When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.Day 28. I had a goodish writing day. The big win was doing it 5pm. Taking back the night. Taking back my life. I’ve always done all my writing at 5:30 in the morning until about 10:00 am. Lifting the restriction about doing it first thing or not at all has been liberating. This has been the big revelation for me these last 28 days. And also that a half hour is enough time to get something done.
What rules do you have about when, where and how much time you need to write?
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Betsy Lerner 
I write first thing, before my brain wears itself out. And it turns out I can’t write when family is visiting. I can’t even write a witty comment!
“What rules do you have about when, where and how much time you need to write?”
None. Oh, I’ve tried them all, learning again and again — slow on the uptake I can be — that the only rule to be ruled by is the one: Write!
No rules – just get it done – at some point!
Early in the day I carve. Along the edges of the day I tend to the scraps.
i write in the morning but not too early–i’m no good until about 9 a.m. too sleepy. i no longer drink coffee so i can’t force myself awake before my natural time.
i try to touch my writing most days, that’s it. i add a little bit or subtract a little bit, and move forward. i consider that success. i’m slow.
rea
The only “rule” I have is if I miss it in the morning, I catch it in the evening. (I give myself a pass on Sunday. I can write if I want, but not if I don’t.) The other thing is not a rule, but an observation: I do better with my writing if I’m reading a good book. So I always have a few books I want to read handy.
And where? I turned a spare room into an office. I can close the door. That’s pretty much the only place I write.
No real rules for memoir, just write. But if I want weird fiction, write after my mile walk. Thoughts turn strange when the brain is busy with just walking and staying upright.
I find walking to be my muse.
It’s a question of absorption. Doesn’t matter where or when once the world drops away. Except, never at night.