MOTW – This or That
This is one of those prompts that quietly reveals how writers work behind the scenes. Our habits, preferences, and creative rhythms shape how stories come to life.
Here’s where I land on today’s This or That.
📚 Physical vs Digital
I prefer a physical book. There’s something about holding a book, turning pages, and feeling the weight of the story in your hands that just can’t be replaced. That said, I do love my Kindle when convenience wins the day.
🌙 Night Owl vs Early Bird
I’m absolutely a night owl. Late nights are when my brain really wakes up. Sitting up in the quiet hours working on a book, editing, or building my website is one of my favorite creative spaces.
📖 Series vs Standalone
I prefer series. Stories need room to breathe. Characters need space to grow, struggle, change, and evolve. A single book can be powerful, but a series lets readers truly live with the characters.
✍️ Writing by Hand vs Laptop
Honestly… both.
Writing by hand slows my thinking in a good way. It lets ideas develop more organically. But when it’s time to build momentum and really get words down, the laptop becomes essential.
☀️ Favorite Seasons
My two favorite seasons are summer and fall, with fall being my personal favorite. The atmosphere, the colors, the cooler air—it’s the perfect season for creativity.
📘 Catchy Title vs Gorgeous Cover
You need both.
A catchy title grabs attention, but the cover has to make a statement. Readers absolutely judge books by their covers. A strong visual pulls them in before they even read the description.
🧠 Planner vs Pantser
I’m a planner… and a planster.
I like having structure and direction, but I also leave room for discovery along the way. Some of the best moments in writing happen when the story surprises you.
Every writer has their own system. These little choices shape how we build worlds and tell stories.
One funny psychological detail about writers: night owls often gravitate toward creative work because late hours reduce social interruption and cognitive noise. The brain gets a quieter signal environment, which makes pattern-building—aka storytelling—much easier.
In other words, the midnight writer’s brain isn’t broken.
It’s just running its best software after dark. 🌙