After storming around the apartment ripping apart chapters (read: shredding them with my teeth), the following exchange took place between me and my better half:
Me: I’m so behind in writing. I was supposed to edit two chapters this week and it’s already Friday night and I haven’t started on them yet.
(Better Half stares at me, jaw drops, eyes widen)
Me: I’m so behind in writing. I was supposed to edit two chapters this week and it’s already Friday night and I haven’t started on them yet.
(Better Half stares at me, jaw drops, eyes widen)
Better Half: It’s Wednesday morning.
Needless to say I took a few hours away from my computer to spare Better Half from anymore outbursts of insanity. Once I’d gotten my bearings on track, I had to re-convince myself (as I often have to do) that writing is a snail-slow process for me and I have to accept it. When I start to rave around the house I know it’s time to take a short break. But sometimes, a short break isn’t enough. When the prose or story isn’t flowing for an extended period of time (say two weeks), a longer rest is in order. Like any job the creative process has its ups and downs. There are high points when our fingers can’t keep up with ideas and other days we stare at the blank page wondering what monster ate the words this time.
Needless to say I took a few hours away from my computer to spare Better Half from anymore outbursts of insanity. Once I’d gotten my bearings on track, I had to re-convince myself (as I often have to do) that writing is a snail-slow process for me and I have to accept it. When I start to rave around the house I know it’s time to take a short break. But sometimes, a short break isn’t enough. When the prose or story isn’t flowing for an extended period of time (say two weeks), a longer rest is in order. Like any job the creative process has its ups and downs. There are high points when our fingers can’t keep up with ideas and other days we stare at the blank page wondering what monster ate the words this time.
There’s a clear line between slacking off and deciding to take a mental health break. If you’re dreading opening your notebook or your Word document, if the very thought of it is causing you to have anxiety, then take a breather, whether five minutes or five days. Trust yourself to know the right time to come back to your pages. In stepping back, we allow ourselves to clear out the clutter in our heads that’s blocking our stories and release pressure/stress that builds up after a ‘bad’ writing session(s). Sometimes we just need to work the details of the story out in our heads before trying to put words on the page.
Question of the day: How do you know when you need to step away from writing? What are your telltale signs of writer's insanity?
Question of the day: How do you know when you need to step away from writing? What are your telltale signs of writer's insanity?
20 comments:
Oh goodness you shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself! Write and edit when you feel the need and inspiration to, otherwise your work is going to lack quality.
I never force myself to work on my writing. I go to it when I 'need' it. And if you don't 'need' it, then maybe you should ask youself why you are doing it.
Now I'm pretty damn sure that's not the case with you! So just go to it when you need it - unless you have a publisher breathing a deadline down your neck, then I say schedule some realistic writing/editing time and decent breaks to breathe! Being over worked and tired isn't going to help you one bit.
I'm with AA - too much pressure leads to writer insanity. I know that I need to step away when my "writerly doubt" is in full swing or when I've crossed over to Idiot Mode for too long - every word sounds trivial and amateurish and blech. So I read a bit. Exercise. Eat candy. And sleep.
Don't forget to take time for you!
I'd like to join the consensus. Pressure is a creative writing killer. I use the quiet time to flesh out the next bit of writing, whether it's in the car, the shower, or the first moments after I lay down for the night. The next day at the computer, I simply write down what I saw during that time. It certainly is full of holes, but by then I have "seen" enough of what I want or where I'm heading that everything else is fleshed out during the actual writing.
Great post!
It's time for me to take a break when I get angry about not solving problems with the stories. It's just a story, you know. It's time for me to take a break when I'm so wrapped up in the fiction that I begin to ignore the real world. It's definitely time to take a break when you don't know what day it is. Chill, Crimey. Chill. I'm going to miss my proposed deadline for the current ms by three months, and I'm not as wound up as you seem to be.
I use this simple rule:
If I'm not interested enough in the story to write it, why the heck would a reader be interested enough in the story to read it.
So I only write when it sounds interesting enough in my head to relocate it to something everyone else can see, too.
- Eric
First of all--New Follower! *waves* I really don't know how I missed your blog, but I've found you now (dun dun dunnnnn).
Great post! I know exactly what you mean. Usually I wait till I get to that point where I don't just hate everything I've written--I despise it with the passion of 1000 suns and I want to drag it all to the trash and select "empty." That's not a very productive place to be.
But it's been harder since I signed with an agent. Deadlines kinda limit my ability to take a break when I need one, so I'm training myself to learn how to power through. Little breaks at regular intervals help. And I try to fill those breaks with something really luxurious, like a bubble bath, or ice cream. It's still not easy, but it's getting better. :)
Ah, yes, going crazy. That's what we writers do! I know it's time for a break when I start to ignore the real world and I have about 18 loads of laundry, the kitchen is a disaster, and I'm crying to my husband that my manuscript suuuucks and I've got to get it better and finished right NOW. Yeah, that's when it's gone too far...
