Magic Time: 45 minutes to write before the critical brain kicks in

Susan Simmons, my editor/writing coach, said today that people have 45 minutes from the time they wake up until their critical voice kicks in.

She and her clients and friends find that this is magic time for words to flow, even words and thoughts that seemed too difficult to tackle.

The drill is this:

1. Clear your desk and set up your work the night before.
2. Get your coffee and water ready.
3. Set your alarm for 1 hour earlier than you usually wake up.
4. Stagger up when the alarm goes off. Hit the coffee button.
5. Start writing.