First thought, best thought

This NYT article about brain-wave research contains this central factoid: Your first 90 minutes of work are the best; don't let yourself be interrupted. After that first period, you can take a break, do other things. But preserve the freshness and sanctity of that initial period.

That fits with the oft-repeated recommendation to writers to wake up and write, first thing. And I've been dong that, more or less, for the last week, and getting a lot done. Sure enough, I can only go about an hour and a half before I lose steam.

technorati: writing, focus, concentrating