I am not really breaking up with writing, but taking a short break for the month of August.
It is no secret that writing is hard work and writers need and should take a break. Every writer needs time to rest, relax and regroup. I am calling it my summer writing break.
Burnout
When you’re go-go-go all the time, shifting from one project to the next, it wears you down. At first it feels great to be writing and completing story drafts, but I have been going non stop for several years. I stopped enjoying writing and have been spending less and less time writing. I was running out of new ideas and fresh storylines. By taking a writing break, I can hopefully prevent burnout.
TIP: If you stop enjoying writing it may be time for a break.
New perspective
Revising the same piece of writing can make us lose our objectivity. Sometimes I get so caught up in my writing or I try to finish a writing project quickly that I lose my focus. Taking a break allows me to come back to my writing with a clear mind and a new perspective. A break allows writers to critique our writing by bringing a fresh view to our work.
Sometimes when revising writing after a break I can bring new ideas to my writing. Giving yourself time away will allow your creative juices to flow. You may even find the courage to scrap what you were doing and start something completely new. Gertie Saves the Day was one of those pieces. I wrote the Gertie story years ago. When I came back to it after a break I started to take the story in a new direction.
TIP: Visiting new locations, even if it is a new coffee shop, often will inspire new writing ideas.
Taking a break does not mean you are giving up writing
A writing break doesn’t mean you can’t think about writing or think about new ideas. As a writer I can see something or hearing something that can spark my creativity. Taking a writing break can simply be a break from your current writing project to allow your mind to have a rest and let you creativity soar. If you want to read a terrific book about creativity I recommend Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. I enjoyed her perspective on creativity.
TIP: Take a small notebook with you and write those creative ideas down.
How long should your break be?
Only you can decide how long of a break you need. Try not to feel guilty if you end up taking a long break. You should take the time you feel you need. When you are ready to come back to it, your writing will be there. You can take a writing break whenever you feel the need, not just during a summer break.
TIP: Allow yourself time to refresh, get reacquainted with your creativity and revamp your writing. You may be pleasantly surprised.
This blog will return right after Labor Day. I hope you will join me for some new and fresh blog posts.
With gratitude …
I am so glad you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am grateful that I can share my writing journey with you. It is an endless journey of learning and growing. A journey that I am enjoying.
I am now booking author visits for the fall, 2025 school year. If you are a classroom teacher, teacher assistant, Parent Teacher Association President, After School Director, or Girl Scout Leader. I can work with you to create a visit that will meet the needs of your students. Please contact me to book your visit.
My website is constantly being updated and it is interactive. There are surprises everywhere. Be sure to check out the resources for children, parents and teachers, librarians and homeschooling families.
Please consider purchasing a copy of Two Wins for Wiley or Gertie Saves the Day for gifts. Books make great gifts. Books can be read over and over again. It is my wish to get as many books as I can into the hands of children. Children need to hear all kinds of stories. A book is the best gift for both children and adults!
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