For many years, I have added time and date information at the beginning of each of the entries in my writing notebook for the purposes of tracking when my best inspiration occurs. When we are prepared as writers, that is one thing, but it is quite another to track our progress and try to predict when the next magic moment of inspiration and motivation will occur.
After studying the time of day for hundreds of writing pieces, a pattern has developed. Statistically, I am most productive, inspired, and produce the best writing early in the morning hours, generally if I am writing before anyone else gets out of bed, leading me to surmise that I am an early morning writer.
Let’s go back a couple of years. When I was in college, I spent many a night staying up late trying to get my studies done. It seemed to me at the time that the daylight hours were filled with other students running up and down the hallway outside of my room; the afternoons were filled with loud blaring music which would test my sanity and concentration. There was a 24-hour quiet policy that was never followed, and rarely enforced.
Late nights are an absolutely terrible time for me to get work done; one of the hallmarks of being an introvert is being a morning person. Getting up early is something that is a part of me, and something I cannot explain. While being an early-riser has made me unpopular with those who wish to stay up late for nothing more than to socialize (most everyone I know is extroverted), the ability to show up at an early morning job on a consistent basis has put me on the fast-track to promotion and opportunity.
My father once said that important things should always be done first thing in the morning, before anything that can wait, or that which is less important. Specifically, anything which requires thought, or use of ones intellect should be completed as early in the morning as possible. Menial tasks which do not require very much thought or focus are better left to the afternoon.
It is my personal belief that the early morning hours are best suited towards intellectual and creative pursuits. It is what works best for me, but everyone is different. On a side note, when I was still living at home, I would get up early in the morning to write, photograph during the daylight hours, and develop the film and produce prints long into the evening. In other words, I worked all day long, yet the rhythm I developed became second nature after several years of trial and error.
Colophon While brainstorming this topic, I found this blog post, Trying To Stay Motivated. I also learned that I am not the only one obsessed with keeping my writing notebook near me at all times. More photography related to the featured image can be found here; Forest Sunrise.
Asides
The Man Who Wrote The Lyrics That Defined My Generation | Neil Gaiman On Writing Tips | Caught Daylight | I’m Going Through Changes
Thanks for the plug Tom! I agree that morning work is a lot more productive than work during the day. Waking up earlier is still something I want to make a habit but every time I force myself too I love the results!
You’re welcome, Nick!
If I were to go back in time to when I was rather young, I would probably agree with you. Then again, rather-young-me tended to write at any time of day, and in any manner of circumstance. I can remember scribbling in a notebook that was propped up on my knees while I sat in the back of the car and waited for my mom to finish errands at the bank/grocery store/etc.
These days it’s a completely different story. A lot of it may have to do with medical issues that I’m still working through, but I can’t get ANYTHING done first thing in the morning these days. I find it hard enough to roll out of bed on most mornings, and usually the most my brain is prepared for in those first few hours are things like making coffee and scrolling through Facebook. My brain doesn’t really seem to want to work until later in the evening, and then it’s a fairly narrow window because by the time the sun sets I’m exhausted and nothing works anymore again. lol