Writing and Our Circadian Rhythms

Van Gogh Siesta

I’m definitely a morning person. I get up at 5:00 each morning, if not before. Actually, I’m up most of the night, but that’s the insomnia thing.

Because of this schedule, I find I’m most productive first thing in the morning. That’s when my writing flows fastest and when I’m more creative.

In afternoon, I’ve already switched to mindless housework (laundry, straightening up, wiping down counters and bathrooms).

By evening, I’m pretty much done. I watch the news, read a book, shoot emails, and go to bed (I get my best sleep before 1:00 A.M., then the insomnia kicks in.)

Today, I’m going to try to switch this completely around.

Can it be done? I have no idea. But my daughter is having a sleep-over here tonight, and the girls will be up really late. I need to be up late too, and I thought I may as well get some good writing time in while the girls were occupied with movies, nail painting, and Barbies.

This means, though, that I will be writing at night. And I’m not a night writer.

I’m curious to see how this experiment goes. Are there many night writers out there? Do you write in both morning and evening?

Elizabeth Spann Craig

View posts by Elizabeth Spann Craig
Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series (as Riley Adams) and the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin and writes the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She also has a blog, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers. There she posts on the writing craft, finding inspiration in everyday life, and fitting writing into a busy schedule.

12 Comments

  1. alexisgrantJune 5, 2009

    I’m a morning person, too. But occasionally I’ll get a ton of words down at night — it just depends how many distractions are gnawing at me at any given moment! Good luck tonight…

  2. Lynnette LabelleJune 5, 2009

    Question for ya. Is Murder Must Advertise just for mystery writers? I write romantic suspense. Thanks.

    Lynnette Labelle

    http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

  3. Lynnette LabelleJune 5, 2009

    I just left a comment on Patricia’s blog that you might be interested in. It’s about how to grow your blog. http://patriciastoltey.blogspot.com/2009/06/painless-book-promotion-wishful.html?showComment=1244209102346#c2107558651441680566

    Lynnette Labelle
    http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

  4. Alan OrloffJune 5, 2009

    I’m not much of a morning person.

    I’m not much of a night owl, either.

    I’m at my best around noon, say from 12:00 to 12:20 or so.

    I’ve learned to write FAST!

    Good luck with your nighttime writing experiment. I have a feeling that if you can write at the roller rink and the other unusual places you’ve written lately, you won’t have any trouble writing at night.

  5. Galen KindleyJune 5, 2009

    Ha. In the Army, what you’re gonna try is called, “Reverse Cycle Training.” It’s particularly tough for pilots. However, to fly with Night Vision Goggles requires, well, night. And, NVGs are a definite asset…turns night into green-tinged day, given enough moonlight. Anyway, I’m on the same schedule as you, only in my case, I can only attribute it to old age. Sign. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

    Best Regards, Galen.
    GalenKindley.com

  6. Galen KindleyJune 5, 2009

    “Sign” (from prior comment) in modern English usage, actually means, Sigh.

    Best Regards, Mr. Typo.
    GalenKindley.com

  7. Elizabeth Spann CraigJune 5, 2009

    Reverse Cycle Training sounds like what I need. I need to be TRAINED to do this in reverse! While we’re at it, maybe we can train me to actually sleep. That would be helpful, too. (But unlikely, since I’ve had this issue for almost 40 years now.)
    Elizabeth

  8. Marvin D. WilsonJune 5, 2009

    I’m a sunriser also – but if in the “Zone” I’ll also write way into the night. :)

    The Old Silly from Free Spirit Blog

  9. Patricia StolteyJune 5, 2009

    I can write anytime, Elizabeth, but find I’m most productive and creative from noon to suppertime. Insomnia doesn’t hit me too often, but when it does, I get up, fix a cup of Sleepytime herbal tea, and read a novel. Almost makes me wish I had some insomnia right now.

    Patricia

  10. Elizabeth Spann CraigJune 5, 2009

    I’m definitely going to give it a go tonight. But it might be REALLY bad stuff, we’ll see.

    Lynnette, Murder Must Advertise on Yahoo Groups is open to all types of writers. There are lots of mystery authors on there, but plenty of other genre authors (including romance) who are on the group.

    I’m one of the lurkers there. :) I usually am not this vocal online, but I’m learning.

    Elizabeth

  11. N A SharpeJune 6, 2009

    Insomnia makes it tough. I have it too and lately my sleep pattern (what little there is of it) is switching. I usually don’t fall asleep until 4 or 5 am. I usually wake up by 7 or 8 but can’t get it together enough to write articulately. I used to do my best writing first thing in the morning now it is more mid-morning. Mid-afternoon is for blog and FB. I need to work MySpace back in the cycle – my website stats have fallen off since I haven’t been as present there. Nighttime is when I make my blog rounds.

    Good luck with the time switch – can’t wait to hear how it works out for you and what you did to make it work.

    Nancy, from Just a Thought…

  12. Elizabeth Spann CraigJune 6, 2009

    Oops….just woke up from a short nap in front of the television news. Except now it’s after midnight. I was able to get some good writing done earlier, but then I got soooo sleepy. Sigh. Guess switching things around takes practice.

    Now the sleepover girls are getting sleepy…but I’m waking up, so maybe this is the time to write some more. I suppose I should just grab my opportunities when they present themselves. Or I could just outline my next chapter.
    Elizabeth

Comments are closed.

Scroll to top