Now, the only time I normally get up that early is for one of four very important reasons:
1. Hunt
2. Fish
3. Dance at a Native American powwow
4. Travel somewhere fun
Not that the numbering indicates the order of priority or frequency; it's just how it came to mind.
At any rate...that unholy hour.
I got up then in part because I went to sleep at 9:30 the night before. Why did I sleep then? Because I was tired.
Why did I arise at 4? Because I was awake.
I was ready to write.
I worked until 8 then ate breakfast. And because eating makes me tired (as well as the 4 a.m. waking time), I took a nap. By 9 I was writing again.
After lunch I went for a walk and did some food shopping in town.
Then I wrote again.
I created 12 pages yesterday, about 3,600 words.
That's one of the best parts about residency programs. You're able to do what moves you in the exact moment you are moved.
There's a power to setting aside purposeful time dedicated to a creative project.
There's even more power in the ability to write whenever you are moved to write. No worrying about whether you're disturbing a partner; no concerns over when the phone might start to ring and pull you away. No activities going on except those that nurture and support the work.
And, of course, I have the loving and patient support of my other partner, Hari. Here's a snapshot of him lounging on the porch of my residency home while I write in the morning sun.
