Writing in Late Night

United States
February 16, 2013 4:35pm CST
There are some writers who, for better or worse, are compelled to do their writing at late night. At times, this is simply a necessity of life. We have to work outside jobs to keep a roof over our heads and put food on the table and gas in the car. Then there are the personal duties of parenting, pet care, friendship and increasingly, caring for our elderly family members. Late night is a quiet hour when the house is asleep, our myriad duties are done, and we as writers can allow our souls to let loose on the page. Writing in late night can bring uncanny new perspectives to nonfiction, fiction and poetry alike.
11 responses
• Indonesia
16 Feb 13
I love writing in the night because no one could disturb me that I can put all of my focus on my article. when you write in quiet, sometimes inspiration could come anytime and the result makes me feel so good
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Nice to meet you, red, and thank you for your generous response to this discussion on writing in late night. I couldn't agree more. Writing in late night rocks, because disturbances are unsettling and difficult to recover from when you're "in the zone."
• Indonesia
18 Feb 13
yeah.. but we also have enemy when writing in the night, it's a sleepy, haha....
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 13
Sleep is indeed one of the worst enemies of writers writing at late night, There's only so much that coffee and tea can do. You can try to have an attitude that you can stay up successfully and write in late night, sometimes that helps. The best way is to take a 15 minute power nap first, before writing in late night. Then turn on as many lights as possible, without disturbing your family. Then, put some revitalizing music on your headphones and maybe dance a bit to get the circulation going. Then you should be able to successfully write in late night.
@abhi_bangal (3686)
• India
22 Feb 13
There are various reasons why one would need to write late in the night. For me, if I were to write at that time of the hour, which I do sometimes, it is because, there is no noise and no disturbances around. That is the best time to do the job. However, there should be an off day, the next day. Then there's no problem keeping up late in the night. Otherwise, it is difficult getting up early in the morning too.
1 person likes this
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
23 Feb 13
Hi friends I agree . I prefer writing and reading at night. The reasons are the same what you mentioned. I feel i understand better if i read at night without any disturbance. yes there should be off the next day.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 13
Writing in late night has many motivations and benefits. Each writer must decide for themselves which is the best fit and why. Thank you for your post.
• United States
22 Feb 13
I totally agree with you about taking an off day after writing in late night. Your body will eventually need some rest to recuperate from writing in late night. So the day after should be a day for sleeping in, taking things easy, maybe a soak in the tub or a long, hot shower and a healthy late breakfast. Writing in late night can take a toll and one's body must be compensated for good health. If writing in late night is your normal time for writing, and you don't have to be up for a day job, school or children, you can take a tip from people who work in refineries and make a sign for your door that says "Night Worker, Do Not Disturb." This will eliminate solicitors and others disrupting your sleep cycle after writing in late night.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
17 Feb 13
A writer? - This guy - actually crh some time ago - looks like one doesn't he.
I prefer to write during the day, in accordance with a written quota of tasks: I alot a certain amount of time daily for writing, although I'm currently what could be called redistributing already written material; as well as occasionally editing writings I hope to publish in the future; and - also occasionally - contributing in a literary capacity to various sites. After supper time, I tend to be not in the mood for writing, in fact, for anything much other than napping, reading, being on the internet, talking on the phone to my close friend, watching (a) movie (s) &c. That does not mean however that I haven't written at night, because I have, at least as I recall. Because there are times - not so much lately thank goodness - when I awake in the night and can't go back to sleep. When this happens, I'll do more or less in the middle of the night what I'd normally do by day. But I don't much like it; because it means I'm forced to catch up on my sleep during the day, which is far from ideal.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Nice to meet you, Carl, and thanks for your generous response to this discussion on writing in late night. At the moment, I'm trying to do what you've already achieved: learning my circadian rhythms for writing, so I can make the most of that energy and time. It is difficult to recuperate from writing in late night sometimes, but it's either by choice or necessity, so it's worth it, either way. Best wishes on your many professional projects!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
23 Feb 13
Some people rather get up early to write for an hour before they leave the house for work. I think it depends on your energy level. Some of us are night people and some are morning people. Best to write at the time when our creative juice flows.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 13
Hi scheng, thank you for joining in this discussion on writing in late night. All writers have obligations of one sort or another, as well as their best writing times in a day. Sometimes writing in late night is best for a deadline, sometimes it's just when the creativity is at its peak.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
17 Feb 13
I prefer to write in the early morning because the kids often watch TV until late night especially during weekends. However, I think I have adjusted to writing at different hours since I have no choice especially when there are plenty of orders from the boss. There are also instances where I have to chose whether to prioritize the household chores or write in order to increase earnings.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Feb 13
Hello, yahnee, thank you for joining in the discussion on writing in late night. I know how it is with choosing between chores or writing in late night. Tonight I had to cook, wash dishes, do laundry, pick up groceries and put out trash, then still find time and energy to write in late night to increase my income. I wish you great success in increasing your income as a writer and strength for everything. It's very nice to meet you!
