Thursday, June 30, 2011

Writing 101: Take A Break


Taking a break is a writing technique that is often overlooked and not even considered a writing technique at all (probably because it doesn't involve any writing). How exactly can taking a break from writing help your writing?


Luckily, you don’t have to wait for her to wake up to get an answer. After all, she’s just a picture.


Back in February of this year, an unexpected life situation forced to move into my sister's basement temporarily. During that month, I took a break from a lot of things. One of those things I paused was writing. For that entire month, I didn't write anything. I swapped manuscripts with my lovely beta reader, and we critiqued each other’s work. But when I got my critique back I sat it aside and didn't immediately address its concerns.

At the end of that month I moved back home and began writing again. Suddenly, I felt refreshed, reinvented. More surprisingly, instead of feeling rusty and needing to gain back any momentum, my writing came across stronger than ever. I was able to approach my newly critiqued manuscript with a clear head and now have a better novel to show for it. Such a long hiatus may not work for every writer though. This is natural for me.

My writing tends to follow a cycle. First I go through periods of writing binges where I write every single day. I become this non-stop prose spewing beast banging on the keys for hours a day, seven days a week.

Then, after those long writing binges, I go through another phase where I don’t write anything at all for long stretches of time. It can last for weeks, but I’m never bothered by this lull because it’s always been like a recharge for my proverbial batteries. The cycle just begins again.

We writers tend to live in our heads and its necessary for us to step outside and enjoy the sunshine more than every once in a while. Shaking up your routine can sometimes, inadvertently, lead to you generating some of your best material. How many times has inspiration struck you while taking a shower? Sometimes you do your best writing when you're not even writing.

So go and take that break for a few minutes and allow your subconscious to work out your story problems. To prevent burnout, go on hiatus for a day, or a week, or a month. Do something else. Shut the computer down. Have some chocolate. Spend time with your family. Enjoy life outside of your head. You deserve it. And your story needs it.

Do you take breaks from writing? What affect does it have on your writing?

30 comments:

Michelle Julian said...

Whenever I take a couple of days off, I find I write so much more than if I was writing everyday. Plus, I'm always thinking about my story even when my butt isn't in the chair.

Emily R. King said...

Yes! When I've worked myself to exhaustion, I have to take a break. Like you, it may last weeks, but I'm not worried. I'm just powering up for the next time I get the itch to escape into a good story. It's feast or famine, but that's what works for me.

Holly Hill said...

Just having been on vacation where I didn't even have internet access, I can say this works. I came back with my creative brain rested, refreshed, and ready to hit the ground running with my new wip.

Alex Mullarky said...

I wish I could make myself take a break. I'm so impatient to finish!

Kelley said...

I never realize I'm on a break until significant time has passed. It's more, I write like crazy; I stop; I feel guilt. Maybe I should allow myself some down time. Hmm...

Lauren Hunter said...

Yes! :D I'm a binge writer, totally.

Krispy said...

I take huge long breaks too, but I realize part of that is laziness. Breaks ARE important though for both rest and getting perspective on the story. I always feel better and more eager to write when I come back from a break. :)

Pam Harris said...

YES! I absolutely believe that we need breaks from writing. When I go a few weeks without writing anything, I'm itching to get back into the game--and the ideas are abundant. :)

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Such a great point! So much of my writing is done when I'm away from my computer. I live for those shower ideas. A lot also come to me just as I'm waking up or falling asleep.

Unknown said...

To chat the accuracy this is a polite post concerning this topic. I got a clean solution from here. Also I can refer to you all bestcustomessay.org/essay-writing here to get educational helps. On the other hand will wait for more posts from the blogger. Thanks a lot…….

Unknown said...

To talk the fact this is a pleasant post concerning this topic. I got an unadulterated solution from here. Also I can refer to you all http://hwsolvers.com
here to get educational helps. Yet will wait for more posts from the blogger. Thanks a lot……

Anonymous said...

