Best time to Write?

Having always been a morning person, I had mistakenly assumed that was when I would be able to get my best writing done. It’s when I feel my brain is the most active, when I can understand academic papers and problems better and when I feel the most refreshed.

However, it turns out that this doesn’t apply to my creative writing. I sit, my imagination gone, it’s lost the competition with my days to-do list, which is sitting there taunting me to get on and check off the boxes.

Come the evening, I am done. Exhausted. Worn out from the days trials and tribulations, but for some bizarre reason this seems to be when the magic appears. My creative brain clicks into gear and suddenly imaginary worlds appear, characters speak to me and the words flow.

Following on from last weeks post about writing to escape, maybe this is my escape time, when I need I am in need of it most. When my brain needs to decompress and it is the act of being creative that helps it best.

I don’t write for a long period of time – an hour at most – but at least it’s time spent writing, moving the needle forwards.

So when is the best time to write?

Obvious answer: anytime that works for you.

What time of day do you get your best writing in?

Emma x

11 responses to “Best time to Write?”

  1. I am not a morning person, so as I am retired, I often write in the afternoon and early evening. I also write in the wee, small hours when insomnia keeps me from sleep. ❤️🌹❌️🙂

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    1. Whenever I get insomnia, I tend to just lie there getting more and more annoyed with myself knowing how tired I will be the next day!

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      1. This is why I just write. Some of my best poetry comes in that night time silence. But if you have to get up for work, insomnia is no joke. ❤️🌹❌️🙂

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  2. I find that the morning is best for writing, but the ideas that make the difference tend to come at random – times, usually when I can’t do anything about them! I might sit bolt-upright at 2.30am, or an image will flash into my brain during a meeting or whilst driving to work. If only I could write full time!

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    1. If I get a flash of inspiration whilst I am driving, guaranteed I will have completely forgotten it by the time I get home!

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  3. I am not a morning person. I need to gently enter into the day before my brain starts working. It’s interesting to see our uniqueness.

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    1. Gently entering the day sounds a lovely way to start. I agree, it’s really interesting to see how different we all are when it comes to our best times to write.

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  4. Well until I read this post I assumed morning as well. But I see to fill the morning with “other” necessities. Often work related trying my best to stay focused on the creative writing . I’ve tried the “brain dump” Anne Lemott suggested but then it just makes it more obvious that I have these other more pressing items.
    Recently, I’ve started writing in the evening, and to my surprise, there’s a lot coming out – almost effortlessly.
    I’m not willing to admit that I write better in the evening because I’m not quite ready to give up my evening crocheting while I binge watch Dexter. But you’ve given me something to consider. 🤔

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    1. I found the ease of writing in the evening surprising too! If I have a to-do list then that bothers me until its done, so I think by evening my creative brain is then freed up. Some evenings I just chill though and no writing gets done 🙂

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  5. I’ve tried writing at night, but I’m just not as flowy or sharp. Morning or noonish works for me. But we’re all different, so I don’t think the “experts” can tell a creative person when is the best time to write.

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    1. I agree, we are all so different. I have recently started to just go with my own instincts more, rather than feel pressure to do things in the same way as everyone else. Thanks for sharing, I am enjoying hearing when others find they write best.

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