Lately we’ve shared advice on determining when it’s time to take a break from your writing and what you can do with that time to recharge your batteries. But what happens when your writing break becomes a writing vacation? Or a sabbatical?
In a new post, Janice Hardy offers advice for getting back in the saddle. Hardy recently took a break from her writing to devote time to her family, and found that restarting the engines was a bit harder this time. “My focus is off, I’m easily distracted, and I run out of energy far too quickly,” she writes. “I suspect it’ll be a while before I’m able to do any real quality writing.”
Hardy declines to beat herself up over it. That voice only creates additional stress, which isn’t helpful. Nonetheless, she has some advice for getting over the hump, including re-reading the last thing you worked on or your work in progress, or even the notes and outlines you left when you quit. In that vein, she recommends creating an editorial map, a playbook about what the book is about and how the story develops. Both of these tips can help get your story back in your head and inspire your next steps.
You can pick up a previous project or start something new. If all else fails, just write. Even if your work is uninspired or not even that good, the simple act of putting words to paper (or screen) can give your creative side the shake it needs.
