When is the Best Time of Day to Write?

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When is the Best Time of Day to Write?

Posted on July 5th, 2009 in How To by jharmon

Each writer is different, but working out a schedule can help productivity and drive.

Some writers work in the middle of the night. Some are early risers, getting their daily writing finished before other tasks or jobs. Some write in little bursts, five minutes here, ten minutes there.

Truly, the best time to write each day is whatever time feels most comfortable to you. The trick is to write at that time consistently, perhaps even every day if possible.

By writing every day, and at the same time every day, you are training your mind. Sort of fooling your mind, even. You’re showing yourself that your writing is something serious, that it’s not just something you do as a lark for a little fun. That you are taking your writing seriously. You’re getting yourself used to writing on a consistent basis. That’s what writing at a certain time each day, whenever possible, can do for you.

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Will this help your writing? Of course it will. Not only will you be outputting more work regularly, but you will be improving as a writer. Writing takes practice, practice, practice. Writing at the same time every day puts your body and your mind into work mood. You’ll be better able to get to work on your writing if you have set periods for when you plan on doing your writing.

And if you miss a day, don’t fret over it. Just jump back into things the next day. Even if you miss a few days, don’t beat yourself up. Get back to writing as soon as you can.

How do you set a certain time? Again, it’s really up to you, what works best for you. If you are someone who likes punctuality, set a specific time, maybe a certain hour. If you like to keep things a little more free, just casually set a time of day, but don’t get so specific about the actual time.

If you happen to be one of those who writes in short bursts throughout the day, that’s a skill you should be happy to have. Not everyone can write that way. But still, keep at it every day when possible.

Me? I feel most comfortable doing my writing late at night, usually after midnight. That seems to be the time I’ll have the least interruptions, and the time when I feel I can completely focus on the tasks at hand.

Good luck, and keep writing!

5 Responses to “When is the Best Time of Day to Write?”

Susan Keeping
July 5th, 2009 at 7:39 am

Interesting article. I used to do my best writing after midnight but since I got older I can’t do that any more I usually set aside Saturday morning for writing. Lately, I’ve gotten away from the routine and I do miss it. Right now I tend to write on my afternoon break at work, when I first get home and basically when the mood hits me.
Inna Tysoe
July 5th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

Yeah–I’m one of those people who writes in bursts. But you are really right. To sit down and write the rough draft I had scribbled on a notepad, I need to have as few interruptions as possible–and that’s what more or less determines when I write…
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
July 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

The best time for me to write is anytime when interruptions are nil or less. Good points.
Jennifer Marre
July 8th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

I find that I write better at night, at least on nights when I’m not too tired.
Guy Hogan
July 20th, 2009 at 11:55 am

Writing every day can be difficult but if a writer can write every day it is certainly the best way to build up a body of work quickly. The more you write the better you get.