When is the best time to write?

The simple answer is that there is no right time to write. Whenever the mood takes you is a good answer. But what if that just isn’t happening?

Is there a way to encourage your mood?

I have read all the opinions of the experts, from forcing yourself to write anything for five minutes to picking any moment from the story and writing about that. That’s a good one, by the way.

I am asking this question because, with everything that’s been happening, I haven’t given much thought to writing. In my youth, you understand, I always used to write the minute I got out of bed, and this worked so well for a long time.

I’m not sure when this stopped or why, but I have been struggling for a while now, especially lately. I thought I could write in the afternoons, but I am usually so tired by then that all I managed to get is rubbish.

Mornings would be a better time, so maybe I should go back to writing then and leave all those routine tasks, emails, and social media until later.

I have had this conversation with myself so many times that I thought sharing that question with all of you might just find that voice of reason…


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Responses

  1. acflory Avatar

    I used to writing first thing in the morning too. Then life got in the way. Hoping that one day I’ll be able to turn my back on social media and escape into a story again. :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      I leave social media alone a lot. It was either them of me, and they don’t seem to mind. As long as everything you do, links to them, it’s not as bad as you think. We really can’t do everything , you know. Not all the time anyway!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. acflory Avatar

        You’re right, but I don’t really have any other social media to link to since I quite FB and Twitter. I am starting to wean myself away though, a little bit at a time!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

          I should do the same, but somehow, I keep going back!

          Liked by 1 person

          1. acflory Avatar

            We have to enjoy what we’re doing! If we don’t, it’s just ‘work’. :D

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

              and there seems to be a very fine line between them, Meeks…

              Liked by 1 person

  2. Klausbernd Avatar

    Hi Jaye
    There isn’t this question of the best time to write for professional authors. You just write and write your hours like a baker bakes his or her hours. I see it as a misconception to wait for the right mood. Writing has nothing to do with mood, and you write like anybody works. A bricklayer doesn’t ask for the right mood.
    I just wrote for four hours every day, then I did two hours communicating with agents, editors and doing PR. Most of my colleagues worked like this.
    Klausbernd :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      I was hoping there was a magic moment, but I see I was mistaken. I tried your method the other day, and was surprised when the results were good!

      Liked by 1 person

      1.  Avatar

        Well done 👍👍

        Like

  3. Leanne Avatar

    I agree, write when the mood strikes you. If mornings are better, write then.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      At the moment, I am writing here there and everywhere, but if this is what it wants, I can cope. As long as it gets words on the page!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Widdershins Avatar

    Writing? What is this thing you call ‘writing’? :D

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      That thing we never seem to get around too, but is still driving our minds crazy… I take it you aren’t doing any at the moment?

      Like

  5. John W. Howell Avatar

    This is a tough one. I usually write first thing, but I know not everyone is a morning person. I think if you could just find a half an hour and be satisfied with that, over time you would produce an amazing amount. the key though, is filling the half hour and then quitting until the next day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      At the moment, I am letting the muse have its way, it seems to be working, but at all hours of the day! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining…

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

          It’s working, thats the main thing!

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Author Jan Sikes Avatar

    There is no easy answer, Jaye. It’s different for each of us. Do what works for you. Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes Avatar

      That’s the problem, Jan. I can’t seem to find a time that works for me (and the rest of the family) although they watched a film last night, and I managed to write a complete chapter. So maybe I just have to do my best!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. cagedunn Avatar

    I do it in three stages – a bit in the morning, a bit before lunch, and a bit after lunch (or after the early news – which I usually nap through).

    Like

  8. Goff James Avatar

    At what ever age we are at, this question/problem always raises its head. My advice is write when one is not burdened by self-inflicted imposed margins. Just write when one can and enjoy those moments of writing. Happy Writing Moments My Friend.

    Like

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