I usually write every night from around 9 or 10 pm until 2 or 3 am. In part, it’s because it’s the only time of day that isn’t slam-packed busy, in part because it’s the only time it’s actually quiet in my house. It’s a time that’s worked out pretty well for me over the last 7 years.
Except for one teensy problem.
Nighttime is my challenge time.
The lure of snacking time
The snacks fuel my writing time.
In other words, the one time of day that I’m most likely to make rotten eating choices, especially if the story isn’t flowing. You know how that goes, one thing’s stuck, skip to another to feel better. A sort of instant gratification writer therapy. The “uh oh, I wrote myself into a corner. Where do I go from here? Oh wait, what’s that I hear? Is it my stomach growling? I should find food. A break from the computer, a quick snack, I’m sure the answer will come to me.” And the worst part (or best, depending on your pov) is that it actually does work. At least, it does about 30 percent of the time, which is sadly enough to keep me trying it.
Smart thinking tells me to get all the dangerous junk food out of the house. To plot stronger from the beginning so I don’t hit those walls. To resist, or do something else (see last week’s list) when faced with this trigger. And I’m working on it.
But, really, I blame the clock. Nighttime is my weak time. But I’m working on it.
How about you? Is there one particular time of day that’s a bigger challenge for you than others? Is your challenge to stay away from the donut box during early morning meetings? Or do you get the after-lunch munchies that sends you straight for the vending machine or candy stash? Maybe it’s an evening thing? A big bowl of ice cream while watching TV? Or like me, maybe you get middle-of-the-night cravings?
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Except for one teensy problem.
Nighttime is my challenge time.
The lure of snacking time
The snacks fuel my writing time.
In other words, the one time of day that I’m most likely to make rotten eating choices, especially if the story isn’t flowing. You know how that goes, one thing’s stuck, skip to another to feel better. A sort of instant gratification writer therapy. The “uh oh, I wrote myself into a corner. Where do I go from here? Oh wait, what’s that I hear? Is it my stomach growling? I should find food. A break from the computer, a quick snack, I’m sure the answer will come to me.” And the worst part (or best, depending on your pov) is that it actually does work. At least, it does about 30 percent of the time, which is sadly enough to keep me trying it.
Smart thinking tells me to get all the dangerous junk food out of the house. To plot stronger from the beginning so I don’t hit those walls. To resist, or do something else (see last week’s list) when faced with this trigger. And I’m working on it.
But, really, I blame the clock. Nighttime is my weak time. But I’m working on it.
How about you? Is there one particular time of day that’s a bigger challenge for you than others? Is your challenge to stay away from the donut box during early morning meetings? Or do you get the after-lunch munchies that sends you straight for the vending machine or candy stash? Maybe it’s an evening thing? A big bowl of ice cream while watching TV? Or like me, maybe you get middle-of-the-night cravings?
