Most of my writing, with the exception of my poetry, occurs in the morning. It’s when my mind makes better connections. The words come more easily and aren’t weighted with the cares of the day.
While the early morning hours may be my best writing ones, I practice writing at other times of the day. It’s hard, but I believe in stretching my writing muscles. I think it’s important to practice writing when it’s more challenging because it prepares me to write when circumstances are entirely adverse: insomnia, unemployment, heartbreak.
It also prepares me to write when circumstances are good. I have the opportunity to attend a concert, go to a conference, spend the day with a friend, visit family. All those things interrupt my usual routine, meaning that my mornings get a little out of kilter. I could get upset about the loss of my routine, but that isn’t the true source of the upset.
The upset has more to do with missing the writing. The practice of writing is what is important. It is what steadies me and moves me forward as a writer. The time of day is not.
What about you? Do you have a writing practice? Is the practice itself more important than the time of day?
[…] insights into how to become better writers and photographers. Erin asks writers if they have a writing practice. She also asks which is more important, the practice or the time of […]