Often times we get stuck on finding sources of writing inspiration. It happens to all of us. I have written a series of posts in the past asking the question, “Who is your inspiration?” For me, that list is long and it can change often. We all have the ‘who’s’ that are on our list of writing inspiration.
We have also seen lists of “what” inspires you. A sunset, your children, a good piece if writing, a provocative thought, etc.
My question I raise to you now is, “When?”
When are You Inspired to Write?
The word “when” can conjure up many ideas so I want to be specific here. What I mean by asking, when are you most inspired, I am referring to what time of day or week do you feel most productive. Is it after you put the kids to bed or before they wake up?
Is it after you have had coffee? Or is is the last thought before you go to bed? When are you at your best? Or is it all competely random and can happen at ALL of the above times?
When am I Inspired to Write?
For instance, I am significantly more productive in the morning after coffee. It is not really the coffee that inspires me (although it helps), it is the morning that my brain seems to function best. I wake up and feel refreshed.
In addition to that I get inspired late at night as well – sort of a second wind. The worst time of day for me – when I feel least inspired, least productive – is that middle part of the late afternoon. Right around 3 pm, my brain takes a vacation, or a nap.
I don’t want to say I become completely brain dead – but, the creative side most definitely takes a break.
Different Types of Productive Thinking
I am also curious about if the type of writing or activity matters in the productive part of your day. Using me as an example again, the more creative, free-style writing seems to actually be better at the end of the day. But when I have to write the objective, magazine-style articles which may require some research, there is no way I could begin that writing at night.
I think my blog is more reflective and that is what I do at the end of the day.
What Do I Do During Non-Creative Times?
I have learned that instead of jumping on my emails and more tedious-type tasks during the “peak” times, I save this for the afternoon, during my creative brain’s “non-peak” hours. This way I don’t waste valuable time when my mind is ready to sit down and write.
Of course, there is no steadfast rhyme or rule to this – it is just what happens generally.
I think it is a wise way to get work done if you spend a lot of time on your online business or writing. Try to capitalize on the prime thinking part of your day and save the tedious taskers for your mind’s nap time.
This is a simple question, not overly thought provoking. However, your answer can conjure up more thoughts. These thoughts alone may trigger some writing inspiration.
Depending on what part of the day it is.
