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?
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My best time of day to be productive is definitely late morning, but I’m learning to push through no matter what the time of day. Like you, I enjoy reading at bedtime. It’s so relaxing!
Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway, Vicky!
Kate
Mid morning after all chores are done. Then I have the rest of the day to do whatever I want. Like crochet or read.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Grace!
Kate
Absolutely early morning for me.
Absolutely good luck to you in the giveaway, Crissy!
Kate
To be honest it is late night. I don’t know why but I get my energy then. Early morning I am just dragging even after coffee. Like a light bulb goes off at night and I can’t sleep till something is done. Love your books and the purse is gorgeous!
Blessings
Diana
Thanks so much for leaving your comment, Diana!
Kate
My most productive tim is early in the morning. After I have breakfast, I am at my peak time. It seems that my mind is fresh and my body eager at this time of day.
Wishing you good luck in the giveaway, Pam!
Kate
Best time early in the morning. Up with the chickens. Seems chores go by doing them quickly. With the morning breeze. Especially in summer before it gets hot and humid.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Keren!
Kate
I am a night owl and usually prefer to work in the early evening for work items – grading, lesson planning, etc. For fun things, like my stitching, I usually will work later in the evening or before bed. I have a tendency to be a night owl, so working on anything too early isn’t as easy for me! 🙂
Good luck in the giveaway, night owl!
Kate
Get up 5 in the morning to water my yard and all my flowers before it gets hot then i come in shower and have my coffee!
Sounds as if you accomplish a lot first thing, Melissa!
Kate
My best time of day to write is usually morning. However, I have been known to stay up late at night to finish a story. 🙂
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Melissa!
Kate
My best time to get things done is in the morning….I usually have my TO DO list made up the night before and “attack” it early..I like to do things early and have the rest of the day to ?? “do more” or relax a little …sometimes the relaxing doesnt come or its a good bit…but like to do morning things .. that way
they are done !
Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway, Kris!
Kate
I like getting things done in the mornings. I seem to be at my best especially if I’ve had a good nights sleep. .
Good luck in the giveaway, Fay!
Kate
My most productive tine of day is after 8 AM in the morning. After routine chores are done, then I find I can tackle the major projects for the day!
Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway, Joy!
Kate
My most productive time of day is first thing in the morning. I must be a morning person because as soon as my feet hit the floor and I roll out of bed, I make the bed, go and brush my teeth ,and get ready for my morning. I head out to the horses to tend to them ,and on the way past the laundry room I start the wash as I’m heading out to the barn. I come inside and get my shower then start the cleaning of the house right away. I always feel better when I get the stuff done ASAP.
Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway, Thelma!
Kate
I like to wake up early, have a cup of Chai tea and relax for an hour or so. Then I get up and get started for today, no matter what I’m doing. Then I continue to work through the afternoon.
Good luck in the giveaway, Cynthia!
Kate
Morning is the best time for me to get my chores out of the way, afternoon and evening then are my time to sew or Facebooking. Before trying to go to sleep I must read for a while.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Mary Jane!
Kate
Evenings. it is when i Quilt, crochet, or read an Amish book.
Sounds great, Charlotte!
Kate
My best time of day would be just after breakfast. I make a mental list in my head while making breakfast of what I want to get done that day. Then off I go to get it done. Working on removing two overgrown vines that are near windows.Great to have the light back coming in the windows.
You accomplish a lot, Jeanne!
Kate
Today it was morning. Tomorrow it might be afternoon!It all depends on what needs doing. As a widow I am more flexible than most
It never hurts to be flexible, Mary Beth!
Kate
My most productive time is in the early evening. I have the most energy at that time.
Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway, Amy!
Kate
My most productive time of day is early morning. I am a teacher, so even in the summer, I work on plans for the following year. During the school year, I work early in the mornings on weekends to prepare for the next week.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Susan!
Kate
Mornings are my most productive. I love to get everything done so my afternoons are free for some me time!
Good luck in the giveaway, Cindy!
Kate
My best time is from 9 am to 1 pm after that forget it and I am working on fairy lanterns and bling lights.
Thanks for leaving your fun comment, Kim!
Kate
I write whenever the inspiration hits! A lot of times it is late at night, and rainy days and nights…I adore the rain…my favorite time to write! With a cup of coffee close by, and a bird singing in the rain!
Sometimes I have to stop writing and do something completely different for inspiration to hit, Ramona! Pays to be flexible.
Kate
My most productive time of the day is mornings. I am not a night person.
You sound like me, Dawn! Good luck in the giveaway.
