how to take a break from writing {redux}
I want to talk about how to take a break from your writing without losing momentum (or losing your mind).
This works if you’re planning to take time off or travel, it works for when you or a loved one is sick, and it works when you’re going through a particularly intense season.
Here are three things to do if you find yourself in a situation in which you need (or want) to take a break from your writing:
1. Plan to take a break on purpose. When I find myself in a particularly busy season - for example, as I was preparing to launch the Writing Brave Summit - I decide on purpose whether I want to take a break from writing, or not. In this case, because I was also navigating a chronic fatigue flare, and because my husband was also having a super busy time at work, I decided to take a break from writing. On purpose. I didn’t skip my writing just because I was so busy and then feel bad about it - this is a huge energy leak for me.
Similarly, if you’re going on vacation, ask yourself: do I want to write while I’m away? It might be a great time to write, if you’ve got more time and space and you’re feeling super relaxed. In that case, ask yourself: who am I traveling with? When would I have time to write? What do I want to commit to?
Or you might be like me ;) - I can’t stand to even look at a screen while I’m on vacation.
The point is - you get to decide, so decide on purpose!
2. Decide how long your break will be. You want to put brackets around this as a break, so that you don’t find that suddenly six months has gone by and your brain is offering you thoughts like, I’ll never finish my book!
In my case, I decided I would suspend my normal writing routine for three weeks. Put this on your calendar or in your planner. If you’re navigating a situation that’s unpredictable - like, say, a loved one is in the hospital - choose an arbitrary time frame (like two weeks, or one month) and plan to check in with yourself at that point to see if you want to return to writing, or need to plan on a longer break.
3. While you’re on your break, do not feel bad about not writing. You’re not writing on purpose, so don’t let your brain beat you up for it. You might also find that you get ideas (especially if you’re traveling or on vacation) - hooray! Write those down! But don’t expect ideas.
4. When your break is over, go right back into your normal writing routine. Don’t ease into it. Go right back to what you were doing before you took the break. (In my case, that’s writing at least 200 words a day, four days a week.)
Celebration Corner
Writing Brave Press is celebrating the release of a few titles this spring! Today we’re spotlighting No Ordinary Love, by BB Gabriel.
Three untold, true stories. Three different stages of survival. Three women share their experiences of intimate partner violence, vowing to no longer remain silent. But the countdown is on for them to speak up and say, no more.
This book is the epitome of what it means to write brave, and we’re so proud of BB and her work! Grab your copy here. (That’s not an affiliate link, and our authors retain 100% of royalties from their book sales.)
