Breaks aren’t really breaks.
Because life doesn’t care that you took a break from answering a ton of blogs or emails. It goes on. I went from a great high this week from finishing my revisions on my manuscript and shipping it off to my critique partners to a one-day low when the phone didn’t ring because of contest results.
Yes, it’s really true what everyone says about this profession. It’s a roller coaster ride.
But one I won’t get off. And I know you won’t either.
So I’ve started the obvious next step. A new outline for another book. My sixth but am I counting? Yes, I am. I keep wondering if this will be the one. You probably wonder about your own list, too.
What is a blogging blessing this time around is I have found a wonderful artist, Susan Roux and blogger friend to act as my consultant. Although I write, I don’t paint and I needed an artist to help me out with my plot. Actually I was intrigued by an artist’s retreat she set up and it started me thinking. What if ….
So breaks aren’t really breaks.
Because life doesn’t stop nor my brain from working churning onward.
So tell me, what if you took a break and couldn’t get back on Blogger, what would you do?
46 comments:
Great question...I've been thinking of stopping one blog...b/c I'm in a different place than when I started it. And I'm taking a writing course which excites me. I would write more...create more...I have so many ideas bouncing in my head....need to get more organized....
that is scary ....don't even want to think about it ;
First things first, I'd miss you and a whole lot of other people who have become my friends...
What if I stopped blogging? I'd either be really ill or I'd have found something very stimulating to occupy this time slot. Painting obsessively???
Consult me anytime. Glad to help! Plus I love to talk about art and painting. Just try to shut me up...
I did take a break...an indefinite one. My blog is closed. I needed to focus on writing for myself again.
Good question! I would probably write more. And then maybe sign up with Wordpress. :)
No, this really makes me think; sometimes I get so caught up in blogging that I let some of my other goals slip. Don't get me wrong, I love blogging. We met through blogging, and I'm so thankful for that.
Have a great week!
Blessings,
Karen
I'd get on Wordpress! Ha. ;) Sort of kidding, but I would find another way to connect.
And I 100% agree with your stirring thought about breaks not being breaks.
~ Wendy
I would finish those revisions that are nagging me! But I know I can do both. I would also spend more time learning writing and photo skills.
I'd miss everyone I've built relationships with for one. You're right, breaks aren't really breaks. :)
I would continue writing because that's why I blog to share my words but I would miss all my blogging friends...
I would read and write nonstop! (in my new spare time, of course).
You go on your new outline. That's the great thing about starting a new project. The possibilities for success are so...there!
I would learn Chinese.
I got Rosetta Stone for my daughter, and I haven't had time to keep up with her lessons, so we've put it on hold.
Sixth book? That's amazing! I'd probably read anything and everything. Even though life doesn't truly give us breaks, I hope you've taken a nice one:)
Kudos on not letting disappointment dampen your enthusiasm for writing, Terri. I'm excited to hear that you're starting a new book. How fun to have found an artist who's helping you learn about her world. Isn't research such fun?
Terry, let's plunge forward together and write on!
I did take a long blog break. Emailed some buds as it felt right during that time off, but mostly I was dead to writing that year. And I'm at peace with that because I feel I had God guiding me to do it. Just as I feel His presence in my getting back into it, both writing and blogging.
Follow His guiding hand and you can't lose!
I'm currently on break and am so scared the inspiration won't return to my writing when I return to it. Sounds like it returned for you...Congrats on starting your 6th! :)
Sooo true about breaks. NO idea what I'd do without my blog. Probably (if we're being honest LOL) play more on facebook. Bad, eh??
Praying as you start book 6 - and I was SO there with you Friday.
I like Wendy's answer! LOL!
I would write more.
You'll soon be on top that mountain again. I'm sending you a warm hug of friendship and encouragement!
Oh, wow, I never considered life without blogging...
I'd keep writing, and find a new way to connect with others more brilliant than I to help me.
Congrats on finding a new soul mate to bless you.
I would catch up with all my piled up reading and do some serious writing.
Its great you started a new book. Wishing you loads of luck, on the book which is currently with your crit partners and the new one.
I've taken several writing breaks in my life. Once from my WIP for about 8 months (not my choice) and last year when life took precedence over blogging. What did I do? I still wrote...still maintained relationships...still did all the things that life requires and I rested. Now I hope I have something worthwhile to say and offer others. As a matter of fact, I did today in my post! It's so rewarding for a writer to know what they wrote actually helped to change the course of someone's life. Even though it was one person in a private email to me thanking me for my words, today was one of those high writing days for me! And the reality check of it all is that it really wasn't about me at all!!
