Taking a Meaningful Break
When You Need to Fill the Well
This time of year naturally draws us away from our desks – and so it should. I’m convinced that my almost-daily walks are part of what feeds my creativity, and there’s nothing like a summer walk in the early morning. Or a late day in the garden.
Plus, filling the well is important. Setting a work project aside is the only way to get perspective and have a fresh take on your story.
I see too many writers who keep pressing forward with revision after revision when really, they should take a break.
But how can you make your break meaningful, restorative, helpful?
When You Need a Full Step Back
There’s a reason I’ve always tried working on more than one project at a time. Because, like all of you, I too suffer from fatigue with a project.
“What the heck was I thinking here? Who is my character? This plot is a mess. How can I fix this? My antagonist is flat. Where is my theme?”
Yes, all those thoughts go through my head after I’ve worked on something for months.
So here’s a suggestion, based on my own experience.
Try writing something completely different. A poem; a short story; a picture book; a long journal entry; a blog post. I can’t tell you how important my blog posts are to my creative process, how they send my thoughts in a new direction – how I have to think, oh, wait a sec, and take my own advice at times (hah!)
When You Need Feedback
I rely on my critique partner for honest feedback. If you don’t have someone, do any of the following:
Get to your local library. There are often writing groups that help form critique groups.
Get to your local/regional SCBWI meeting. There are always, always people looking for partnerships at casual monthly meetings – that’s how I’ve found several of mine.
Get to a local/regional SCBWI workshop or conference. You’ll meet loads of likeminded people and get inspired at the same time.
Honestly, I found my partner – and we’ve been together for many years now – when she posted on Facebook that she was looking for someone to partner with in a specific genre/age, which was perfect for me. I jumped to respond, and here we are.
And Here We Are…
…together on a writing retreat. Which is another way to find your peeps. Sign up for a writing retreat, renew your writing, meet your cohort. I see retreats announced all the time on Facebook, which is one reason I’m still there.
I’m going to sign off now because I’m refilling my well in the company of some excellent writers.
Go refill yours, and please keep writing!
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