For me, writing’s like falling asleep

Writing is like falling asleep. Not so easy, it's like falling asleep, but in that if you can’t watch yourself, you can’t do it.

You get into bed and are looking forward to a nice sleep, and start gradually dozing off. But if you consciously realise you’re doing it – ah, sleep comes at last – bang! you’re awake.

I think writing is the same. If after spending a morning of scratching your head checking your emails and generally proscrastinating you give yourself a sideways glance and realise you're writing away happily, the moment goes and poof! you’re scratching your head and wondering how you can start again.

So don’t look at the first spark of inspiration in case you get too dazzled to carry on.