The best time to write

I get asked all kinds of questions, the most asked being the best time to write. It’s not rocket science, and to be honest, my answer is not vaguely interesting either, but I’ll tell you anyway: the best time to write is the one that’s most convenient for you.

See? I told you it wasn’t rocket science, nor interesting.

My friend is a screenwriter. When he first started his screenwriting career, he read all kinds of books on the writing habits of famous and obscure writers. He thought that if he emulated their writing habits, then he would have the same level of literary success as they did. It didn’t take him long to realise he was wasting his time. Now, he writes at the time that is most convenient for him – and that time changes daily, all the time.

I’m a morning person – and always have been – that’s why I wake up early. I do my running and my writing in the morning. It’s no secret that from 12pm, my brain goes into lockdown, and from 3.30pm, it stops functioning altogether. Another screenwriting friend is the complete opposite, preferring instead to work through the night.

So, if you would like to have a career in writing, don’t waste your time emulating the writing habits of your favourite authors thinking it’s the magic formula to literary and commercial success. Do something more productive: find out the best writing time for you and start writing.

Rocket science it’s not.

Abidemi Sanusi, 30/11/2011