Welcome to the first blog post for the month of August! This month, I’m going to post some author tips: things I have learned that have helped me with my writing. This week, I’m starting with when and where I write.

Every writer has their preferences, as far as when they can get the most writing done, and where they feel comfortable. Some writers can sit up in their bed, with their laptop, late at night, and get a ton of work done. Some writers can get up at sunrise and write fifteen pages or six chapters. Personally, I’m not an early riser. I’m a bit of a night owl, and I’ve found I do some of my best writing late at night, because that’s when I come up with some of my best ideas. I have, on many occasions, awakened at three in the morning, and grabbed my notebook to jot down a thought, sentence, character, or line of dialogue that came to me.

Some writers can schedule their writing time. This has never worked for me. My creativity does not operate on a set schedule.  I can only write, if I’m in the mood. If I try to force myself at a particular time, I know my writing is going to suck. I’ve also learned not to write when I’m extremely tired. I’ve written paragraphs when I was on the verge of toppling over, only to read them later and wonder what was on my mind (or if I had been drugged) when I wrote them.

As for where I write, that changes from day to day. Sometimes I do my best writing at home. Other times, when I’m home, I just won’t feel like writing (especially if I went to work that day). At work, during my down time, I find I’m able to crank out a significant number of pages for my work-in-progress.

You know yourself better than anyone else is ever going to know you. You know what works for you, and what doesn’t. What may help one writer, may not help another. Do whatever works for you. If you can sit up until two in the morning, and write some quality material, go for it! If you do your best work after ten hours of sleep, and only write two pages a day, kudos to you. Writing shouldn’t feel forced. If you’re not enjoying it, then what is the point of writing at all?

BTW: here’s an interesting blog post on the best times of day for creative thinking:

https://lifehacker.com/the-best-time-of-day-to-get-ideas-according-to-science-1541494290

See you again next Monday.

woolastonentertainment.com