A Day in the Life of an Author Who Doesn’t Sleep

by Tova Rivers, caffeine enthusiast and nocturnal word witch

Let’s be clear: I don’t choose insomnia. It chooses me. Like a clingy plot twist that refuses to be edited out.

12:00 AM – The “I’ll Just Write One Chapter” Lie

I tell myself I’ll write for an hour. Then suddenly it’s 3 AM, I’ve rewritten the same sentence twelve times, and I’m emotionally attached to a side character who wasn’t supposed to exist. My coffee is cold. My sanity is lukewarm.

3:30 AM – Existential Crisis Hour

This is when I stare at my screen and whisper, “Why do I do this?” Bunz hops by, judging me silently. I Google “how to be a functioning adult” and get distracted by wolf anatomy charts. Research. Obviously.

5:00 AM – The Delusional Genius Phase

I’m convinced I’m writing the next great literary masterpiece. Every word feels profound. Every typo feels intentional. I am unstoppable. Until I realize I’ve spelled my protagonist’s name three different ways.

7:00 AM – The Crash

My brain shuts down mid‑sentence. I stare at the blinking cursor like it’s mocking me. I promise myself I’ll nap. I don’t nap. I scroll TikTok and accidentally start planning a new book.

10:00 AM – The “Professional Author” Act

I slap on glasses, open my laptop, and pretend I’m thriving. Emails get answered. Coffee gets reheated. I tell people I’m “inspired.” I’m actually hallucinating plot twists.

2:00 PM – The Creative Spiral

I rewrite everything I wrote last night. It’s garbage. Then it’s genius. Then it’s garbage again. I drink more coffee and decide sleep is for people who don’t have deadlines.

6:00 PM – The Loop Begins Again

I tell myself I’ll go to bed early. I don’t. Because somewhere between exhaustion and inspiration, I find the perfect line — and suddenly, I’m wide awake again.

Final Thoughts

Being an author who doesn’t sleep isn’t glamorous. It’s caffeine, chaos, and emotional damage wrapped in a hoodie. But honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Because somewhere in the delirium, the magic happens.