Took a Break From Writing? Here’s How to Come Back Strong

This past weekend I went on a long-weekend trip to see family for Easter. Like many other people, I haven’t been able to see my extended family regularly for a while, so it was kind of a big deal. While there, I did lots of other things, but one thing I didn’t do was writing. 

Now, maybe you hold with the Steven King school of writing, which says that you write 2,000 words a day, every day, no matter what. If so, good for you, you can skip this post and do something else exciting with your day. However, I suspect that like me, most of you take occasional breaks from your regular writing routine, and that it is sometimes challenging to get back into it. Even a few days away can blow up your routine, and it can take a while to transition from “vacation mode” to “home mode.”

Today I am dealing with time away plus a sugar hangover from Easter candy (I am waaaay too old to be eating that much candy). This means my brain is extra-foggy. However, I do have some ideas for a next story percolating and today was the perfect day to plunge back into my initial notes and scenes. 

I have a few suggestions for when you too are dealing with a get-back-in-the-saddle writing challenge. 

1.     Plan for it. If you know you’ll be away and will not be able to keep up your usual routine, don’t panic. Take a few minutes in your writing session before you leave to think about what’s next, make a few notes, or find some way to prepare so you know exactly what you will be working on when you get back. This will help with the prospect of the dreaded blank page. 

2.     Plan to do mini writing sessions while away. Maybe you can squeeze in 10-15 minutes a day to work on something – making a few notes on your work in progress, writing in your journal, something. Anything that keeps you mind in the game will help the transition when you get back. This isn’t always possible – or maybe you are looking for a complete break anyway, and are deliberately not writing – so don’t beat yourself up too hard if you don’t do it.   

3.     Think about reading while away as time to fill your well: is there a work of fiction that will inspire you? A bit of nonfiction research you could do?  

4.     When you return home, plan to get back to your writing as soon as possible, ideally the next day. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be to find your rhythm again. 

5.     However, if starting right where you left off feels like jumping into a cold mountain lake with no preparation, you can ease back into it.  

• Take a deep breath. Tell yourself you will focus on your writing now. Think about what you remember of the story. Remember your why – why are you writing this story? What does it mean to you? Take a few minutes to meditate on that. 

• Spend a few minutes reading over the last few pages (at least) of your work.   

• Review the notes you made while away (if any).

• Today is the perfect time to do a bit of research if you need to. Although research can be a form of procrastination, it can also be a good way to ease back into a writing project if you’ve been away from it for a while. 

• If you need to, set a timer for less time than your usual stretch. You can always add more time later if you’re in the flow. I started with 25 minutes today, and added another 25, but you can start with whatever feels comfortable. The point is to allow yourself to rediscover and feel excited about your project again. 

• I also find it helpful to plot out the next couple of scenes. Knowing what I need to tackle tomorrow (and over the next few days) means it will be easier to jump in and get up to my usual word or time count. 

Just getting started is the most difficult thing to do. So make sure you plan a chunk of time the first day you are back, or at latest the second day. You know the longer you go without writing, the harder it will be to pick it back up. Your schedule will fill with a million other things (there is always something that seems easier or more urgent than writing) and before you know it, your week off turns into two weeks, then three, then a month… don’t let that happen to you!

What are your tricks for getting back to writing after a stretch away? Let us know in the comments!