Taking a break from writing seems to be a near impossible thing for someone who loves it. I've read many different articles and blog posts advocating for the writer to stop, put down her pen, and take a step back. Surely this is unnecessary for me, I thought. I can be objective. If I take a break, I might lose it. Just like the elusive brilliant thoughts you have as you fall asleep, I could lose the voice, the momentum, the core meaning of this story if I stopped. This bit of advice struck me wherever I went and so finally I made a hard decision.
I stopped.
I didn't write for almost 3 weeks. The story was done anyway, I thought. It was just revision, it wouldn't be so difficult to pick the strand back up. But then a few days ago I was looking through some journalling I had done last month and came across an idea. As I read the idea (which I had completely forgotten having), I could feel sensors lighting up all across my brain. My heart picked up the pace as I scrambled for a highlighter and pained half the page neon pink. Then I read it again, and again.
This was what I had been waiting for. (Click to Tweet)
With some distance to my story, I realized that I wasn't satisfied with the story. I felt like everything at the end was too rushed, everything tied up too quickly. After reading the idea I'd had and forgotten during a stream-of-thought journalling episode, I realized the story wasn't over. What had to happen next would require slight character revision, the introduction of new characters for a greater purpose, and at least ten more chapters. It wasn't enough for a sequel, but it was enough to satisfy my random dissatisfactions.
I found that taking a break was probably the best thing I could have done. I had been so ensconced in my idea of how the story was working out and what the ending was that I had completely missed this genius idea. I am simultaneously working on new chapters, character development, and going back and tweaking or inserting things when needed in early chapters.
And I've never been more excited.
Now I know that I am not as unbiased as I thought... and that's okay. No one is, when it comes to your own work. All it took for me to pick up my tone was to read through a few chapters. All of my fears were completely unfounded. Once you create something, it is familiar to you. Like the fabled bicycle that everyone remembers how to ride (except me, but that story is for another time), you cannot forget what you have birthed. It is something intimate, a part of you. By giving yourself some distance and taking a break, you're allowing yourself to recharge and come back with fresh ideas and a clear eye.
While this may be just another bit of advice telling you to stop doing what you love, I hope this one explains why in such a way that shows it isn't so scary after all.
Have you ever taken a break and come back the better (or worse) for it? Are you thinking of taking a break? I'd love to hear from you!
