Photos from Lancaster County embellish my stories
People have asked me when my best and most productive time to write is. If I had my druthers it would be late morning or after dinner. However, I find I get my best writing done very early in the morning, before my brain gets cluttered and distracted with must-dos. Including social media, much as I enjoy it, but put on the back burner until I journal. My characters wake me up, sometimes before my early-bird husband, who sets his alarm for 4:10. I tell myself not to look at the clock and admonish my brain to Hush! But it pays me no heed and goes on contemplating ideas without my being fully conscious—especially if I have a question needing an answer. For instance, a twist in a plot. Too bad I can’t write without actually getting up. I’ve tried keeping a recorder by my bed but find jotting down notes is just as easy. And I am awake anyway, my mind eager to write.
I’m ready to write before the sun rises, as long as I have coffee.
I’ve heard of authors who get their best work done late at night. More power to them! But if I want to get a good night’s sleep, I best read someone else’s book before I attempt slumber. I adore reading before bedtime, particularly something soothing.  I usually read several items at a time, fiction and non-fiction. Nothing scary or creepy, because when I wake in the night I find it on my mind. Does that happen to you?
Using my recorder to capture my elusive thoughts at Ravenna Park in Seattle.
I have written in airports, doctor’s offices and in cars when sitting in the passenger seat. If I’m on a deadline or in the mood, I will write anywhere. Whenever/wherever an idea comes to mind, I make note of it and keep it. I have a folder of titles and of character names, yet to make their appearance in a book. Post-it’s litter my messy desk with ideas and thoughts. When it comes down to it, the best time to write is when an author can. Some of my best ideas came to me while walking, so I carry a small recorder in my pocket. Same goes for reading. I never leave home without reading material, just in case …
What would I do without my laptop? Write by hand the way Linda Byler does.
If you are considering writing, the best time is now. Take the plunge! I admit I procrastinated writing this post. Even though I knew the theme, I dragged my feet as I often do with thank you notes and sympathy cards, which are a must. I hate running late. I’m rarely late and chuckle at myself when I am, acknowledging once again that I am far from perfect. However, I’ve never been late for a publisher’s Deadline!
I wonder what time of day you are most productive when it comes to writing, returning an email, quilting, or designing a garden. The list goes on. What’s the best time for you to start or finish a project?
Enter to win this Amish made purse
Please enter to win this charming Amish made purse from Lancaster County, plus one signed book: Starting from Scratch, A Letter from Lancaster County, or one of three books from The Legacy of Lancaster County Trilogy—either CBA bestseller, Leaving Lancaster, its sequel, CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish. Winner has one week to respond. US and Canada only.
PS: You do Not need to leave a comment to enter. Just use Rafflecopter and you’re all set!
My most productive time is in the morning.
Very early mornings. I awake, start the laundry and sit in the quiet of the day with my knitting and my hot coffee. I sit with my thoughts and prayer.
Jackie, sounds like a lovely way to start your day!
Kate
Thanks for entering, Emma!
Kate
I think my most productive time is the morning or early afternoon. Right now I am working on many aspects of our household, as my husband passed away unexpectedly after open heart surgery. He was only 58.
Good luck in the giveaway, Babs!
Kate
I am most productive late afternoon. I am not a morning person and by evening I am too tired.
Thanks for entering, Jackie!
Kate
I’m most productive in the morning and early afternoon. If I haven’t started something by then, forget it. It’s not going to happen. 🙂
Thanks and good luck, Pat!
Kate
Morning is my best time. By mid afternoon I am ready to make dinner and relax with a good book to read or browse on facebook
Sounds like my routine, Lisa!
Kate
Morning!
Mornings are great, Rita!
Kate
Looks great Thank you for sharing your books with us
Thanks for leaving a comment, Linda!
Kate
My most productive time of day is early morning (after coffee of course!). I like to get my chores done & out of the way first. That gives me the rest of the day to relax, work on projects or read (unless of course I have a ballgame to go to for a grandson! 🙂 ) I enjoy your books very much so please keep doing what you do so well … entertaining us readers.
