I always thought I’d be an early morning writer. That was mainly because when raising a family and working full time, the early mornings were the only times I had peace and quiet to write. On weekends I would get up at 5 a.m. and write until my teenagers finally staggered into the kitchen seeking food.
I had my future all planned. When I finally had time to myself, I would rise at the crack of dawn, write until noon and then have my afternoons and evenings for everything else I wanted to do or people I wanted to see.
Well, it turns out I am an afternoon writer. Yes, my plans for early morning time with my keyboard have gone out the window. I like sleeping in till 8-ish after all those years of rising at dawn and going to work which meant commuting downtown. I like a leisurely breakfast and then read, meditate, text with friends, do social media stuff and maybe fuss with a few things around the house. TV is off limits until the evening and I enjoy quiet mornings. After lunch is when I settle down at the keyboard, coffee in a mug and get to work.
And you know it is working for me. I have published 12 novels in two series since 2020 plus a craft book and a collection of Christmas stories. And I am starting work on a new series which will come out later this year. So, if any of you reading this are having trouble settling to a writing routine, step back and listen to your mind and body. Perhaps you are not writing at the time of day that really works for you. Try a different part of the day.
When do you do your best writing?
