A question that every writer is bound to face sooner or later is,”What is the best time to write?”
The politically correct answer would be: “When inspiration strikes” or even a, “When you feel like it.”
But if you write on a regular basis, or have a regularly updated blog, I am sure, you are aware that waiting for inspiration to strike you is a definite recipe for not getting anything written. Sometimes, you are so far from being inspired that you are actually looking for excuses to do anything but write. How can you get yourself to write during such times?
If you want to be taken seriously as a writer, or a blogger, you have to meet deadlines and, more likely than not, write according to a schedule. Also, if you want to make money as a writer, writing to a schedule becomes even more important.
This, however, does not mean that writing is not a creative process. It most definitely is. So the key here is to be inspired at will, rather than wait for inspiration to hit you.
Sounds difficult?
It is. Probably even more than it sounds. But, it can be done. The one and only way to write regularly, I think, is to practice, and practice as much as you can. Here are a few things that you can do to be inspired:
- Write a lot, if possible write every day.
- Every time you sit down to write, tell yourself that you won’t stop before you write a certain amount of words, and that too in specified time.
- Write regularly. Writing every day is best, but if for some reason you can’t do it every day, make a schedule for yourself. You can write every third day, or two times a week. The interval does not matter, as long as you have made a schedule, and are following it.
- Identify the time of the day when you are most likely to be creative. It varies from person to person – for some it is the sunrise, for others it is the sunset. Only you know what time of the day brings out your creative best. Keep that time aside for writing, and ensure that you do not have anything else scheduled for that time.
- Lastly, writing is fun, that is why you want to write. Right? When play becomes work, you don’t enjoy playing as much as you used to when it was not work. So make sure that you don’t put too much pressure on yourself to write. Make it come naturally. It will take time and patience, but it will happen.
So, do you have a time of the day when you are at your writing best?
Late at night, when it’s quiet or on a dark day while it’s raining. That’s perfection as far as atmosphere goes, for me…
Great post, very good suggestions to keep in mind.
For me, the best time to write is in the mornings. After lunch my brain goes into its food coma. But I think you are correct about writing to a schedule. They say it takes six weeks to form a new habit, good or bad, and I’ve found that if I push myself to stick to the habit, it shifts from another notch on my schedule to a pleasure.
Great post! For me, isnspiration strikes at the oddest of times, at different places, different times of the day… The trigger may lie inside me, or in someone I may meet, or see.
I read a few topics. I respect your work and added blog to favorites.
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
Late night for me too. When the entire neighbourhood is asleep. It’s so serene then. 🙂
I stumbled upon your blog when I was looking for something about writing. I must say, you are good. I checked a few other posts. They are pretty useful.
I think I’ll drop by often. Ty for writing this:)