Best of luck in the giveaway, Mary!
Kate
My most productive time would be in the morning as I’m more productive the first half of the day. Once fatigue sets in I slow down.
Thanks for entering, Kathy!
Kate
I’m most productive early mornings, least productive after supper. 🙂
Same here, Robin!
Kate
Sometimes my most productive time of day is between 3 and 5 PM. Thanks for the chance to win. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Debbie!
Kate
My best time to be productive is 10am. through 3pm. After breakfast, with kitchen cleaned up, again, and laundry in and hung, stop for “lunch” sometimes, then continue either in sewing room or in the garden, or doing a DIY project. After 3, I get worn down, so I read, start dinner, and relax. I have RA, affecting my hands so I can’t quilt as much as I once did, I make quilts all the time, but use machine to piece them, and then send to a friend who has a long-arm machine, for quilting. I love to hand quilt, but I am unable to do much now. But I read at least 3 books weekly.
Wishing you good luck in the giveaway, Norma!
Kate
My most productive time is after dinner working in my vegetable garden waiting for the yummy vegetables to produce so I can get started canning! Thank you Kate for this awesome giveaway I hope I win!
Sounds great, Sarah!
Kate
Morning
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Alicia!
Kate
Probably morning now but for years I worked the night shift and that would’ve been my answer. And of course, I still am awake, doing, reading, (sometimes eating!) late at night now too. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Can’t wait to read Starting From Scratch.
Thanks for leaving your comment, Anne!
Kate
Morning as I work 3pm to 11pm in and assisted living home so I get up get my house work done that way my husband and I can spend time together setting at the lake or going out for soda or setting on the porch just being togther.
Thanks for leaving your comment, Sue. You are built of stronger stuff than I am!
Kate
I am most productive in the morning, then I get a burst of energy from about 4:00 to 6:00, then I fizzle again:)
Good luck in the giveaway, Sylvia!
Kate
My most productive time is right when I wake up or right before k fo ro sleep.
Good luck in the giveaway, Becky!
Kate
My most productive time of the day is supper time when I have to make a meal and then clean up afterwards.
Excellent, Shirley!
Kate
Morning is my best time when everyone else is still asleep!
Wonderful, Melissa!
Kate
Late morning is my most productive time to get the most accomplished .
Good luck in the giveaway, Rose!
Kate
My most productive time is in the morning and late at night. What am I working on then? E-mails, cleaning, cooking, baking, and getting my steps in.
Sounds as if you are an very productive person, Jeanette!
Kate
most productive time is in the morning after waking up for my to do list as for reading I can do that anywhere anytime lol
Thanks for leaving a comment in entering the giveaway, Chandra!
Kate
Late at night when all are sleeping. All distractIon is gone,it is so peaceful and quiet.
Thanks for leaving this soothing comment, Linda!
Kate
My best time of the day is in the late afternoon “ I work 3rd shift “ so when I get home “ I crawling into bed “
I imagine you do, Barbara!
Kate
My most productive time is 6:00 a.m. I get up, exercise for 45 minutes and then get ready for work.
I find that I am much more productive late at night when everyone else in the house is asleep. I enjoy being alone with my thoughts and ideas. My family teases me that I spend way to much time “thinking” and coming up with crazy things to do. I am forever writing lists upon lists from things to do with my grandchildren, to crafts ideas, to books I have to have, to music I want to purchase, and so on. When it is quiet I get so much accomplished because there aren’t any interruptions! 🙂
I read in the evenings. By I work full-time so evenings after 7 is my time to do whatever needs to be done.
My best time to do anything productive is the morning, seems like I am more alert.
I find my best time to get things done is between 9pm and midnight. Gives me a chance to unwind from the day. I never go to bed without reading a couple of chapters from whatever book I am reading at the time.
My most productive time of day is early in the morning around 5-6 am. I get my laundry started, sweep and mop my floors,make up the beds with fresh linens, and then I relax with a cup of coffee until it is time to put the clothes on the line and put another load in.Then it it time for my morning devotions. That is my morning.