I have been asked what the “best time of day” to write is.  Now I did find this question strange because, like many things, this is writer specific. 

There does seem to be the popular concept that all writers are night owls who fervently write during the wee hours.

Well, I can say that we don’t all write at night.  So don’t think you have to stay up late to be a writer.

Times change

Remember all writers are different.  Some write in the evening, some the morning, some during the day, others at random times.  Not to mention it changes!

When I first started writing I did write at night.  Mainly because I suffered terribly from insomnia and it was the one time when the house was quiet enough for me to focus.  So I chose that time out of necessity.

However my writing time this has changed.  There are times I’ve written during the day because I had the time or just because the idea hit me so hard if I didn’t get it down right then I’d lose it.

However, if I have a writing day, then I tend to start early.  Yup I am officially an Early Bird.  The earlier the better for me.  I need natural daylight, a whole stretch of time before me and the knowledge that at the end of the day I can just relax and chill.

Pigeonholes

In fact, I think the worst thing you can do, is pigeonhole yourself to a “time of day.” People change, as you get older you may find what worked for you when you were younger doesn’t work as well now.

Situations change, mood changes, requirements change.

Saying you “only work at night” might have you planning all your writings for the evening, and if you end up tired or sluggish, you might get nothing done.  Whereas if you had just written something earlier, you may have found it worked well for you.

When the muse calls

Write when you feel like writing, whether that is in the morning, evening, midnight or afternoon (depending on if your work/school schedule allows it).

Try different times of the day, you might just surprise yourself and find you actually work better at a different time that what you’ve been working at.

Your concentration and focus can change throughout the day, though this can also be affected by what you eat and drink, how you slept and other things going on in your life.

There are natural rhythms such as feeling tired and sluggish around early afternoon, usually just after lunch when the body diverts energy to break down the food you’ve eaten.

If you insist on writing every day, then definitely try a few different times.

So whether you are an Early Bird or a Night Owl, or some Midway Crow, give your writing a little leeway and don’t feel trapped to writing only at one time of day.

What is your best time to write?  Let me know in the comments below!

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