Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Why playing soccer late at night helps my writing.

Now that the temperatures are dropping and the sun sets around 7:30pm, we Canadians have been forced indoors. Indoor soccer that is, which means late games and practices.

Last week I started practice at 9pm and ended at 10:30. When I got home I was so wired that I couldn't sleep, so I started writing and before I knew it the clock read 1:30am. I got a lot edited and a lot re-written and even made some progress on my query. Good thing the next day was a holiday for the kids and I got to sleep in.

Tonight same thing. My game was at 8:00pm and ended at 9:00 and I'm so wide awake that I'm going to write for at least an hour.

Usually I'm struggling to keep my eyes open at ten, but with that little bit of adrenaline I'll be up for a while.

Hopefully my boss doesn't mind me sleeping on my keyboard.

PS: Not completely recovered from too much pumpkin pie and turkey, but the soccer and writing more will definitely help.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmm. Maybe I should play soccer at night! Glad you had a great Thanksgiving!

Susan R. Mills said...

I don't play soccer, but maybe I should. I am somewhat of a night owl. At least that would give me an excuse. Right now, all I've got is that I like to stay up late. :)

Laura Pauling said...

I was asked to join an indoor team once a week. I'm always glad when I'm there playing but leaving in 15 degrees at 9pm is not easy!

Carolyn V. said...

Oooo, I may have to join just so I can get some writing done. =)

Actually, I have bad ankles so I wouldn't be a great team mate, but my brother loves soccer and played it as a teen.

Melissa Gill said...

I am usually way more productive on nights when I have too little time, than too much.

Melissa Amateis said...

When I was a stay-at-home mom, I can remember the nights I would be up until 1 or 2 a.m. writing. I loved it. The world was asleep (and so were the hubby and the kids)and I could concentrate. Now that I have the dreaded 8-5 job, I don't get to do that anymore and have to squeeze the writing in where I can.

strugglingwriter said...

I totally can't sleep after my late night hockey games. I know how you feel. Using that energy towards writing is a very good thing.

Elana Johnson said...

Wow, suddenly playing soccer sounds like a good idea. And I had no idea you were in Canada, did I? My Mom's from Canada.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Well, that's great you have the energy to write at night now. I am falling asleep after 8PM lately, so I NEED to get my writing done in the mornings. But I would rather work at night.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I wish I could find that kind of energy burst for my writing. :-)

P.S. There is NO SUCH THING as too much pumpkin pie! Ha ha.

Southpaw said...

BLINK. Starting a game at 9 PM. BLINK. You all are crazy. Not Canadians, soccer players.

Jill Kemerer said...

I like to be cozy in my jammies at 9. I'm pretty pathetic at night!

So glad you were able to write. Don't you love when you lose track of time?

Anonymous said...

There are those nights when I feel like I come alive at a late hour, and I write into the early morning.

JKB said...

I always find that when I exercise the words come easier. Smart words, lady!