Contrary to what your English teacher may have told you, laziness isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, some of the greatest writers in history were known for their “lazy” habits.
So, the next time you feel guilty about downtime, remember that this can also be the most efficient path to greatness…
7 bestselling authors who valued downtime
Besides being smart, the following legends were also wise. They understood that our brain needs rest to come up with great ideas…
Wall of fame
1. Agatha Christie – Mystery’s Mastermind
Bathtub inspiration
She would often come up with plot ideas while chilling in her bathtub.
Our 2 favorite Moustache Detective books
We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost for you, on one of the links.
And Then, There Were None
In a nutshell: Ten strangers, one deserted island, and a whole lot of mystery. It’s a gripping novel you won’t want to put down.
Murder on the Orient Express
In a nutshell: Detective Poirot looks into a murder on a fancy train during a snowstorm.
2. Mark Twain – Einstein Lookalike
Lazy inspiration
He loved lounging in bed and would often write while lying down, finding inspiration in his chillaxed state.
Our favorites
We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost for you, on one of the links.
Wit and Wisecracks
In a nutshell: Get ready for a book full of the author’s funniest and most insightful remarks, proving he really gets what makes people tick.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn
In a nutshell: Classic books about two boys having a wild time on the Mississippi River
- “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”
- “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
3. Truman Capote – Crime Pioneer
Couch stories
This dude loved writing while chilling on his couch or bed.
Absolutely worth reading
We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost for you, on one of the links.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
In a nutshell: It’s a story set in 1940s NYC, about this intriguing and adventurous girl named Holly Golightly.
The Complete Stories of Truman Capote
For true fans like us.
4. Ernest Hemingway – Boxing Fisherman
Living the life
This dude was chill AF, always fishing or doing whatever, and that’s how he came up with his stories.
His classics
We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost for you, on one of the links.
Best Collection
Contains his best work: “The Old Man and The Sea”, “The Sun Also Rises” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
5. Oscar Wilde – Wit Personified
Downtime moments
He lived a chill lifestyle, which he always included in his funny writings.
Witty stuff
We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost for you, on one of the links.
The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde
Includes funny stories like “The Happy Prince” and “The Selfish Giant”.
6. F. Scott Fitzgerald – Jazz Age Chronicler
Writing sloth
This dude is known for being a total slacker, taking forever to write and finding inspiration when lounging around.
Our favorite books
We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost for you, on one of the links.
The Great Gatsby
In a nutshell: This novel is all about Jay Gatsby’s wild life and his love for Daisy Buchanan in 1920s America.
Tender is the night
In a nutshell: The story of Dick and Nicole Diver’s marriage falling apart while living it up on the French Riviera.
7. Virginia Woolf – Stream-of-Consciousness Innovator
Chill habits
Valued her downtime, often taking long breaks to think and reflect, which fueled her creative process.
Her best books according to us
We may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost for you, on one of the links.
Mrs. Dalloway
In a nutshell: Cool novel that takes place in London after World War I. It’s about Clarissa Dalloway getting ready for a party she’s throwing that night.
What can you learn from these famous writers?
It is a common mistake to believe that stress is a sign of the times.
Throughout history, worries changed shapes.
But creative people, like the famous writers we listed here, discovered an amazing trick:
To wake up your muse, your mind needs rest
Even if you don’t have the ambition to become the next NY Time’s Best Seller, you can take advantage of that insight, like many other lazy famous people did.
Reading a book, for example, is a great way to relax.
Or, you can create some images like the lazy girl did for this article…
What’s with these images of lazy writers?
The Lazy Girl of our team created them with an AI image generation tool, called Leonardo.
It has a free version, and it is ideal to get creative with no effort on a lazy Sunday…
