Empty Pages – The Best Time to Write? (Episode 10)
In this episode, I discuss the best time to write.
Transcript
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This is episode 10, and in this episode, we’ll be discussing the best time to write. Up to this point, we’ve discussed the tools we can use to write, how to get ideas, word counts, and a few other basic things that I have discovered since deciding to become serious with my writing. While all of it has been rather basic, they are all building blocks that taken together, have actually helped to set me up for success. I honestly believe that I would have had a harder time completing my first draft had I not had these in place when I started writing. It is my hope that by sharing these things with you, you will be set up for success as well.
Is there a best time to write? I think there is, but it’s not a best time that applies to everyone. Some of us are night owls, and the more psychopathic among us are morning people. I kid, but seriously, how anyone can be so bright eyed and energetic so early in the morning is beyond me. But I digress.
Ask any writer, and I’m sure we’d all agree that the best time to write is whenever we get the chance. However, life does get in the way for most of us, and as such, makes it difficult to be able to write whenever, although technology has given us something of the opportunity, as we can now use our smartphones to do some of our writing, even if it’s just jotting down ideas or working on outlines. And yes, I said “we” when I said to ask any writer. If you are in the process of writing, then you my friend are a writer. You might not be a published writer, but a writer none the less. In fact, if you’re in the process of writing? You’re already way ahead of those who talk about it. And if you’ve completed any story? You’re way ahead of both of those groups. So yeah, if you’re writing, you’re a writer. And if anyone asks who said you could claim to be a writer, feel free to tell them Ian said so.
That being said, I think that each of us has that sweet spot where we are most productive and efficient with our writing. For me personally, it’s usually between 5 and 8 pm during the week, but usually only for about two hours, give or take. It’s at the end of the day after work, and my brain has just enough juice left to do some writing. Weekends are usually a little more flexible, and that’s usually when I can get a bit more writing done.
For some people, evenings will work just fine. For others, they may find that they do their best writing early in the morning, before anyone else has gotten up. I wish there was some magical formula that I could impart to you that would help you figure your best time. Unfortunately, you will have to spend some time figuring it out for yourself. All I can say is that it is worth it to find that time frame, and to see if you can work that into your daily schedule, as this will help maximize your writing. At least until we become the kind of writers that can make enough of a living with our writing that we can make that our full time jobs. Wouldn’t that be sweet? Hit me up on Twitter and Instagram and let me know what your best time to write is.
In the meantime, stay classy and keep writing those stories!
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