@w01f69 (5)
17 Feb 13
I believe that people write at night because they have nothing better to do. i know that's actually why i signed up for this site. I'm always up late at night and have nothing to do, that is until i discovered mylot!
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Welcome, wo1f, and thank you responding to my discussion on writing in late night. Mylot is a great place to practice writing at late night. Good luck with it!
• Philippines
17 Feb 13
I was a late/night person when I was still in school. But lately when I get to work in a regular schedule, my body clock seems to change a little. I get really sleep past 11 in the evening. So I usually know when it's already late because my body feels heavy already. But I want to write again at night. My mind and creativity are usually at their peak at night. It's just I programmed my body already to not stay too late. Anyway, do you know any online writing job I may be able to apply on? I really need some extra cash this time. I couldn't really think of anything else to get extra income. I'd be very happy if you could recommend one.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Greetings, lloyd, and thank you for joining in on this discussion about writing in late night. I experience some of your same challenges about wanting to take advantage of my creativity peak, but my body demanding sleep in late night. Worse yet, if I'm on a tight deadline for 20 articles requiring research. You might look into The Motley Fool's blogging program. At $50-100 USD per syndicated financial post, the pay there is much better than most.
@Liliac26 (557)
• Romania
17 Feb 13
I don't write at night because I have to (I'm lucky in this sense, I suppose, though I'm not lucky financially), but because that's the time when I feel most inspired. It's something about the feeling that everything's asleep but my imagination that makes me thrilled. It's like I'm completely alone in the world with my thoughts, and I'm free to explore them. I'm also a romantic, and most romantics love the night, moon, stars, and all that. The owl is my favourite bird, but unfortunately I live in the city, and I never get to hear/see any.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Welcome, liliac, and thank you for joining in on writing in late night. You're in good company. I'm a moon and stars-loving romantic, myself. Writing in late night, it's easier to connect with our Muses and let our thoughts and feelings flow. I hope one day you get to take a retreat to a cabin that has live owls. I thought I saw an owl once, but it was a hawk.
• India
17 Feb 13
There are two kinds of writers.One who gets ideas in morning and one who gets ideas in night.Some work in morning and some in night.One good thing of working in night is that there is less disturbance and you can have a quiet environment if you would like to.Not everyone does work in night. I am aware of few writers who do things in morning and enjoy and relax in evenings and nights.And then there are some who write in night.I think its something natural for writer and not something we can make ourselves.Its something based on individual comfort and natural timings for things.In my case, i have done most of my writings in day time.I have not been able to concentrate on things during night.I have not been nocturnal and by nature i love to wake up early and go to bed early.So mind and body switches off by night.But then there are times i have stayed late.But during those times, i have not able to concentrate and do creative writings.But then i was able to do other writings during that time.But then for night writers, well your description of things was very apt.Thanks!
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 13
Greetings, asoka, and thank you for your generous post. It's true that writers will write whenever they want or need to, but many find their creative peak by writing in late night. And I like your idea, that perhaps writers have a creative clock of sorts, and can try writing different types of work at different hours of the day. That's a very interesting thought.
@Scoopzz (54)
• United States
17 Feb 13
I found I do my best thinking and writing at night. Sometimes I get up at 1:30am just to sit quietly and let my thoughts flow. It is peaceful not to have any disruptions like the TV and the dogs. My husband is an early riser but I am usually done with my writing by then.
• United States
17 Feb 13
Heya Scoopzz, thanks for joining in. You are exactly the kind of writer who should be writing in late night. It simply works best for you.
@w01f69 (5)
17 Feb 13
I believe people enjoy writing at night because there is really nothing to do when its dark outside. think if someone isn't browsing the internet there probably watching tv or playing games. but for the people that don't enjoy those things thee is writing.