I know many people think I'm nuts by forcing myself to go on a writing sabbatical (blogging doesn't count, of course), but a break from writing does a few of things for this writer:
1) it allows this writer time to get grounded. Life happens around the writer if we aren't careful. We delve so deep into our own little worlds and release the BALROG (no, that is NOT the code word for farting, people. Remember your Lord of the Rings--the dwarves delved too deep in Moria and released a creature worse than orcs), er, forget to live our life.
2) Reading. I'm reading many, many books, from middle grade fiction to murder mysteries and romances. It recharges my mental juices.
3) It helps get me excited about writing again.
4) It allows me to enjoy the holidays with my family.
5) this time also allows me to wrap up 2010 and think about my goals for 2011. I'll keep in mind that my goals must be adaptable to any occasion--for example, if I manage to get a contract. *fingers crossed*
6) I'm really NOT an everyday writer--blogs don't count--but it doesn't mean that I don't think about my stories. I'm always thinking about how I'm going to edit FAERIE or TROLL. Or even trying to figure out what my next blog serial or book 4 would be.
7) Time is running out and my kidlet requested a scarf and hat for Christmas. I whipped out the hat in about an hour, but the scarf will take longer. Thank goodness for Christmas specials! I can sit and crochet to my heart's content or until my hands cramp up. She knows I'm making it, so there's no need for secrets.
--on a side note:
A couple of days a week, my MIL volunteers at her church to provide after school care. Well, the topic came up that I write middle grade stories and one of her little 10-year olds wanted to read some of my stories so I edited SUGAR PLUM DISASTER for the gazillionth time and printed it out for her.
The little girl LOVED IT! She loved it so much that she made pictures of Piper (the hot pink faerie) and Kyte (my 11-year old heroine). I got so geeked out that I had my first fan! :-)
--another side note:
I actually got carded (I'm sure they're suppose to card EVERYONE) the other night at Buffalo Wild Wings. I didn't bring my wallet. Oops. I looked at her and asked if the wrinkles were enough evidence that I was over 21. *snort* She still asked me what year I was born in. Heck, I should have told her that I was three years OLDER THAN THE HUBSTER --who she didn't even card!
Guess dying my hair IS paying off. Heck, people, I'm almost 1 1/2 times 21 years old!
BTW: the 'hot' sauce for the wings--is FREAKIN' HOT!
Anyhoo, that's it for now. I'll try to blog over the next couple of weeks, but it might be sporadic.
Have a safe and healthy holidays.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Peace out!
I'm a big believer in taking time off from writing. I've done it since the first book, and it works well for me. I get caught up on everything else, do something else creative and just watch TV for a while, and then the urge to write starts wiggling its way back into my conscious mind. There's no way I could be a "full-time" writer. My muse wouldn't last six months.
ReplyDeleteRelax, have fun, and refill the creative well. And congrats on your first fan!!!!
You are so smart about writing, Marilyn!
ReplyDeleteI think many multi-pubbed authors (other than you, of course) burn themselves out because they sign back-to-back . . . to back contracts under multiple names. I know of three authors who have multiple books due within a month's time of each other.
Finishing two or even three books a year is tough, but when you have them due close together, that's just insane! And that's not counting the time the author has to spend on revisions, copy edits and page proofs, etc.
If I ever get a contract, I plan to follow in your footsteps and take time off between books.
I remember hearing Lisa Gardner speak about writing. She started out writing categories but she didn't feel she could write 4 books a year, so that's one of the reasons she went to writing single titles...so she could concentrate on one book a year.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn is right. Enjoy your time off.
You know my opinion on this. :)
I might slow down some times, but I always write or revise; at least a bit each day. I found, this is a good exercise for my muse. She's better in shape with regular jogging. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cyndi! I just keep thinking of the added stress some authors place upon themselves and I don't think I can deal with it.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong--a little stress is productive, but weeks of it just isn't worth it.
I think that is why your writing system wouldn't work for me and vice versa, Annemarie. Every writer has to figure out the best way to be productive.
ReplyDeleteMine is downtime. Now this doesn't mean that I don't THINK about my story, I do, but I like to build up my NEED to write the next story.
My blog today is about the fact that I've taken the holidays off from writing...grins.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree and I got the Balrog comment immediately!
On a side note, I consider myself a full-time writer, but even full-time anything gets a few weeks off for vacation, or a few months for summer, etc... Writers are entitled to and definitely NEED the time. I completely agree with the do something else creative whether it be a craft or be in the kitchen, veg out with the television or books, etc... The production after such a time will be better quality and more projects and more enthusiasm than had time off not been taken...
ReplyDeleteYep, especially those of us with kidlets still in school, Lissa. I knew I wouldn't get any writing done this last summer, so I wrote a 50K word middle grade in 19 days--finishing it 4 days before school was out. I still need to EDIT that silly book, but *cracks knuckles* I think I'll be ready on January 3rd when the kidlet goes back to school.
ReplyDeleteLike you, Margaret, I think about my stories, and right now, why I'm stuck on one in particular.
ReplyDeleteI do believe in taking time off from writing, but I've also got several other creative outlets.
Thinking about your story is a good thing, Meg. That's when I usually figure out where I went wrong or why I stopped writing (there's usually a very good reason). I've found it to be more efficient to figure out where I went wrong than to 'write through' an issue and then have to cut X # of pages.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, you would relate to and enjoy this piece on nurturing the creative spirit. It's well worth 20 minutes of you time to watch it:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Thanks for the link, Jody. I've seen this video before. . .I think it was last summer, but thanks again!
ReplyDelete