I like by way of thanking the writer for approximately his personal time. My spouse quite a entertaining website page when similar plans shows up, were on survival mode design and style, which includes bundled the data village recognition should you wish to his or her. Most of these attack truly does namnogim publishers which can be bed-sheet on-line, once more by reason of the writer approximately unrivaled reasonable.
online slots

Asik09 said...

When virtue and modesty enlighten her charms, the lustre of a attractive woman is brighter than the stars of paradise, and the influence of her power it is in vain to oppose.resume editing service

rolex789 said...

Most decor items, such as large cards and casino-themed pictures may be purchased at a good party shop, such as Party town. They even have adornments that cover the wall. use this link

rolex789 said...

Also, there can be a substantial allowance of "wait time" in real casinos if the benches are full. This waste of time is absolutely eliminated online, as the programs allows any number of visitors to play simultaneously. http://onlinecasino777.co.nz

Anonymous said...

This is the foremost divide second I surround seen your snug and do approximating to tell you – it is if reality be notified pleasant to glimpse and I realise your hard work. But if you did it in an undemanding way that would be really fastidious. But over all I highly proposed you and sure will wait for more mails like this. express gratitude you so much. auto title loans

Unknown said...

To conceive with the first line of my comment – I do alike to to present a large-scale thanks to the blog esteem. actually it is a gigantic work by him and I discovered out a high-quality help by his/her large minutia and numbers. I exactly crave to announced, delight stay it up your paid work. seldom I will assemble certain with you are posting and updating. Looking ahead to your more mails. payday loans oceanside

Unknown said...

Your entry to variety of confined parts of your computing device (which desires a userID beside password) can be at risk of rather more established apply gift cards for cash at safeway , beside Sellers Particulars in it, of us Particulars in it, also as just about any proof solutions utilized.

Unknown said...

USA Checks paid understands it is your intention to pay off your day loan once payday loans direct lender corona it's due. Please call the branchwhere you received your day loan and speak with the manager.

BANGLADESH AND WORLD NEWS said...


Free WordPress Themes from templatedesk.com- Site Templates and CMS Themes.


Template Desk

Anonymous said...

Teachers should teach the students the basic steps to write valuable assignment. They should develop searching skills in them so that they can find appropriate material independently for their research work.manual writing

Gabroo said...

On my off days I usually go to meet my friends. We can also collect the time for our refreshment by going to the cinema and watch the movie and go for lunch or dinner. From paper hangover you can do more for the dissertation topics for marketing and give a break to your worries.

Anonymous said...

Writing 101: Take A Break is awesome I am very excited after seeing this. Because the point you have write. I only want to thank you for your great post. You can see this one the persuasive readmission essay. This is one of the great one.

Unknown said...

Nice article, Here you are talking about Paper hangover which very helpful for the student who is searching these type of materials. So the useful link is the best way read more about writing materials. Thanks for sharing a great post.

Unknown said...

Good information.

Unknown said...

Hiring professional insure Correspondence writing services may greatly boost your work prospects. Most people Acknowledge the significance of this restart, however, even before potential employers Read the resume, the browse your correspondence. here are some writing tips for you.

anonymous said...

Dr. Judith is the modern writer and knows the good techniques. I did not lose this opportunity because I want to be a good writer and want to gain my experience but writing training manual will give you complete guide. I want to know about the writing techniques and Judith is my favorite writer.

شركة المثالي سوبر said...

شركة نقل عفش بالدمام 0550171619 نقل الاثاث مع التغليف بجميع مدن المملكة


شركة المثالي سوبر للخدمات المنزلية

شركة الكشف عن تسرب الحمامات الظهران

شركة الكشف عن تسربات الحمامات الاحساء

ﺷﺮﻛﺔ ﺍﻟﻜﺸﻒ بالجهاز ﻋﻦ ﺍﻟﺤﻤﺎﻣﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻘﻄﻴﻒ

Robert said...

This is truly an exceptional and helpful piece of information that contains all the relevant data and has a profound effect on the advancements in technology.




Do My Online Course For Me

Grademiner said...

Application essays should show that the writer is capable of critical thinking by breaking down difficult concepts, drawing connections, and offering well-reasoned conclusions and arguments.Visit us for more information.
Application Essay Writing