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Returning to Writing After a Break

January 18, 2021 / Motivation and the Writing Life, Uncategorized / 22 COMMENTS


by Elizabeth Spann Craig, @elizabethscraig

2020 was a difficult year for all of us. I wrapped up my own difficult year with my father’s death last month. I immediately stopped everything else I was doing and went to South Carolina to be with my mother who was devastated after losing her husband after 51 years of marriage. Aside from missing Daddy, a retired high school English teacher and college adjunct who was a major positive influence on me and my work, there was a lot of business surrounding his passing to attend to.

I didn’t write. I was too exhausted to do it and way too knocked off my regimen in another state and with a completely different routine there.

Two weeks passed there and I felt . . . awful.

Besides missing Daddy and trying to come to terms with his death, the thing that bothered me most was the fact I hadn’t written. I missed it. I missed my characters and the world I’d made up with them in it. My days just felt wrong.

My kids asked me when I’d last gone two weeks without writing and I had to think about it.  2007? 2002? Before my 19-year-old daughter was born? At any rate, a very long time ago.

Two weeks might not seem like much time. I totally understand that…others have great writing schedules where they do all their work on their project a few days out of the month. It’s whatever works best for us…that’s the right way to tackle writing. But for someone who writes every day as part of their process, two weeks felt like an eternity.

As soon as I returned home, and despite it being a couple of days before Christmas, I hesitantly opened my Word document. Here are my tips for doing so, if you have a longer-than-usual break from writing (whether it’s a year, a month, or a few days) and are trying to return to your story.

Tips for Returning to Your Story After a Break

Take a clearly defined break. Maybe you realize you’re not ready to take your story on yet. It can help to mark on your calendar the day you do want to delve into writing again.

Take it easy.  Be forgiving of yourself and your efforts. Make sure self-care is a priority as you’re trying to pick your project back up. Hydrate, sleep, take walks.

Set the bar low.  You’re probably not going to immediately return to your previous daily word-count. Better to set a very low temporary goal. Think about starting at just 5 minutes.

Consider re-reading what you’ve written. This is usually something I never do (because I end up feeling discouraged about my story or I jump into edit mode). But I needed to read at least the last few pages over to be sure I knew where I was picking up with my outline.

Use writing sprints.  Sprints, either joining one on YouTube or doing one on your own with a timer, can be a great way to fit writing in. It helps knowing there’s a relatively short window you’re trying to stay focused in.

Adhere to your routine. Routines are everything to me. It’s what makes writing muscle memory most of the time. For me, this is getting up at the same time every morning, letting the dog out, getting some water, and sitting down to write. Falling back into your usual schedule can help.

Or, conversely, don’t. And find a new one.  You may find, however, that, for whatever reason, your old routine isn’t working any longer. Experiment with a new one until you find a writing ritual that does.

I’m hoping we all have a better 2021! Have you had any unexpected breaks from writing? How have you gotten back into it again?

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  1. So sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts are with you. Thank you for helping us all by sharing your journey back to writing. Wishing you a 2021 full of of creativity, love, and light.

  2. Elizabeth, so sorry to learn of your loss. Sending hugs and prayers for you and your family. When writing is such a regular part of your routine, I can see where not writing would make you feel off on top of everything else. Hope you are getting back into your regular routine. Take care.

  3. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Elizabeth. What an awful time for you and your family. I wish you all healing and peace as you go on. Thanks for these ideas for coming back to writing. It isn’t easy to do, and especially hard after you’ve had a serious blow. These are good tips for getting back to it at a slow, steady pace and for being kind to yourself as you do.

  4. I’m so sorry for your loss. 2020 was hard enough without the passing of a loved one.

    You talk about the importance of self-care during times like this, and I couldn’t agree more. I’ll add that, to an extent, writing can also be part of a self-care program. Very important to take care of all aspects of ourselves when we’re grieving.

  5. So sorry for the loss of your father. I really feel for the pain your mom is going through and I hope she has support where she lives. That’s great that you were able to get back into your writing so quickly. Loved your tips. I always read a few pages and edit a bit before I start writing. It helps me get back into it.

    1. It’s tough right now for her…because of COVID, none of her usual activities (book club, garden club, Friends of the Library, etc) are available. Really hard time. Thanks for your tip on re-reading the last few pages!

  6. I’m so sorry about the loss of your father Elizabeth – that’s such a heart-hurt. Sending hugs your way.
    When we were first dealing with dementia slamming into our family, it was impossible to find routines and I fell out of touch with writing for months just trying to get through the days. These are excellent tips – it took me writing in small chunks for a few weeks before I felt like myself again.

  7. So very sorry for your loss. However, I am glad you have been able to get back to a routine that will help you deal with the grief. I know your suggestions will help other writers figure out how to handle this unsettling time.

    My ability to work on the fiction I had started completely stalled during the 5 months my husband had to be away–up helping out my daughter and grand-children during the early lock down. What helped me was that I shifted to writing a daily diary on Facebook. It helped me feel connected to the outside world during a time I was completely isolated, gave a shape to my day, and meant I could at least say I had written something. Not surprisingly, as soon as my husband returned, I was able to finish the short story I was working on.

    Big hugs,

    1. That’s such a great idea, Mary Louisa, to both maintain a daily writing habit and to keep connected. So glad he’s back with you now…5 months is such a long time!

      I’ve found that journaling has helped me too, in addition to my regular writing. Sometimes we just have to stop and pay attention to what we need.

      Thanks so much for coming by!

  8. My deepest condolences to you. I lost my dad last month, too, but it was expected since he’d been ill for many years.

    I hope your writing mojo is roaring and waiting to go!

  9. Hi Elizabeth,
    My condolences on the passing of your father.
    I’ve had to put writing on hold at times due to family health issues and getting back into my writing meant re-reading what I had written and setting a timer for twenty minutes of writing. It helped me get back where I needed to be.
    All the best,
    Rose

  10. Hi Elizabeth – so sorry to read about your father … it must be devastating for you and particularly your mother … especially in these days of Covid troubles … I feel for you both and the family. I think in these sort of circumstances, let alone Covid, it’s time we don’t pressurise ourselves to do anything until we feel ready. Perhaps a change of writing … some short stories, or drabbles etc … or even some memoir snippets. Just take your time, adjust … and all the very best – take care and with thoughts – Hilary

  11. I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m glad you’ve been able to get back into your writing. 2020 was such a difficult year but hopefully things will keep moving forward. X

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