slide
Style: Text box style is consistent, but image is color vs B&W on Slide 1.
Story: Moves from general hook to specific example #1.
Predicted audience reaction
Relatability for those who prefer handwriting; intrigue at the 'color-coded' detail.
Verdict: Specific detail about 'tangled-up' notebooks humanizes a famous author.
3step in listclose upintense dedicationworks:yesgrab:90/100aesthetic:95/100Louise Nevelson
Got up at 6 a.m. She wore cotton clothes so that she could sleep and work in them without wasting time. On some days she worked very little, other times she worked for two or three days without sleeping. Her meals were simple, and was satisfied with a cup of tea, a can of sardines and a piece of stale bread.
Louise Nevelson Got up at 6 a.m. She wore cotton clothes so that she could sleep and work in them without wasting time. On some days she worked very little, other times she worked for two or three days without sleeping. Her meals were simple, and was satisfied with a cup of tea, a can of sardines and a piece of stale bread.
Visual description
Black and white close-up portrait of an older woman (Nevelson) wearing a headscarf. Intense gaze. Text overlay at bottom. Signature 'PLAS' visible on object in foreground.
Scene setting
art studio
Visible people
Visible objects
Other text elements
- •PLAS
vs prior slide
Style: Returns to B&W aesthetic established in Slide 1.
Story: Continues the list with a more extreme example of discipline.
Predicted audience reaction
High resonance due to the 'sardines' detail which implies austerity for art.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "i can identify to Louise Nevelson. A can of sardines and rice so I don't need to think about meals + comfy clothes so I can be confortable working during the night 🦇"
Verdict: The 'sardines' detail is the most quoted element in the comments, proving specific weird details drive engagement.
4step in listwide shotmodern practicalityworks:partialgrab:70/100aesthetic:75/100Hayden Dunham
Wakes up at 7, stays in bed until 7:30, then makes herself a tonic. She writes for 20 minutes, then eats breakfast, often oatmeal and makes sure to always get dressed for work. In the first part of the day she does errands, meetings and start creating at about 4 p.m. It's her crunch time as she has dinner plans and will work until last minute before leaving. After dinner she usually does her computer-based task and goes to sleep at around 11.
Hayden Dunham Wakes up at 7, stays in bed until 7:30, then makes herself a tonic. She writes for 20 minutes, then eats breakfast, often oatmeal and makes sure to always get dressed for work. In the first part of the day she does errands, meetings and start creating at about 4 p.m. It's her crunch time as she has dinner plans and will work until last minute before leaving. After dinner she usually does her computer-based task and goes to sleep at around 11.
Visual description
Color photo of a contemporary artist sitting on a studio floor surrounded by art materials (blue foam, tubing). She wears white coveralls and gloves. Text box is dark grey.
Scene setting
modern art studio
Visible people
Visible objects
vs prior slide
Style: Significant break in aesthetic; fully color and modern vs archival B&W.
Story: Introduces a contemporary figure to bridge historical advice to modern application.
Predicted audience reaction
Relatability for modern creatives with day jobs/meetings.
Verdict: Visually inconsistent with the rest of the deck, but provides necessary modern context.
5step in listmedium shotdetermined resilienceworks:yesgrab:85/100aesthetic:90/100Octavia Butler
During her early career she woke up between 2-4 a.m. and wrote for a few hours before leaving for work. She worked various jobs to support herself. Later in her career she woke up between 5:30 and 6:30, taking care of things around the house and sitting down to write at 9 a.m.
Octavia Butler During her early career she woke up between 2-4 a.m. and wrote for a few hours before leaving for work. She worked various jobs to support herself. Later in her career she woke up between 5:30 and 6:30, taking care of things around the house and sitting down to write at 9 a.m.
Visual description
Black and white photo of Octavia Butler seated in front of a bookshelf. She is looking directly at the camera. Text overlay at bottom.
Scene setting
home library
Visible people
Visible objects
vs prior slide
Style: Returns to B&W archival style.
Story: Highlights the 'hustle' aspect (working day jobs) which resonates with struggling creators.
Predicted audience reaction
Strong inspiration from the 2-4am wake up; validation for those with day jobs.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "damn, Octavia Butler hustled 🔥"
- "I adore Octavia! I can't help lose my self on her work because she have a voice like any other to me. It's beauty learn how she made it all with discipline, and some kind of obsession"
Verdict: Octavia Butler is a high-affinity figure for this niche; the 'day job' detail validates the audience's struggle.
