How to ensure your breaks don’t become blocks #1: Know yourself

When I asked my writerly Facebook friends about their approach to holidays and whether or not they take breaks, I wasn’t expecting such a spectrum of responses.

But, oh, the generosity and wisdom that came from the mob is really worth sharing.

Essentially, we writers need to know who we are and what works for us. We need to trial different ways of writing and not writing, and realise that a method that worked last time may not work the next. And perhaps most importantly, we need to know that we can begin again if our best intentions are waylaid.

Some writers are never completely on a break …

Maybe I am never completely on a break... maybe no writer is... depends on how one is wired... some of us are wired to write, think, read, dream, walk, eat, write, think, dream, walk, sleep, dream, write... i.e. it's a continuum, part of life, no beginning, no end, always ongoing, not always yet on paper...

Others stay with their project to some degree…

I make meditative or actual 'visits' to my current project, even very briefly, on a regular basis. I guess I kind of treat the writing-in-progress like an actual friend, who might withdraw into herself and stop trying to connect with me if I don't touch base with her, however briefly. I find that when I return, she loves the affection and has been patiently waiting.

Dream, dream, dream …

Even when I’m not writing I have moments every day when I think about it. I often imagine the next scene to come when I’m lying in bed at night before going to sleep and let my brain have a play with it in my dreams. That often means that when I sit down to write, it flows out quite fast and naturally.

Dabbling and journaling helps …

I write something every day, just journaling or a little recount of the day. It helps keep things flowing for me...too long a break from writing (say when I'm doing editorial work) and I find it hard to switch back to writing mode. I read a lot too. I also paint which helps me to stay creative, but access a different part of my creative brain.

Other creations …

Reading. Other creative outlets like knitting, drawing, learning a musical instrument. Or I ‘take a break’ from regular writing and write something else. In January I write a poem every day.

Acceptance, ah yes that old chestnut …

I've been forced into an extended break through injury and I'm trying my best to embrace it and not think about my own creativity, instead I am trying to consume others', and focus on finding the joy in the craft again, after spending a long time overworking. I think that will help me re-enter the zone bringing that joy with me and hopefully a healthier sense of my limits!

And remember… some of our most prolific writing comes straight after we’ve been forced away from it for a while, because we’re rearing to go!

If you want more insight about break-taking – it’s like break-dancing, but even cooler – check out next week’s instalment: How to ensure your breaks don’t become blocks #2: plan it, damn it!

May your words pour onto the page,