Donny Cowell

“I only write when I am inspired.  Fortunately, I am inspired at nine o’clock every morning”

A quote attributed to many describes the secret of most good writers. While a few can blitz through an expression, seemingly at the last possible moment; most successful writers find a means of quiet persistence.

My Experience

Admittedly, I have often delayed to a deadline. I had an IQ of 128, an insatiable desire to grow my knowledge, and a near eidetic memory. I could push myself hard under stress too.

I have gotten older though. I can’t handle adrenaline and caffeine fueled rush sessions almost at all now. I am sure I am less sharp and my IQ is probably much nearer average now. Expanding knowledge now feels like a deepening trauma. I can’t remember as precisely as I used to, because I no longer want to.

So even I use a more standardized and regimented writing method now.

Prerequisites

If you have serious talent, or simply enough in some cases, you may not need to meet all of these  requirements. A sufficiently talented writer might even need something a bit different to operate at peak efficiency/capacity. However, above a minimum capability, no true talent for writing is needed to accomplish publishing entire volumes or books.

Maintain a good physical fitness. Get your life under control or reasonably stable. Manage your vices and addictions. Get into a good sleep pattern. There can be a lot of time and effort needed to achieve this.

The Method

Very few people don’t benefit from starting around sunrise. Experiment with skipping breakfast. Some people need it, others are held back by it. Begin establishing the habit of stopping briefly at mid day. Working through can be worth it, but as you mature and age, you may find that it is best to take the break and hold the rhythm.

Your midday break should be personalized to you but should likely last 1.5 hours to 5 hours. Open with lunch, or brunch. Walk after, preferably in nature. Take this time to be present in the environment, take a walk with a friend, or even daydream. You may even find that you need something different, like a walk in a bazaar, or a time to meditate or do less mentally taxing work. A nap isn’t always a good idea, but it works for some.

Some kind of meditation can be the secret ingredient here. Often the mornings thoughts are finally processed. After your break take 1 or more hours to write in your best environment. These hours don’t usually feel as special, but often give disproportionately good work. Less editing or even better ideas and approaches expressed.

Maintain

Learn to listen to your body. Feeling sore, exercise more. Feeling tired consider getting more sleep. Feeling exhausted, take a holiday or switch gears for a while. Writing like this is work. It tends to have that job feel. You shouldn’t be having to suffer through, though. Avoid burn-out and you should be fine.

It isn’t fancy. You won’t likely invent a new method, or think your way into a magic way of doing things. For most people it is about putting in the work.

Efficiency

As previously expressed, don’t plan on reinventing the wheel. Just have an organized workspace with limited distractions. Maybe get a better keyboard or microphone. Learn to touch type faster. Use a sharper display, or a lower latency computer/typewriter.

Don’t expect magic or perfection. Just put in the work.