People often ask how I get into the writing frame of mind. To me, it feels like being the night watchman in a museum. My job is to make sure all the doors are locked, and the blinds are pulled, and the lights are out. As a writer, you need to shut out all of the distractions from your other senses. I make sure I’m not hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or listening to anything. Then, like the night watchman, I go room by room with my flashlight until something scares me, surprises me, or makes me laugh. I have to feel something. And when I do, that’s the part I keep. Then I wrap up the inspiring words in ordinary words, to form sentences. That part is more craft than art.
Scott Adams Blog: Like a Night Watchman 01/25/2010
His whole discussion of how he writes, and actually has a sensation associated with words, hits home for me.
Plus, I’m glad someone’s finally admitting to only being functional early and late in the day. Maybe it’s not just me!
(Hat tip to Marco)
