I think that almost all of us do have times when we're more focused and creative than others. But I also recognise that it's often not easy to fit writing in at exactly the right time of day. Right now, my fiction writing mostly happens during an evening or two each week: it's not ideal for me, but it's better than not working on my novel at all.
So what can you do if your writing time needs to be at the wrong point in the day for you?
#1: Have a Clear Start and Stop Time
If you're writing at a time of day when you're distractable, having a clear start and stop time can really help. If you sit down to write from 8pm to 9pm one evening, you're more likely to focus than if you're just aiming to "write this evening".
You might find it helps to make your writing session shorter than you normally would. Even 15 minutes is long enough to write, though I'd suggest aiming for 30 minutes if possible.
#2: Write Down What You're Trying to Accomplish
Before you dive into the writing itself, take a moment to write down what you're trying to do. Draft a blog post? Outline the next chapter of your nonfiction book? Complete a short piece for a freelance client? Write 500 words of your novel?
Getting clear about what you're aiming for can help you stay focused and use your time well. If your only goal is to "write something", it's easy to end up dithering about what to write, or getting sidetracked.
#3: Switch Off Your Internet Connection
I'm super distractable in the evenings, and prone to stopping every few sentences to see if anyone's liked my Facebook post or to find out whether that new season of a TV series I love has finally announced a release date.
If that sounds a bit like your own experience, then try switching off your internet connection while you write. (If you write in an online app, try using a browser plugin that blocks you from accessing all websites except for ones you've specifically listed as allowed.)
#4: Give It a Few Tries Before You Give Up
It can take a while to get into the rhythm of writing at a particular time of day. At first, you might find you struggle to even get started, or you aren't happy with the writing you're producing.
Don't give up too soon. Stick with your "wrong" time of day for at least a few sessions, and you may well find it starts getting easier. You'll also start to figure out the things that help you focus.
#5: Make It Something You Enjoy, Not Something You Resent
When you're writing at the wrong time of day, you may well feel you're giving up something else in order to do so. Maybe you're giving up a peaceful doze in bed, or you're giving up your leisure time in the evening.
Try to make your writing time something to enjoy – not something you resent. For me, that means having a cup of tea and some chocolate to hand. ;-) For you, it might be scented candles, coffee, or anything that makes writing feel like more of a treat.
I know how frustrating it can be when your writing has to fit in around the edges of the rest of your life. But if you can carve out a little bit of time each week – even if it's when you're not at your most focused or most easily creative – you'll make real progress.