Sometimes you just have to take a break!

A few weeks ago I found myself burned out and frustrated. I'd sit down at the computer to continue writing on one of several stories I have in progress and it just wouldn't come. Well, being honest, the words were coming but I just wasn't interested in typing them. I decided that the best thing for me was to step away from the work and take a little break.

Having been in this situation a few times before I knew that a well deserved break would save a lot of grief later. So, for almost a month I didn't work on any of my stories....it was a brilliant move. Last week I started thinking about my stories and the turns they'd already taken and the ones they still needed to take. Last night I officially sat down at my desk again and put my fingers to the keyboard. The words came...they weren't forced....and I feel revived.

Finally, after getting back on track, I took a long look at my "working stories" folder and realized that I'd been due a break for quite some time. I have twelve stories in the works...none I've been anxious to finish. Now, I'm back to the grind stone, with a new mindset, ready to get those stories finished, polished and sent to my publisher.

So, if you ever find yourself in a situation that your desire and drive are gone...perhaps you too need a break. Don't get me wrong, a month off could have been a costly move, but I think it was the right thing to do. We aren't those invincible characters in books, we're real live people who can't write in a happy ending once things get screwed up. We aren't perfect, at least I'm not, and it isn't fair to expect one's self to perform like a computer day in and day out. Sometimes, we need a little down time.