6step in listmedium shotchaotic creativityworks:yesgrab:80/100aesthetic:85/100Ida Lupino
She had a busy life and didn't follow a strict routine. She sometimes stayed up all night dictating ideas for the next day's shoot or wrote for 24 hours straight, scribbling on anything at hand, from bits of paper to grocery bags. She always prepared carefully in advance so she would never appear indecisive.
Ida Lupino She had a busy life and didn't follow a strict routine. She sometimes stayed up all night dictating ideas for the next day's shoot or wrote for 24 hours straight, scribbling on anything at hand, from bits of paper to grocery bags. She always prepared carefully in advance so she would never appear indecisive.
Visual description
Black and white glamour shot of Ida Lupino in a fur stole. She is pointing downwards with both thumbs. Text overlay at bottom.
Scene setting
studio portrait
Visible people
Visible objects
Other text elements
- •P1653-551
vs prior slide
Style: Consistent B&W archival look.
Story: Introduces the 'chaotic' counterpoint to the disciplined routines, broadening appeal.
Predicted audience reaction
Relief for those who cannot stick to a strict schedule.
Verdict: Provides permission to be messy ('grocery bags'), which balances the discipline of previous slides.
7step in listmedium shotelegant focusworks:yesgrab:75/100aesthetic:85/100Elsa Schiaparelli
Every morning she woke up at 8, read the papers as she drank lemon juice with water and a cup of tea for breakfast and handled private correspondences. If the weather was nice, she walked to the studio, where she worked until 7, but did most of her designing in her head while walking or driving.
Elsa Schiaparelli Every morning she woke up at 8, read the papers as she drank lemon juice with water and a cup of tea for breakfast and handled private correspondences. If the weather was nice, she walked to the studio, where she worked until 7, but did most of her designing in her head while walking or driving.
Visual description
Black and white photo of Schiaparelli working on a garment or display. She wears a white jacket and statement necklace. Text overlay at bottom.
Scene setting
design studio
Visible people
Visible objects
vs prior slide
Style: Consistent B&W style.
Story: Adds a fashion/design perspective, widening the 'creative' definition beyond writers.
Predicted audience reaction
Interest in the 'designing in head' technique.
Comments reacting to this slide
- ""designing in my head" while doing other activities 🥰🥰 I do that ✨"
Verdict: Validates mental work as real work, a common pain point for creatives.
8payoffmedium shothopeful persistenceworks:yesgrab:80/100aesthetic:90/100Alma Thomas
Started pursuing her artistic passion more intensively after retirement. She listened to music when she worked and had a special mixtape that she had created just for listening to in her studio. She changed her methods to adapt to her declining physical ability due to arthritis.
Alma Thomas Started pursuing her artistic passion more intensively after retirement. She listened to music when she worked and had a special mixtape that she had created just for listening to in her studio. She changed her methods to adapt to her declining physical ability due to arthritis.
Visual description
Black and white photo of an older woman (Thomas) looking out a window. Paintbrushes in a jar in the foreground. Text overlay at bottom.
Scene setting
artist studio by window
Visible people
Visible objects
vs prior slide
Style: Consistent B&W style.
Story: Ends on a note of longevity and adaptation, reassuring older creatives or those with limitations.
Predicted audience reaction
Emotional resonance regarding aging and creativity.
Verdict: Strong emotional closer that expands the definition of 'creative life' to include retirement.
Commerce intent
Objections (from comments)
- •Source?
Comment ethnography
A community of creatives seeking permission to be imperfect; they bond over shared struggles (sardines, 4am wakes) rather than successes.
Comments that characterize the audience
- "Love this. Validated a lot of things for me. I'm so into what I'm creating, I don't want to do much of anything else."
- "I can identify to Louise Nevelson. A can of sardines and rice so I don't need to think about meals"
- "These stories make me feel easier about my crazy time schedule"
Pain points revealed
- •Guilt about chaotic schedules
- •Feeling lonely in the creative struggle
- •Uncertainty about what routine is 'correct'
Aspirations revealed
- •To be as disciplined as Octavia Butler
- •To feel validated in their current messy habits
- •To find a rhythm that works without burnout
Top questions asked
- •Source?
- •Ok so no night owls?
- •More of this girl
Objections
- •Skepticism about accuracy (Source?)
- •Feeling excluded if they don't match the morning routines
Diagnostics
Hook deep-dive
Daily Routine of Famous Creative Women
The promise of 'Famous' + 'Routine' suggests secret knowledge on how to replicate success.
Engagement read
Bookmark rate is 5.2x the niche norm, indicating this is saved as a reference tool rather than just consumed for entertainment.
Mechanics
High text density on each slide forces users to stop and read, signaling high quality to the algorithm.