Chill, my dear, chill. This is one of the reasons to be grateful that you don't have a publishing contract and a huge deadline to meet! If you need a break, take it!
My problem isn't so much taking a break, but finding the time in the first place. Why does real life have to interfere so much with my creative process? And in my case, every day is Monday.
Well, I usually know I should take a break about a week before I actually allow myself the break. It's so hard to admit sometimes. I often chide myself for procrastinating, even though the need for a break goes much deeper than that.
So there you go, you aren't alone. And, just so I'm clear, today's still not Friday, right? LOL
Oh boy, I have many signs of insanity. As with you, I lose track of my days. I also get snappy.
When I start any sentence with a deep sigh and "What?" I know it's time to step away.
Breaks are good. I love getting to the point where I am bursting to get back to writing.
Can I please apply this to revising as well? Oh wait ... I haven't revised a page since last Friday, guess I already did.
Seriously though, great advice Crimey. Like anything if you force it to much it will come across as ... forced.
I'm usually chomping at the bit to get to my writing, except I'm driving myself a little crazy at the moment by trying to get through two complete read-throughs of my YA novel (yes, the same novel) in one week. I'll take a break when I get that done and catch up on my real life.
Great post, Crimey:)
...for me it's when the process of writing feels tedious, like I'm physically pushing the words onto the screen. Zero flow.
...at that point I have to walk away for the sake of the manuscript if nothing else.
...taking a break isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes a re-fresher is where it's at.
A published writer friend said that he likes to go back to the last place in the story where things were flowing and then go from there. He says that a block often means that the story is getting off track. Just a thought.
I can't help but laugh at that! "It's Wednesday morning." LOL!
And I've been there. I know I need a break when I start snapping at my kids or I won't stop to watch reality TV.
And that's when I need to stop the most. Just slow down. And live.
TAA,
Being overworked and tired sort of just sneaks up on you. At least that's what happened in my case. I'm definitely overdue for a break.
Dawn,
Exactly, stepping back when writerly doubts are in full force is a good idea.
James,
Agreed. Sometimes we need to step away and think through scenes of our novels before writing.
Scott,
I'm around four month behind my self-imposed deadline for this WIP; however, I now realize that my original goal was damn impossible. I'm feeling better now.
Eric,
Ha! That's an interesting way to work. I think my little lapse had more to do with working nonstop then the interest factor, but I definitely have moments where my interest wavers.
Shannon,
Thanks for following! You have a new follower also. Having an agent would definitely force one to push through the overwork periods. I do treat this as a 'real job' for when that time comes for me.
Lady Glamis,
Yes, I am happy that I can afford to take a break now. Especially, since the other day I was in no shape to talk business with a publisher. :)
PW,
Aww, real life. I'd forgotten what that was. I think we have periods when it's easier to fit writing in and others when it's simply impossible.
Nicole,
Yeah, but I'm back on track now. Today is Friday! I'm glad I have all you wonderful fellow writers who understand me.
Shannon,
I love those days when the words burst through your mind and must be put to paper.
Matthew,
Ha! I'm applying this to editing. I'm knee deep in edits. Trying to get through this round and then I'll be putting the book aside for a month. So close....
Susan,
Oh my! Two complete read throughs in one week? I'm cheering for you. That's a lot of reading, but if you're determined you can do it.
Elliot,
A refresher is much welcomed especially if the words are stuck somewhere...
Lois,
I wish my problem was writer's block. In this case, it's the opposite. I'm obsessed with getting through edits.
Elana,
Yup, snapping is on my list of offensives too. Not seeing the sun is another one. I'm getting back into the swing of the real world, I hope.
I'm more apt to step away from it either at the beginning or the end. When I've finished an ms I step away from it on purpose to give it time to marinate and 'disconnect' so I can go back to it with fresh eyes. When an idea is just taking form and I've only got a few pages written, I'll step away from it to let my mind brainstorm for a while and find a rough plotline.
Creepy Query Girl,
Same here I'm trying to get through this current set of edits before I take a break. I hate taking a break in the middle of a project. I'm so close too...
Sounds like you need that temporary break!
A great way to alleviate stress is to go for a walk, a run, a swim, a bike ride -- anything that will take you outdoors and AWAY from the computer. Face it, sometimes you can be hunched over it too much & it'll cut off the circulation to your brain. So get out, get moving & have FUN! :)
Lisa,
I've got myself a sinus infection, so I'm taking that temp break after all. I do bike also, almost everyday. :)
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