When do you enjoy writing?

It sounds like Wonderboy lives close to a forest or in the suburbs. I have a nice backyard but the heat here is in the triple digits here in the southwest so I stay inside. It does get to be around 80 degs. very early in the morning, but even that is kind of hot to me and it only gets hotter with time. If I wanted to be around trees for inspiration or for writing, I would have to go to our city park, but it still gets hot here so maybe I will do that in the fall. =)

Do you write outside, thewonderboy? I used to live in a forest, and I intended to set up an outside studio in the middle of the trees, but I never did. But I do like to be where I can see the nature outside, especially trees.

Hi Leafygreen, nice to meet you too! That's me, I don't eat regularly or well, and I drink vast amounts of coffee or tea, although some days I try to stick to decaff, which I don't much like, and I have almost cut sugar out, which is fantastic. Sometimes I'll lie down and read to give my overworked system a break. Yes, I'll do that...go out if it's a nice day: rather than take a nap, I'll go into my local town centre and get some things done if they need it. Speak again soon :)

Ahhh... a midnight writer. Thoughts of scary stories, tales of mystery and drama pop into mind. It's quiet and dark except for the lamp at your desk or is it a candle? *giggling* I see you do mostly editing these days but when you do have a chance to write, what kind of stories do you write? I take it that because you write and edit at night, you work at home? I don't mean to pry and you don't have to answer, I was just curious because it would seem very hard to write in the late night hours and still work during the day. I work at home these days as a writer and so I am lucky to be able to choose my hours to write. I also like to listen to new age music while I write; songs with no singing, just instrumentals.

Hi again, Carl! Looks like we are much the same in that we both work at home. I agree with you. We writers tend to develop some very bad habits. While I was working on my first novel I gained some weight for all the hours I spent sitting at my laptop or PC. I didn't eat well and drank too much coffee. Now that that book is done, I am trying to get more exercise even if it means not writing like I used to. I am sorry to hear about your sleep issues. The only trouble I have is trying to get to sleep and stay asleep. Most nights I do manage to get 6-8 hours of sleep. One thing I do that helps is avoid naps. A nap will throw my body's sleep pattern way off. If I get tired during the day, I get up and start doing some housework or go out. It works for me. =) Nice to meet you!

Heheh... here I am again, trying to post to your message here. But this time it will work cuz my MyLot is working now. For how long? Who knows but I am so glad its working now. To answer your response, I can totally understand the need to have all errands and chores done before settling down to write. You are able to clear your mind and relax better know that everything else in your life (at least in your home) is done and your time now is your own. It's too bad your family doesn't help with the housework though. =( You really need to put your foot down and remind them that they tend to want you to do things for them and they should help you. I don't mean to pry or judge. You see very nice is all and I am sad to hear you don't get help. Try your best to keep writing too. Don't let a day go without writing some. We writers all need to stay in practice. =D

That is exactly what I do. I think everyone has a best time for them.

The earliest I can get up would be about 6 or even 5:30AM, but then if I don't get to bed till 11PM I am too groggy to write. That's where the coffee comes in. Hahahah! As for your grandson, I can imagine how he must keep you on your toes. I hope you are able to sneak in a nap or two while he is busy at school so you can write late at night or very early in the morning. =)

I totally agree with you, Pageturner. What a nice username. =) Maybe it's because I am rested or because the house is quiet. Do you have a quiet place to write away from the TV and phone also? I often use our guest room. I have my desk there so I can be alone to write.

Awwww... I am soooo envious! Cathedral ceiling and stained glass windows? WOW! I used to live in a two story house but now it's one story. It's a lovely house though and it has all the room I need. The antique desk in your bedroom makes me of the two seater desks in movies like a "Christmas Carol" or other Dickens novels. Am I right? The writing surfaces are slanted and not movable and the top edges touch. Is that right?

Yes, actually I have two places in the house to write. We do not have television, so that is one thing that is great -- no noise from that quarter. We do watch movies, but we don't have to worry about the background noise of the television. Same for the phone -- just switch it off. If it's really early, I can stay in our bedroom as we have a huge desk for writing. It is an antique partner's desk, and I love to write at it. Usually I am the first up in the morning, and this is a good time to write. Otherwise, I can go upstairs. There is no one upstairs and I havea writing table set up there, too. Plus, it's a very nice space with cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows.

I have tried writing various times of the day but I am too easily distracted by surroundings. Sometimes I think that I should head to the library for quiet. I also found out recently that I can take my coffee or soda there. =) When I was young no one was allowed to bring drinks inside. The local Hastings bookstore is also a good place but I am not sure it has WiFi like the library does.

Oh, that's good to know about the refreshments. Now you can enjoy writing in a quiet area without distractions plus you will want to write longer because of the refreshments. I can usually write at home sometimes but this might be a good option when things are more hectic at home.

Yes, I have been using libraries for years. To me, libraries are vegetables. When I was young they were good for me, but not very attractive to use. I didn't like them, but now that I am older I do. =) And you better check with your library, Echo. It might just be a branch policy. Good luck!

I don't know if there has been any real research done to prove this fact but enough people have answered here to make it apparent that morning is their favorite time. When you write in the morning, how long do you get to write? Two hours? Three? And what kind of writing do you do? Novels? Short stories? Poetry?

All the way through the day? Sounds like you do short writings like posts, short stories, articles, etc... I know what you mean about clearing your mind of other concerns and responsibilities so you can free it up for creativity. I try to write during the day for such projects if I am able to, but for longer projects like a book chapter I stick to the mornings. I am able to get anywhere from 3 - 5 hours if all goes well. Sometimes Hubby gets up and suddenly wants to go out to breakfast or go do errands together before the weather gets too hot and I have to stop what I am writing. Life interferes but I can't complain. I think I spend way too much time at my laptop and my increasing weight proves it. =P

One should write when the muse calls them to. The urge can be quite powerful when the idea smacks you as brilliant and fresh. That interesting that your evenings are your favorite times to write but it does make sense. It really does. I try to write in the evenings when there is nothing going on and there is nothing good on TV to watch. I turn off the set and get to my laptop but... nothing happens. The mood isn't right and my mind wanders. It's like I am not in "the zone." What are you writing these days, Ally?

Heheheh!! Sounds like you keep late hours, Schengl. Is that the reason? I need my 7 hours a night so if I want to get up very early, I need to get to bed early. I find that I have trouble staying up very late to write and so it only makes sense to do my writing in the morning. I am lucky I work at home so I can adjust my schedule as I need to. I know it would be nearly impossible to write in the morning if I had to rush out the door to get to work. =)

Sounds like you have the time and freedom to write when the mood hits you, Shazooo. So you are a student? That probably means you have spare time during the day between classes, if I am not mistaken. And it also explains how studies can stress you out. Are those narratives short stories? I know how you feel about wanting to write it down when you think of something. If something pops in my head during the day my smartphone has a recording tool so I can quickly record the ideas on it, then write it down later when I have the time. Some writers suggest a notepad, a small notebook for when the ideas pop up.