When you scroll through social media, you may see references to the 5 A.M. Writer's Club. This bunch is a group of writers who get up early to dedicate time to their writing project before the demands of the day begin to arise.
For those in this lot, this can become the basis for creating a consistent writing routine and set a productive tone for the day ahead.
But, as is the case with just about anything writing-related, the 5 A.M. Writer's Club isn't the best option for everybody. This might be due to your work schedule and other obligations, health reasons, or simply just not being a morning person no matter how hard you try (or have to try at the behest of society in some instances).
Some of us are just meant to write not by the light of dawn, but instead with the moon and stars.
I've always been a nighttime writer. It was a necessity at first, going as far back as the start of my writing journey, when I was a high school freshman who not only had the typical homework and studying to do but also a few extracurriculars, namely anything having to do with the music department and fundraisers to support the program. Fast forward to college, when I had not only academic matters but a weekly radio show, a copy editor position on the student newspaper, and a work-study job.
In the years since graduation, I've predominantly been a nighttime writer. Part of that has to do with it often being the only time I am able to write given my current work schedule (though I'll use the afternoons on my days off and my lunch breaks for writing—and may or may not try to sneak a little in during a slower shift).
But there is something about writing at night that hits different. There's a spark of creative magic in the air once the sun sets. An intimate stillness that lets us truly be one-on-one with our stories.
What makes the night so alluring to writers? Believe it or not, there's actually some crossover with the 5 A.M. Writer's Club! Make yourself some tea, get cozy, and read on to discover why I and so many other writers prefer to write underneath an ink-black sky.
Fewer Distractions
One bit of praise you'll see for the 5 A.M. Writer's Club is the lack of distractions in the early morning. Chances are there aren't as many cars going down the street, your phone isn't going to ring, and you don't have to concern yourself with any daily responsibilities just yet. It allows you to be more immersed and engaged with your writing.
But the same can be said for us night owls.
The night is often just as if not quieter than the morning for me. In an inverse of the 5 A.M. Writer's Club who tend to be the first to rise, I'm the last to go to bed in my household, which means it's significantly quieter than it would be when everyone is home and awake. In my current circumstance, that's just myself and my mother, so it tends to be on the mild side anyway. But for someone in a larger family, having a guaranteed block of time to concentrate on writing without interruptions can feel essential.
The Night Shift (Of Mindset)
While true for me when I was a student, this next reason has become even more apparent for me as an adult.
Just as a 5 A.M. writer may feel that writing in the morning starts their day on a positive note, I find that writing when I come home at the end of the day helps me unwind. It's become part of my routine, right next to skincare and turning on my electric blanket on a chilly night. I've also found that it can help put other thoughts like day job stuff to bed.
For some, writing at night also offers an opportunity for reflection. Even if you're not working on your WIP and instead journal or partake in another form of writing, checking in with yourself and your goals at the end of the day can instill a sense of peace. These introspections can also bleed into your work, making for more evocative and engaging writing.
That's not to say I'm immune to staying up later than planned if I hit my stride or reach an exciting point in the story that just cannot wait, of course!
Nocturnal Creativity And Circadian Rhythms
Many writers find that their creativity flows best once the sun has set.
My brain feels like it's in a different mode at night, which can be attributed to circadian rhythms. To sum up the science, this refers to the body's internal clock that controls how awake or relaxed we might be during the day based on the light of our environment. When it's darker outside, our body knows it's time to begin getting ready to sleep, and this change might make it easier to focus on more creative endeavors such as writing.
Biology aside, writing at night may also work better for some writers because the majority of the day's tasks have likely been taken care of, so we can allow ourselves to relax and enjoy an hour or two before our body tells us time to sleep.
The Vibes At Night
Lastly, writers may enjoy writing at night simply because of the vibes. In some ways, it feels rebellious, like staying up past your bedtime with a flashlight to read; the only difference is that instead of reading, we ourselves become the author of our own bedtime stories.
Nighttime also tends to be more relaxed. We don't have the same barrage of distractions constantly needing our attention. There isn't as much pressure to be "on," making it easier to sink into the world of our WIP.
In addition, some writers may be empowered by the way the dramatic nature of writing at night can set the mood. Perhaps not quite knowing what lies within the shadows. Maybe having only a candle or limited light for your session. A silence punctuated only by the tapping of your keyboard.
Writing at night can feel more intimate, too. To be perfectly candid, I find it harder to write the steamier moments of my stories by daylight. Like keeping a secret between myself and my characters away from the prying eyes of the world as I explore the depths of these relationships.
No matter the mood you want to set, writing at night can help you embrace the intricacies of being a writer.
Writers are said to dream while they are awake. For some of us, that also happens to be while the rest of the world sleeps.
After all, I'm sure we've all seen the image of a writer coming home from their 9-5 day job, pouring a cup of coffee, and settling in to work on their manuscript late into the night.
The reasons a writer may choose the company of the stars and moon for writing often extend beyond aesthetics, though. Whether it's on a scientific level or just a matter of personal preference, many things in writing are a matter of figuring out what works best for you. For some, that could mean you are proud members of the 5 A.M. Writer's Club. But if that isn't your style, know that there is a flock of night owl novelists thriving in the midnight hour.
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