Ken Jennings didnt become a household name overnight.
He became a household name over exactly 74 nights.
But he hasnt hung up his trivia hat just yet.
In the meantime we caught up with Ken to learn a little about how he works.
I was a lowly computer programmer in 2004 when I unexpectedly won onJeopardy!for six straight months.
Sorry for the spoilers if you still have that on your DVR.
What apps, software, or tools cant you live without?
The Chicago Manual of Style,Diet Dr. Pepper, Twitter (@kenjennings).
Whats your workspace setup like?
Big old railroad desk, extremely cluttered.
Whats your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
Only knock off for the day when you know exactly what you want to write next.
If you stop when youre stuck, your future self the next morning is screwed.
I stole this from Hemingway and it totally works.
Knock off early and go to a bullfight or something.
(Or in my case, watch all productivity end when the kids get home from school.)
Whats your favorite to-do list manager?
The back of yesterdays page of myNew York Timescrossword desk calendar.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget cant you live without and why?
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?
Turning off the car right at the end of the song.
The key is planning early.
you oughta start making adjustments when youre two to three minutes away from your destination, minimum.
What do you listen to while you work?
If Im writing, it has to be silence.
But if Im in the research stage on something, I can put on music.
2016 was terrible but at least there was a newTeenage Fanclubrecordanda newSleigh Bellsrecord.
What are you currently reading?
Ive been reading Alan Moores new novelJerusalemfor weeks and weeks, because its almost a million words long.
Right now Im stuck inside this chapter thats fifty pages of James Joyce pastiche and I may never escape.
How do you recharge?
What do you do when you want to forget about work?
Go out back and shoot some baskets.
Whats your sleep routine like?
White noise machine required.
I always stay up too late reading or writing, so Im not an early riser.
Fill in the blank: Id love to see _________ answer these same questions.
About time someone askshimsomething.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
Is there anything else youd like to add that might be interesting to readers and fans?
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?