Kate
I find that Morning is my best time to finish any project weather that is returning a note, sending a card, returning an email, crafting, baking, evening starting the days meal. I love the quiet of the morning hours before the day gets to busy. I am like you Kate in the fact that I love to read at night and find that is the best way to relax from the busy day. It’s funny that I also at times out of no where have a word pop into my head and a lot of times it’s a word from my husbands native language or it’s a Pennsylvania Dutch word and I can’t relax until I find out what it means. Which means I’m looking it up or asking my husband somtimes that involves waking him up in the middle of the night, lol
Thanks for leaving your fun comment, Cherese!
Kate
I’m also a morning girl. But not today. Had major dental work yesterday and didn’t get as much sleep as usual. 🙁 but this too, shall pass (I hope!)
You poor thing, Sonja! I hope you’re all better now and sleeping well.
Kate
Morning is my most productive time too. I don’t like to see “the day get away from me”.
Thank you, Kate.
I know that feeling, Sharrie! In a blink the day can pass by.
Kate
Mid morning or late afternoon ty for this great giveaway chance
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Jean!
Kate
Most days I get the most done 11am to 2pm.
Sometimes I have trouble sleeping so I get up late.
And it is Summer time in Georgia so it is better to get things done before 2.
When you’re having trouble sleeping, you might as well sleep in and catch up. Sleep is all important, Vickey.
Kate
I’m a night owl so late night is my most productive time. I’m not a writer but I read and review. I tend to write my best reviews at that time.
Good for you, night owl, Gail! Thanks for leaving your comment!
Kate
My most productive time of day is late morning. After a breakfast with my husband and fur babies, I feel refreshed and ready for the day.
Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway, Karen!
Kate
I get more motivated around 11 -noon not a early morning person unless we are camping then I am up & adam lets go explore the area !
How great that you go camping, Brenda!
Kate
After I have been up for a couple of hours works best for me to be productive. Coffee before anything is a must, and I like to make sure everyone in my family has what they need for the day before I get into anything.
I might not survive without coffee, Tracie. My doctor says it’s okay …
Kate
I am retired. I can do most days anytime. I prefer early morning.
I find that when you let things until the last minute, they get done very quickly!
Thanks for living your comment and entering the giveaway, Elaine!
Kate
I prefer to get up and get my day started then I can do other stuff later in the day !!
Good luck in the giveaway, Sharon!
Kate
I’m most productive early morning.
Thanks for writing, Lea!
Kate
Afternoon’s are my most productive time of the day.
Wishing you good luck in the giveaway, Kim!
Kate
If I have had a good night’s sleep, then mid morning is a good time for me to write, think, create.
A good night sleep makes everything right, Claudia!
Kate
Early morning or late at night.
Sounds good, Michelle. I wish I were as flexible!
Kate
Early morning is my best time
Thanks for leaving your comment, Billee!
Kate
I am also a night owl always have been, mornings for me are work, as I work from home on the computer, need some downtime when done my work day to unwind from the calls and other stuff I do. So later in the evening starting around 8-9 pm and later I do my journaling and able to relax enough to do some writing , never been published but enough it for myself.
Good luck in the giveaway, Debbie!
Kate
yardwork need a book to escape as hubby has ca
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Deb!
Kate
The best time for me to get things done is after 2 when my soaps are over! Or after lunch on the weekends. I just am not a morning person at all any more since I can’t work
I am glad you have some good time, Ellen!
Kate
Lovely purse!
My days differ. If I’ve slept well I like to get up and get going, so to speak. On mornings that I don’t feel so perky I will get a second wind in the afternoon and I get a lot done then. Mostly, because it’s so hot now, I get up and get out and do any errands I need to do first, then when I get home I’m in a mood to get something done. 🙂
Sorry you have to contend with so much heat, Loretta! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
i am most productive around 10 am after ive had my breakfast and coffee and showered
Sounds like a good time, Amy!
Kate
Nice giveaway! Loved your sharing!
Linda Marie Finn
Thanks, Linda. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
For knitting when the tv is on especially World Cup Soccer. For reading any time of the day. For card making when they are needed. I make them for all occasions but don’t do them and stock them. I need to be inspired by the person and event. Other productive things….as and when needed but I am definitely better middle of the day and late at night.
I wish I had as many good and productive times, Lori!
Kate
Saturday mornings!
I could have guessed that, Connie. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Kate
My most productive time is in the early morning. I get up and start cooking veggies or preparing the meat or chicken for dinner. It is also my time to do some laundry or fold dry clothes Thaks for this nice giveaway Kate
Thanks for leaving your mouthwatering comment, Patti!
Kate
Early morning, 5 to 7. Quiet, I pray, meditate Andreas scripture to set the tone of the day.
After that I have a little time for ‘me projects’ before the rest of the demands of the day begin.
Sounds like a lovely way to start your day, Mary!
Kate