There has been more than one time when I have been asked what my typical writing day consists of.  I have read of famous authors who talk of their strict regimen while I have also heard of other authors who only write when the mood strikes.  There are many other authors that fall in between and I can say that would best describe me.   

I am not a morning person, so those that get up early before anyone else, many times before the sun, are not writers I can relate to. I do my best work between 10 PM and 2AM.  When I do get up in the morning does depend on the previous night’s productivity level (how intense and engrossed I got into writing).  No matter when I get up, I do not even bother trying to be productive in the writing department until 10 AM.  Prior to that, I do household and puppy duties as my beloved “moose” Maynard demands my attention after a night of rest.  I take care of my “girls” (our chickens) and spend time walking outside on our property- yes, even on the nasty winter weather days we have had!  In the morning, I try to work on writing school things, leaving time for my other writing in the afternoon.  Now this is all in theory, mind you.   

One thing I know about working from home is, distractions can throw a huge monkey wrench into ones plans.  How many of you have the best intentions of writing and then notice that the pencils need sharpening, the shelf is dusty, or have a sudden need for that special type of cookie that only you can bake?  Laundry, neighbors, phone calls, children, pets, the list of distractions is endless.  Many can be very easily justified that they require our time right this minute.   

I have to say I fall victim to these (and other) distractions much easier during the day then late into the night.  By the time night comes, my husband and I have had our time together, my puppy finally crashes, the phone does not ring, no neighbors will come by, and I do not even think of rattling dishes, or starting laundry at that hour.  For me, my mind is free to release myself from my worldly duties and just dream; I am just not ready to do it while sleeping quite yet.  It is nice also because if I do not have a productive writing day, I don’t have to feel guilty, I know that there is always late at night when I can relax, sip tea, pull up a pillow behind my back, and write away.  Of course, you can flip that if you are one of those morning people, but that is my secret.    

Here are other tips that can help, if you don’t think that will work for you.  Try turning off the volume on your phone; post a sign on the door that says “at work, call after 5 PM;” give yourself a deadline and tell yourself if you had a 9-5 job in an office, you would not be able to do the laundry so it does not matter that you cannot now; and while you are envisioning that you are at the 9-5 job, remember what that was like and how much better your life is now as a writer - then write! (Or you may have to be back at that 9-5-office job!)  One of the great things about being a writer at home is you don’t have to waste precious time getting dressed; the creativity flows just as well in our “jimmies” as it does in a dress or suit and they are far less distracting!  (There aren’t many careers that can say they get to “dress for success” in that way!)  And so it goes, in this writer’s daily life…

© March 3, 2008 Marie Boyum