Monday, October 14, 2013

The Right Timing to Write


There is something about waking up when the world is still sleeping which brings solace and comfort to my soul.  It provides a soothing to my aching thoughts and outermost desires as well as a sense of mysteriousness in my writing.  Because I start work at noon, I’ve made it a habit to be in bed by 10pm so I can succumb to my morning ritual of waking up between five and five-thirty a.m.  I sit and lavish in the light of my candles and stillness in the evening darkness which paves a path for the morning light. 
 


As my fingers tap away at the keyboard, there is an immense opening which stands beautifully crafted in front of me, giving me a window of opportunities since my mind is as fresh as the start of a kind new day.  Every so often, as I gaze up from my laptop, I notice the black slowly becoming lighter shades of dark blue with gaps of scattered white clumps.  Eventually, this all metamorphoses into a kaleidoscope of colors as the sun shares her stories and travels in shades of pink, blue, orange, and gray.  Colors leftover from her visits to the other side of the world; brought here for the freedom of our ventures in writing.   Because these moments seem to pass quickly as the sun continues to rise, I try to capture and hold onto the brevity of such a peaceful and promising portrait. 
My thoughts glide much easier from my inner-darkest secrets and imagination to the words revealed and staring back at me.  The realness and serenity of the sky provides tiny seedlings of the day which offer me a new hope in my writing.  I embellish in the insignia of God’s work which unfolds right before my eyes.  All of this beauty is a simple joy experienced through my very own porthole at the wee hours of an opportunistic morning. 



As the minutes pass and the blazing orange and pink colors battle the white light above the horizon and try to make their way through the scattered clouds, I almost feel lifted.  Echoes of planes shouting across the skyline take my mind to far off destinations and a world where I am the creator.  Yes, I am the one in control of the fate of my pen and the people and places my mind will meet.  I observe how this picture resembles so many things in my life.  For instance, the simplicity and peace in nature can sometimes be overlooked and never appreciated because acts of addiction or selfishness once destroyed all things gifted, beautiful and strong. 
I’m also an avid coffee junkie in the morning.  My first and number one priority once that 5 a.m. alarm buzzer goes off is to groggily make my way over to the coffee pot and push the brew button.  Depending on the season and my mood, there are several of favorites which I enjoy waking up to.   Around this time of year, I love Dunkin Doughnuts ground pumpkin spice coffee.  During the winter time, there is a fantastic brand called Winter Blend from Manhattan Bagel.  This is probably my favorite because it has a smooth flavor and kick to it.  I tend to splurge on a few bags so I am well equipped to conquer my tendency to stay curled up like sponge during the winter; soaking up all of the warmth as I bury myself under the blankets. 
 

During the summer months, I find it much easier to wake up, even at times, with no alarm.  I will still light candles and surround myself in an atmosphere where my mind can travel to those places it so desperately longs for.  But as far as my coffee goes, it is a much lighter brew since the bitterness of the cold can no longer seek rapture upon me. 

I don’t know about you, but once I get home from work, my brain is literally close to shut-down mode.  Because I tend to get home around 7:30 and 8:00pm, I usually scramble to get dinner ready, sit down to collect my thoughts after being on my feet all day, and squeeze in some time to catch up with friends and family.  As much as I fight it, I might be able to answer a few emails here and there, make some comments on the numerous blogs I follow, and even post some tweets.  However, as far as my writing goes, it is a sacred treasure which only has an opportunity to be discovered by my irreplaceable morning delight. 

 

Do you have any writing rituals?  Is there a time (morning, afternoon, or night) when you are more focused on your writing?  Are there times when you find yourself in complete shut-down mode and are unable to even glance at the computer screen? 

17 comments:

  1. I write while my daughter's at school because I'm the only one home and I can focus.

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    1. I, too, love writing when no one is around. Not only does the solitude provide time to focus, but there is something so magical in the stillness of silence and reflection.

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  2. Watching the sky colours change makes me smile. Always. I love how early you get up and the flavours of coffee you have. (I take mine after lunch.) My writing is usually done either very early in the morning or at night, between after-dinner and bedtime. The mid-times are taken up by visiting blogs and lessons.

