I think that to become a good writer it’s important to write not only when the literary mood strikes you, but every day. Discipline is crucial, especially when it comes to writing a novel, which requires much editing and rewriting, both painstaking tasks.
I work on Oliver Colors’ biography in the morning, just after I wake up. I begin at around 7:30 and write for three to four hours. I do not let anything distract me, except romantic thoughts involving married women.
It took me a while to make morning writing a daily habit, but I have succeeded, and now I joyously flutter to my desk every morning, as constant as the sun.
Writing has become a process my body requires for its proper functioning, like eating, drinking, or sleeping.
I should mention that to get where I am now I have made use of my door lock many times and with great success,vexing the other people in the house. I have no regrets.
The one ironclad rule is that I have to try. I have to walk into my writing room and pick up my pen every weekday morning. ~Anne Tyler
By writing in the morning I can give Oliver’s biography my best hours, when my mind is clear and fresh. Also, it means that I write something everyday before any distraction appear. (Most distractions tend to occur after noon.)
At first I used to write in the evening, and read in the morning. Evening writing was not bad, but I was often tired by the time I sat at my desk to write. Sometimes unexpected incidents occurred during the day, and I had less time for writing than I expected.
Now I go to sleep every night without regrets because I know I made some progress during the day.
I don’t write only in the morning. There are Saturdays and Sundays when I write all day long. And everyday I try to write as much as I can, and often do it for six hours or more. Eleven sometimes. I see my morning writing sessions as the most important though.
The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes. ~Agatha Christie
Most people go to work after they wake up. When you write in the morning you make writing your work.
To become an author, I think that it’s important to make writing seem like work. In this way you treat it with respect and make more room for it in your life.
(This is an old post edited and republished.)
When do you write?
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boy with a hat 
I write in the mornings as well. I’m gone for 12 hours a day and have had to restructure my writing routine (I used to write after work around 2pm). Now I get up at 4:30 am and put some time in writing. I don’t have much time, but even ten minutes is progress and I can be happy with that.
Awesome post. This will get tons of views. 🙂
We enjoy similar schedules. An off-the-subject comment, you always pick the most delightful pictures to accompany your posts. Well done.
I look hard for them sometimes. 🙂
I write late in the night after everybody else is asleep. Least distracted then. Not so tired because I work from home and can afford to sleep in a little later than most people. P.S Your posts are very inspiring.
Are you perchance related to Amitva Ghosh? 🙂
Nope. Ghosh is a common Bengali last name 🙂
Great tips. What you write is your image.
I have a hat and I tip it to you. 🙂
Right now I write whenever I can grab time. I have a day job which is fairly demanding so evenings are not good for me. Unfortunately I’m not a morning person either, or at least not until I’ve finished my first cup of tea. But I like the idea of writing first thing, before all the distractions. I just have to make the effort!
Do try! It’s tricky at the beginning, but then you’ll wake with the birds.
Actually if I got up when my cat Luisa starts to paw at me (“Feed me!”), I’d have a lot more time in the morning for writing 🙂
Like you, I usually write in the mornings. You are right that most distractions occur after noon…so it’s good to see that you have been able to discipline yourself even at your young age. Of course, it’s to your advantage to be unmarried and unattached…so now get all the writing done that you can…life has a way of getting busier and busier!
I’m the bachelor type I suspect. And I’m not at all eager to raise children. But then I think of poor Benedick… I shall say no more!
Do you have any tips for helping to create a morning writing habit? I find its hard to do anything but attempt to wake up in the morning, sometimes.
1. Set a daily word count. Small at first. Also have a goal.
2. Don’t drink tea or coffee late at night.
3. Handwrite your morning thoughts.
4. Unplug your Internet cable. (Or turn off wireless.)
5. Break up with your boyfriend. (Or make love with moderation, so that you are not tired in the morning.)
Yes, I too am a morning writer and could not imagine my mornings getting off the ground without this daily practice!
-Christina
For my part you can write any time you like, it is just so good to read you. Good idea to re-post some previous entries for newcomers like me.
I did wander through your pearls of wisdom like one would take a stroll through a magical refreshing forest.
I should find a hat myself, and the sooner the better 🙂
Bonne journée !
Je ne parle pas Francais, mai…
I blush and tilt my hat toward you. 🙂
I write when I find the time, the thing is it always seems like a scarce resource {working full-time and single mother}. I have a quote printed about how Albert Einstein, Newton, Hemingway etc all had the same hours in the day as I… so my excuse? I’m either happy with this burning pain of needing to write this story fighting to get out or too afraid to reach for what I dream. The creative habit truly necessitates daily practice and writing is but an expression, as if eternity and a moment danced in the rhythm of time.
I have a present for you for inspiring MY writing so much! ^_^ http://vathev.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/ive-been-awarded-an-award/
I am young and have minimum experience so far, but I try to write whenever I get the chance. Life is crazy, I take every opportunity I can.
Well, thats the problem-I have been waiting for inspiration..well, until today. TODAY, i went after it with my literary club! And I got some lovely stuff. Promise me that you’ll read them !! 🙂
I shall Ali. 🙂