Sometimes you need a break, even from things you love. I didn’t realize how busy I’ve been with the release of Singularity and updating my marketing and promotion efforts until I got knocked out by an allergy attack last week. Still, I persevered, until Rick finally said “you need to quit taking care of everything else and take care of yourself.”
He’s right, although it took a couple of days to admit it. You want to keep on pushing when things are on a good roll, and that’s been the case this summer and into the fall. It’s been exciting to publish another book, to explore new ways to reach readers, to update and upgrade things, to start the newsletter, to make new connections, and I’ve even had success with writing and publishing short stories. I wanted to strike while things were hot. Unfortunately, we only have so much energy, and eventually we need space to rest and gather creative energy to continue.
In other words, I burned myself out. Oh yes, you can do that. It came to a head this past weekend when I got completely absorbed in writing a short story for a Halloween prompt. I wrote, rewrote, researched, revised, tore it apart and rebuilt it. I enjoyed the story, but it also weighed on me. I was tired, snappy, having strange dreams, feeling off-kilter, and finally realized the problem: the well is empty. Ironically, a theme of the story I was writing was balance, and I was the one out of whack. I need a break. It’s amazing how fiction and reality weave together into truth.
Fortunately, it’s a good time for that. I have a couple of weeks until the holiday sales and marketing efforts launch, the short story markets are shutting down for the year, and my latest newsletter was recently released, giving me a couple of weeks of space to take in life. That, I’ve found, is the best inspiration: just live day to day, and observe what’s around me. Yes, it gets dull, and I get antsy. Writers always do when they aren’t creating, but I accept that it’s all part of the process. You need to unplug from the “same old same old” to get inspired by new things. The hard part is not trying too hard. These “breaks” are when I have to remind myself “please do not squeeze the muse.” I even put it on a note and tape it where I can see it, to remind myself that this is a creative rest break.
I used to take a “writing sabbatical” in November and December, because things slowed down and I usually got distracted by the holidays. Not only is it not practical any more, but I don’t want to do it. I love writing, creating, and have even found joy and inspiration in new methods of marketing. I don’t feel like myself if I don’t do it for too long. But breaks are necessary, so I’ve redesigned the “sabbatical” to be shorter breaks throughout the year, as needed, to give myself space to see all of the times and seasons around me.
Writing is life, but as with all things you need an occasional break. Just as you take days off from work and vacations from day-to-day life, so too do you need to give your muse time to relax and replenish. So if you have writer’s block or any other creative blockage, don’t despair. The year is winding down, and it’s a good time to rest and restore your balance and energy. Something in the feels like the right time for that. It is a good idea to rest and restore before the season of celebration. And maybe to have some Halloween fun too! Us sci-fi and mystery/suspense writers love Halloween. It’s inspiring and fun, and I’ve taken full advantage of it this year! Now for a break to enjoy other peoples’ creativity.
That’s all today. Take care. Enjoy Halloween and all the fun it brings.
Bye!
He’s right, although it took a couple of days to admit it. You want to keep on pushing when things are on a good roll, and that’s been the case this summer and into the fall. It’s been exciting to publish another book, to explore new ways to reach readers, to update and upgrade things, to start the newsletter, to make new connections, and I’ve even had success with writing and publishing short stories. I wanted to strike while things were hot. Unfortunately, we only have so much energy, and eventually we need space to rest and gather creative energy to continue.
In other words, I burned myself out. Oh yes, you can do that. It came to a head this past weekend when I got completely absorbed in writing a short story for a Halloween prompt. I wrote, rewrote, researched, revised, tore it apart and rebuilt it. I enjoyed the story, but it also weighed on me. I was tired, snappy, having strange dreams, feeling off-kilter, and finally realized the problem: the well is empty. Ironically, a theme of the story I was writing was balance, and I was the one out of whack. I need a break. It’s amazing how fiction and reality weave together into truth.
Fortunately, it’s a good time for that. I have a couple of weeks until the holiday sales and marketing efforts launch, the short story markets are shutting down for the year, and my latest newsletter was recently released, giving me a couple of weeks of space to take in life. That, I’ve found, is the best inspiration: just live day to day, and observe what’s around me. Yes, it gets dull, and I get antsy. Writers always do when they aren’t creating, but I accept that it’s all part of the process. You need to unplug from the “same old same old” to get inspired by new things. The hard part is not trying too hard. These “breaks” are when I have to remind myself “please do not squeeze the muse.” I even put it on a note and tape it where I can see it, to remind myself that this is a creative rest break.
I used to take a “writing sabbatical” in November and December, because things slowed down and I usually got distracted by the holidays. Not only is it not practical any more, but I don’t want to do it. I love writing, creating, and have even found joy and inspiration in new methods of marketing. I don’t feel like myself if I don’t do it for too long. But breaks are necessary, so I’ve redesigned the “sabbatical” to be shorter breaks throughout the year, as needed, to give myself space to see all of the times and seasons around me.
Writing is life, but as with all things you need an occasional break. Just as you take days off from work and vacations from day-to-day life, so too do you need to give your muse time to relax and replenish. So if you have writer’s block or any other creative blockage, don’t despair. The year is winding down, and it’s a good time to rest and restore your balance and energy. Something in the feels like the right time for that. It is a good idea to rest and restore before the season of celebration. And maybe to have some Halloween fun too! Us sci-fi and mystery/suspense writers love Halloween. It’s inspiring and fun, and I’ve taken full advantage of it this year! Now for a break to enjoy other peoples’ creativity.
That’s all today. Take care. Enjoy Halloween and all the fun it brings.
Bye!
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