Though I am what most people would call a "morning person," I don't enjoy getting up ridiculously early. On a typical weekday, my alarm goes off at 4:36 a.m. The process then goes something like this:
- Contemplate throwing alarm clock out window (realize this would take too much energy)
- Lie in bed, listening to just one song (hate radio stations who play "Apple Bottom Jeans" at 4:36 a.m.)
- Lie in bed, listening to just one more song (seriously, this time)
- Force self out of bed and into the shower (tripping over the cat is optional, but likely)
- Shower (errors may include stepping into shower while still wearing at least one article of clothing, using body wash instead of conditioner, etc.)
- Get dressed (chances of clothes matching: slim to none)
- Gulp coffee (burn mouth)
- Write
So why do I put myself through all of that? Why don't I just write in the evening? Simple. Because when I try to write in the evening, it goes something like this:
I'll just check Pinterest real quick before writing. Ooo, that looks like a fun DIY project. But I would need lumber. Where does one buy lumber? A hardware store? I should search for the nearest hardware store. Why are they called hardware stores anyway? Twitter will know. I'll ask Twitter. Oh, look! 3 people tweeted. Oh, look! 4 more people tweeted. Oh, look! 1 more person tweeted. Wait, what was I doing? Pinterest. Right. That recipe looks delicious....
Before I know it, the day is gone and my word count is 0.
But if I'm going to get out of bed 2 hours before I need to? I'm not going to waste time on Pinterest. I'm not going to let time pass with nothing to show for it. I'm going to work. As a result, my morning word counts are typically high.
Plus, there's something magical about writing while it's dark and the rest of the world is asleep. It's quiet and calm in a way that doesn't exist the rest of the day.
I know what you're going to say. But Erin, I can't get up that early. My "writing" would look like hgdffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff because I'd end up doing this:
I get it. For you, my dear keyboard sleeper, here are some 5 a.m. writing tips:
Plus, there's something magical about writing while it's dark and the rest of the world is asleep. It's quiet and calm in a way that doesn't exist the rest of the day.
I know what you're going to say. But Erin, I can't get up that early. My "writing" would look like hgdffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff because I'd end up doing this:
I get it. For you, my dear keyboard sleeper, here are some 5 a.m. writing tips:
- Check in on Twitter with #5amwritersclub. There's an entire group of supportive people who will write with you. For me, the accountability and camaraderie are huge.
- Coffee. Tea. Diet Coke. Caffeine. 'Nuff said.
- Find a friend. Once a week, I try to meet up with one or two of my local writing friends. We're usually at the coffee shop by 6:30. It's my favorite morning of the week.
- Invest in one of those alarm clocks that runs away from you.
- Remember, this isn't time that you have to write. This is time that you get to write. Attitude is everything.
Try it for a week. Or even a day. You might like it.
And while you're at it, pass the coffee.
