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Abstract

esent a unique set of challenges, the biggest being family.I want to spend time with my wife, but her favorite schedule is the opposite of mine. I hear her get up at 5:30, followed by the grinding sounds of our espresso maker.I’m still in awe that we managed to forge a relationship based on these hours. When we met, she was doing a traditional 9-to-5 while I was the overnight news anchor for a local radio station. I would sleep while she was at work and vice versa. We did this for three years.Once we were married and I started freelancing, I tried to keep the hours, but they were no longer feasible for our social life and the many household things that needed to get done.The late-night hours can also get in the way of the business end of writing. There are times when you do need to handle phone calls and emails.You may find sleep deprivation to be a problem. Sleeping during the day isn’t easy. Any skeleton crew worker can tell you the importance of blackout blinds on the windows. You also have noise to deal with.I’ve learned I can break up my sleep hours as long as I don’t do it too many days in a row. This means in bed at 9 pm, up at 1 am, writing for four or five hours, then another three hours of sleep

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.Food and coffee also require an adjustment. I’ve learned to listen to my body about when to eat, meaning I only eat if I feel hungry, not on a schedule. If I do have a meal overnight, it’s always a small one.For me, coffee is a bit of a contradiction. Coffee helps me stay awake and yet doesn’t stop me from sleeping. If I have a cup at 5 am, I can still go to bed and sleep at 6.Some people like to fool themselves with decaf, but I’m not one of them.You don’t need to stay quiet. I only do it because I think the silence is magical in the early morning hours, and I don’t want to bother my wife. If you have the need and the ability to crank out tunes, go for it, but be mindful of the neighbors. Wear headphones.If you’ve ever wanted to try an overnighter, I recommend doing it on a night where you can get adequate sleep beforehand, so sleepiness is not a factor in whether you love it or not. That’s all it will take for you to know. Either it works for you, or it doesn’t. It’s not something you should force.Keep in mind these hours are a preference. I can write during the day; I just prefer not to. You may discover like I did, that these hours are what you need to increase your productivity.</article></body>

The Late Night Writer

Tips for being productive while everyone else is sleeping

Everyone knows the best parties don’t start until 10 pm.

My buddies and I would pile into a car about that time and drive to a party or a club, depending on how much money we had on us.

We would stumble out about 3 or 4 am and look for a 24/7 diner. Then, I would crawl into bed at seven while everyone else was having coffee and getting ready for work. I’d wake up at 4 pm and do it all again.

The partying days are long gone, but the late-night hours have stayed with me, at least on a part-time basis. I just glanced at the clock while writing this, and it’s 2:27 am. My wife is asleep, and I’m in my home office with the door closed because I am one of those writers who needs a clicky keyboard with a long throw.

Working overnight is exactly like you would think. Long hours of productivity with zero distractions. No phone calls, no emails, just quiet time. I don’t even play music.

The overnights are not for everyone as they present a unique set of challenges, the biggest being family.

I want to spend time with my wife, but her favorite schedule is the opposite of mine. I hear her get up at 5:30, followed by the grinding sounds of our espresso maker.

I’m still in awe that we managed to forge a relationship based on these hours. When we met, she was doing a traditional 9-to-5 while I was the overnight news anchor for a local radio station. I would sleep while she was at work and vice versa. We did this for three years.

Once we were married and I started freelancing, I tried to keep the hours, but they were no longer feasible for our social life and the many household things that needed to get done.

The late-night hours can also get in the way of the business end of writing. There are times when you do need to handle phone calls and emails.

You may find sleep deprivation to be a problem. Sleeping during the day isn’t easy. Any skeleton crew worker can tell you the importance of blackout blinds on the windows. You also have noise to deal with.

I’ve learned I can break up my sleep hours as long as I don’t do it too many days in a row. This means in bed at 9 pm, up at 1 am, writing for four or five hours, then another three hours of sleep.

Food and coffee also require an adjustment. I’ve learned to listen to my body about when to eat, meaning I only eat if I feel hungry, not on a schedule. If I do have a meal overnight, it’s always a small one.

For me, coffee is a bit of a contradiction. Coffee helps me stay awake and yet doesn’t stop me from sleeping. If I have a cup at 5 am, I can still go to bed and sleep at 6.

Some people like to fool themselves with decaf, but I’m not one of them.

You don’t need to stay quiet. I only do it because I think the silence is magical in the early morning hours, and I don’t want to bother my wife. If you have the need and the ability to crank out tunes, go for it, but be mindful of the neighbors. Wear headphones.

If you’ve ever wanted to try an overnighter, I recommend doing it on a night where you can get adequate sleep beforehand, so sleepiness is not a factor in whether you love it or not. That’s all it will take for you to know. Either it works for you, or it doesn’t. It’s not something you should force.

Keep in mind these hours are a preference. I can write during the day; I just prefer not to. You may discover like I did, that these hours are what you need to increase your productivity.