Have you had a break from writing?

[Ann]

How did you get back into it?

I'm back writing again now. It's been difficult but I found the key was writing longhand :)

Wasn't something I often did because I can type so well. What's the best way to keep you writing? :)

[G.G.]

It's tough going back. That's for sure. For me it was not to push myself more than I could. I ended up writing about a hundred to two hundred words every other day, but at least I was writing. (And most of the time I liked what I wrote and kept it, so there's that.)

[Ann]

I think not pushing yourself is the most important thing. I'm always so rough with myself with my writing. Learning to chill out about it has been important :P

[Brian]

I think it is important not to judge what you are writing, especially not for a first draft. That's what editing is for.

Everyone has a different way to write. The most important part is that you keep at it. Giving up is not an option.

For me the best way to keep things going is to remove all distractions. No phone, no TV, no people, etc... Inspiration and ideas are always going on in my head. The hard part for me is slowing down, sitting in one spot, and writing. Some nights I will get 2000 words down in 2 hours. Some nights I will get 50 words down in 4 hours.

[Ann]

I totally agree. Filtering out ideas into one flowing stream was an issue for me. Partly resolved by listening to the OST of Game of Thrones season 6. That opening was so amazing omg ._.

[G.R.]

I've been writing/editing most everyday for the past couple of years. To the point where, if I miss a day it bugs me. For some reason, I write best at a local cafe and maybe that's because I lose a lot of distractions i.e. kids, wife, TV, phone etc, and/or maybe it's just the atmosphere.

As far as taking breaks, never purposely, I always have to do something with the book I'm writing, whether it's writing, editing, researching or daydreaming.

If I get stuck on a scene or chapter and I'm staring at a blank page I just write. When done, it's either crap but I can salvage some or most, or it's surprisingly good.

[Ann]

I really hope I can get back into such a good routine as that :)

Though I'm not sure if local cafe's draw me in for the atmosphere or cake. I tell people the writing atmosphere of course ;)

[Lara]

I agree with Brian. Everyone has a way that works for them. For me, I know I can write a book in about 3 months with writing sessions 3-4 times a week. I can't sit still long enough to do it every day. :) Novel writing, anyway.
On the days I'm not working on a book, I blog or journal or read a lot. And live life. I have to get out and do stuff, people watch. It's where I get ideas. I scribble those down then when I'm back at my desk I work them into my story.

[Ann]

I'm feeling more and more that I need to take a break from writing a couple of times a week to really focus on reading :) I know what you mean.

[Eugene]

I did struggle when I took a break for a couple months, what I ended up doing was breaking out an older manuscript I wrote, and started rewriting it long hand, thoughts just started flooding in while I was in the middle of it, where I wanted it to go, and possibilities.
My biggest problem now has been, when I pick up a book to read, I continuously have to put it down, because I get a thought of wanting to write.

[Zee]

I can't write every day. Short bursts and flares for me, a bit like NaNo sessions. I also need to have a 'free' period in between my work schedule (I'm a freelance editor) so I know I don't have any client's deadline on me and I can then focus on my work.

I sometimes for months between writing bursts. Last one was 4 months - I'd written in October 2016 and I picked up again in February 2017. It helps that I have an outline that I can just follow when I get back to it. Never been a pantster, so no idea if I would've been able to wing it that way.

[Ann]

Do you find that after a break your writing takes a little jump in quality? I found that I'm writing a little better now. I'm wondering if it's because I've read a lot of great books in between.

[G.G.]

I do. Makes it hard not to go back and edit the old already published. I think I show more emotion now than I did in my previous work. I guess breaks are always good, even if the reasons are not always a good thing. :(

[Ann]

Hmm :l Yeah. I'm kinda glad I didn't publish ADWF. I'd be constantly picking at it by now.

[Brian]

I notice that all the time while writing. Whenever I go back and look at older stuff I gag at how awful it looks to me now. At the time it was the best I could do. Writing is such a strange process. I'm a perfectionist too, so I have to keep myself from reading prior works. Otherwise I would never write anything new. I would be too busy editing.

[G.G.]

I had Fate and Destiny edited...after I re-edited myself a few times lol... But not touching it anymore because i'd risk destroying the editor's work. Still it's all it takes not to go back in there. This new incoming one has been edited and re-edited until I couldn't see how to improve it before it went to the editor. I promised myself I wouldn't make the same mistake yet again...

[Cem]

Contemplation and learning/re-learning goes on, because even if you're not writing you're reading and probably reading about writing until that itch becomes so all consuming that you gotta scratch it. And even if not physically writing, I know I certainly "write" in my head.

The issue is remembering it later :P

[G.G.]

C. wrote: "The issue is remembering it later :P
..."

This is soooooooooooooo true!!! hahaha

[Paul]

I have just the opposite problem. I love writing, but can't find time for it. Like I always say, "Work often gets in the way of more important things, like writing."

[G.G.]

Ah but Paul, not being able to write doesn't mean we don't like to write. Other things aside from work can get in the way. For Bisky and for me, it was health. When you don't feel good or when your health is on your mind, writing is difficult. :/

[Paul]

I understand. It's just that I too love writing and things like work keep getting in the way. I can understand how illness can do that too.

[Zee]

There's definitely growth, made more visible when years pass between your books. I look at the stuff I wrote in, say, 2012 now and I cringe at times, LOL

[Ann]

I use the excuse of being in my early twenties when I wrote my first novel and that's why it's so bad. But I'm sure I can hear Christopher Paolini laughing at me somewhere in the distance :p

[Zee]

Bisky wrote: "I use the excuse of being in my early twenties when I wrote my first novel and that's why it's so bad. But I'm sure I can hear Christopher Paolini laughing at me somewhere in the distance :p"

LOL! I use the excuse I was self-taught...and I keep learning every day/week/month/year :)