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  3. That's a great way to split up your day, Claudine. Sometimes, I wish I could write at night but my mind just can't seem to concentrate. I do, however, keep a journal and pen on my night stand next to my bed. This way, when I dream of an idea, I can just quickly turn on the light and jot it down so I don't forget.

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  4. I love both dawn and sunsets, and I ALSO like staying up till the "wee sma's" which can be a big problem during the week, when I can't nap like I can on the weekends. Right this minute as I type I'm watching the sky lighten in the East.

    I also need morning caffeine. but take mine in the form of Mountain Dew, since I can't stand the taste of coffee (though I enjoy the smell).

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    1. That's exactly what I love watching as I sit in front of my window, Beverly. Wow, Mountain Dew...really?=)

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  5. Definitely morning! And like you, my writing time is 5:00 am, and then I write until at least 7. I have to have my coffee, too! But I preset my coffee pot for around 4:45-ish so that when I wake up, the smell of the coffee lures me to the computer:) And then after work, I don't even think about writing. I do something completely mindless until it's bed time.

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    1. Same here, Quanie. I MIGHT do some light networking, but most of the time, I'm relaxing and catching up with Law and Order, Two Broke Girls, Sleepy Hollow, or The White Queen=)

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  7. Beautifully written piece, Gina! I am definitely not a morning person, so I'll leave the early morning writing to you and the other early birds. lol Now-a-days I get my writing in during the late afternoon (4 pm) and early evening hours (before 8:00 pm). During the day I am busy doing other work and chores. It's funny how writing habits can change though. I used to be able to stay up to 3 am writing. And it felt so freeing writing in the pitch of night while everyone else was asleep. :)

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  8. Chrys, I admire you for being able to write until 3am! Once, I stayed up until 1am for several nights in a row, trying to finish a piece I wanted to submit to Writer's Digest. I just felt myself cramming so much of the story together that it didn't flow well. I was so tired but made myself stay up to do the work. I decided not to send it in the end because when I re-read everything, it felt forced. I wish I had known about the contest sooner and I would have paced myself with my morning ritual=) Thank you for your kind words!

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  9. Oh this post speaks volumes to fellow writers! I find that I need quiet time to do my best writing. I was lost when my laptop quit on me because that was my private little window to writing - in privacy. I can use the desk top at home but I feel naked - like there's no barriers around me and anyone can walk up behind me at any time. It's a strange feeling that I feel so "open" ... Granted, I post it publicly when it's all said and done, but writing just needs a certain environment and ambiance.
    I also can't write when I'm tired - I find that the silence gives me the best platform... my thoughts just are nowhere to be found when I'm low on fuel.

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    1. Oh, I definitely agree about the ambiance. I can't concentrate even with headphones and music on if Felix is in the room. I love sitting out in our living room by the big window facing the trees, skyline and delicious hills. Sometimes, there's even deer walking around=) But if Felix is home, I tend to hide in the bedroom at the desk and take time to gaze at my portraits of the sea instead of the skyline. I guess most of us prefer the utter silence and solitude since it provides so much mystery in our writing.

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  10. Love this. Coffee, candles, the peace and serenity of early morning—what's not to love? Early morning is also my favorite time of the day and when I can it is also my chosen time to write. However most days I need to get to work before rush hour traffic hits. If I can get to work early enough the office is quiet and I can do a little writing there. I am looking forward to the the day I can arrange my life around my most optimal writing schedule. For now, I fit it in where I can fit it. Alas the life of the creative person who has to make a living. But I know I am hardly alone.

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    1. You sure aren't, Carol. I long for days where I could write permanently and not have to cater to the work schedule. And I'm sure all of us writers do! But we manage to make the most with what we have which is why the creatives always find time to tell their stories.

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  11. **There is something about waking up when the world is still sleeping which brings solace and comfort to my soul. **

    Lovely.

    My Ritual. I write all day long (inside my head!)

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  12. Thank you for sharing=) I, too, write in my head which is why I always try to carry around a pen and journal around with me. I also have a notepad next to my bed.

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