Hi Terri....What if I took a break and then couldn't get back to blogging? Wellllllll, I guess I would write more of other stuff, in the freed up time.
BUT, it'd be very lonely. I wouldn't get feedback or encouragment from my beloved fellow bloggers, and that would be awful.
It would leave a HUGE hole in my life and I would hate it.
So, I hope I won't take a break---or at least not a long one---and I will keep on keeping on! Susan
Hi Terri,
You are one determined woman! :-)
I tend to take blog breaks during the Christmas holidays, but I line up re-runs. And occasionally life gets REALLY crazy and I have no choice but to take a break from all writing. Now that I have a deadline, well, that option isn't really there.
Blessings to you, my friend.
I'm sorry about the contest news, but excited about your new book :)
I've been thinking about taking a break from my personal blog but I'm not sure yet. I've already cut down a lot to spend time with family and prepare for the baby but I definitely want that extra bit of time to use for writing, too.
I'd probably write more ;)
I'm sorry, I do have to tell you that your book (the part you were kind enough to share with me) has really stuck with me! You have a gift of telling such descriptive detail. I think you rock, my friend!
That is a good question. Perhaps the blog takes too much time by the time I read all my blogging friends posts and comment. I allow myself the time because at this point in my life I need the connections and I need the inspiration that I find from others.
I don't write on my blog as much as I read others. I'm ok with that. I write when I feel I have something I want to share publicly.
I would write more if I didn't spend so much time on blogging. I am striving to find the balance for that right now.
I would spend less time on the computer, but then I would miss all my blogging friends who have become very dear to me. I feel as if I have known some of them all my life.....
Starting on the next book is a great! I do that as well. I wish you every success.
Hey Terri, eating the elephant takes one bite at a time. I actually have gotten back into submitting. Sent out three things this past week. Setting the summer up for action.
Hi Terri -
We don't live in a vacuum. If we stop one thing, another is sure to fill that void.
I can't imagine stopping the blog, but who can say what tomorrow will bring? A big rock may be piling into my jar soon, and it could displace some other rocks. :)
Blessings,
Susan
If I took a break and couldn't get back on blogger I'd probably get a whole heck a of a lot more writing done. I sometimes wonder if blogging makes sense... ya know, with everything else that takes up time. I sometimes wonder if anyone really cares about my blog other than me...
I journal - and many times I include insights I have about life; I decided to start creating a book from those entries to leave to my children or perhaps get published and my 10 year old granddaugther is a wonderful artist - she can be my illustrator!
I would spend the time on something silly and that is why I carry on with my blog. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. That,and the friends make it worthwhile.
In all actuality, I wish I could take a break from the Internet - I would dive completely into my manuscript. However, my job pretty much makes it impossible to stay off the 'Net, and I have to check email due to freelance commitments, etc.
That is precisely why I decided not to get the Internet in my new office. It's available on our computer downstairs if I need it, but I don't need the added distraction when I should be writing. :-)
Ooo, an artist consultant. Cool idea! My brain never really breaks from writing and everything it entails. And I don't want it to. I love this crazy biz!
Ooh, that's kind of depressing. But I'd still have FB and Twitter to hold me over until I came up with a plan. LOL
How true. A pause button every now and then would be nice, or better yet, manuscripts that wrote themselves. :)
I'm sorry you didn't get the call. :-( One of my critters didn't either and she's an excellent writer.
As for blog breaks, I take some but then I come back because I prefer this kind of networking over twitter or facebook. If I couldn't get back on blogger, I guess I'd have to learn how to work twitter. Blech.
Ouch. Not sure, exactly. That's a hard one, but I feel convicted sometimes and think it's actually good to unplug like that now and then.
Did you find it refreshing?
I love the questions you ask, and I'm so tickled for this new direction you seem to be drifting toward.
If I couldn't blog, I'd need to take or teach a writing class -both for the company and the accountability.
I came off of a small break just recently, and it was most refreshing! But you're right, the world doesn't stop just because you need to.
It is so nice to meet you, and i'm now following.
Stop by anytime!
Ciao Bella!
Creative Carmelina
If I took a blog break I would probably get a lot more writing done.
I would certainly have withdrawls.
Terri,
Stop by my blog today. I think you will enjoy my post.
http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com
Spend more time writing!
Probably start afresh...
It's been a drain as of late. But I keep making myself write in hopes that my previous passions catch up with my pen!
Peace~elaine
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