Brand & funnel
Buying-journey moment: User is seeking validation for their current habits, not looking to buy a course yet.
Ideal Customer Profile
Aspiring or established creative women who romanticize their craft and seek validation for their non-linear, often messy, creative processes.
Age
18-34
Gender
female
Readability
simple
Interests
Pain Points
Aspirations
Emotional Profile
Primary Emotion
validationIntensity
Effectiveness
Emotions Evoked
Emotional Arc
curiosity → discovery → validation → relief
Why It Lands
It relieves the pressure of the 'perfect routine' narrative by showing that even the most successful women had messy, non-traditional habits.
Writing Analysis
Style
educational
Tone
aspirational
Hook Type
listicle
Quality
The writing is concise, evocative, and respectful of the subjects. It avoids fluff, focusing on the specific, quirky details (sardines, color-coded edits) that make the stories memorable.
Effectiveness
Goal Achievement
The high bookmark-to-view ratio indicates the content is highly valuable and serves its goal of inspiring the audience through historical reference.
Why It Spread
high saveability (reference material)
aesthetic consistency (vintage B&W photos)
niche appeal to the 'dark academia' and 'writer' subcultures
Content DNA
There is no explicit CTA, which is a missed opportunity for growth, though it keeps the aesthetic clean.
Narrative Arc
The narrative builds by alternating between different types of creative struggle, keeping the reader swiping to see if they relate to the next woman.
Psychological Blueprint
Why It Spread
The post succeeds by reframing the reader's insecurity about their lack of discipline as a 'unique rhythm' shared by legends. By featuring high-status icons like Donna Tartt and Octavia Butler, it provides high-value, shareable cultural capital. The 10.41% engagement rate is driven by the high bookmark count (5,929), as the content acts as a 'reference library' for creatives, making it highly saveable for future inspiration.
Framework
social proof stackPrimary Tactic
validationTactics Used
curiosity-gap on slide 1: 'Daily Routine of Famous Creative Women' implies a secret to success
social-proof via historical authority: using figures like Octavia Butler and Donna Tartt to validate the reader's own habits
pattern-interrupt: the contrast between 'disciplined' and 'chaotic' routines breaks the myth of the perfect morning routine
tribal-markers: references to 'creative women' and 'artistic process' signal this is for a specific in-group
Cognitive Biases
social comparison bias: readers compare their own routines to these icons
confirmation bias: readers seek evidence that their own 'messy' habits are actually signs of genius
halo effect: the prestige of these authors makes their specific, even odd, habits seem like 'the secret' to their success
Tribal Markers
Trust Signals
Slide Breakdown (2 analyzed)
Hook Analysis
It works because it promises a 'secret' (the routine) of a high-status group (famous creative women) and uses a 'part 3' label to imply established authority.
Text
Daily Routine of Famous Creative Women part 3
Visual
Vintage black and white photo of a woman typing on a typewriter, focused expression.
Visual Elements
Color Palette
Copy Analysis
Power Words
Open Loop: yes, the reader wants to know who these women are and what their secrets are.
Visual Psychology
Attention: the woman's face and the typewriter
Gaze: looking at the typewriter, directing the viewer to the act of creation
Emotional cue: vintage aesthetic suggests timeless wisdom
Composition: creates a sense of authority and historical depth
Text
Donna Tartt: Writes for 3 hours in the morning. If it goes well she continues until she gets tired, if not, stops and does something else. She prefers to write by hand and carries a notebook eveywhere. She has a color-coded process for her revisions and when the notebooks are too tangled-up to read, she types them up and prints them out.
Visual
Donna Tartt standing in front of a brick building with a fire escape.
Visual Elements
Color Palette
Copy Analysis
Power Words
Open Loop: yes, the reader is now curious about the next woman.
Visual Psychology
Attention: Donna Tartt's face
Gaze: direct eye contact
Emotional cue: serious, intellectual mood
Composition: establishes the subject as a serious, enigmatic intellectual
Comment Intelligence
Sentiment
PositiveResonance
Intent
inspire
Audience Vibe
The comments are sparse but appreciative, reflecting a quiet, thoughtful audience.
Standout Quotes
“I needed to hear this today.”
“Donna Tartt's process is so relatable.”
“This is exactly what I needed to see.”
Top Comments
i can identify to Louise Nevelson. A can of sardines and rice so I don't need to think about meals + comfy clothes so I can be confortable working during the night 🦇
Love this. Validated a lot of things for me. I’m so into what I’m creating, I don’t want to do much of anything else.
I guess the 4am wake up is nothing new girlies
Source?
Ok so no night owls?