Writing.Com General Discussion

Hi all

I'm the only breadwinner in my family (my spouse has health problems) and I work long hours (get up at 4.30am before a 2 hour commute, work from 07:00 to 16:00, get home just after 18:30). My main writing time is therefore in the evening, after an early dinner. I down tools at about 22:00.

Problem is, when I go to bed, I can't turn my brain off. I know I have to be up in 6.5 hours, but my thoughts go round in circles, bits of dialogue pop into my head along with new ideas for plot twists, etc. I keep a notebook by my bed so that I can jot them down and put them out of my mind, but hours after going to bed I'm still awake, with thoughts still churning round and round. Most nights I'm still awake at 1am or 2am, and it's getting ridiculous!

Short of giving up writing on weekdays completely, I'm not sure how to break this cycle. I could stop earlier I suppose, but I only have two and a half hours writing time on a weekday anyway.

Does anyone have any good ideas?