Put Down That Pen!
For as long as I can remember writing has played a major role in my life. My home is filled with journal upon journal with intimate details of my notorious adventures. The books also contain story and article ideas, with thousands of random thoughts strewn throughout its pages. I truly believe it is important to write every day. But once in a while the necessity to put down your pen takes on a greater importance.
During the month of December 2009, I took a self-imposed sabbatical from writing. With my plate loaded with more projects than I was prepared to handle, and my stress level reaching epic proportions, I no longer found writing fun. Yet I pressed forward as all good writers believe they must, when hit with writer’s block or fatigue. I allowed my competitive and ambitious nature to berate my good judgment. Until one day, shortly after writing an article for a local magazine, I stopped. I put down my pen, and closed my journal. What followed was relief. For too long I had lost sight as to why I loved writing in the first place. Though it may sound like a cliché, this statement reins true, when writing stops being fun, then stop writing.
I tuned into other creative outlets, which provided the rejuvenation that I needed – music, card making, and hosting a horror movie marathon. Writer’s block, the demands of family, work, and life are all perfect examples why a break from writing may be in your best interest. The last thing an author wants is for their work to sound hollow and unnatural. A lack of passion in your writing is the side effect of forcing yourself to write, when you should not.
My advice is to have fun within all aspects of your life. So, if you decide to put down your pen, or close your notebook, here are two websites, which have the ability to bring a smile to your face, clear your mind and eliminate your stress. Enjoy.
Hunch is an interactive website of questions and answers. It is very easy to become hooked. Be warned.
Ever wanted to know what you would look like as a mini plastic lego-like being? Well, me too! This site is hilarious, for those with an easy sense of humour.
Have you ever reached a point where the joy you gained from writing ceased? What did you do?
Giselle Maclean is Managing Editor of BreakFree, a blog that passionately charts her personal challenges as a wife, mother and friend; while managing a career within the financial services industry.
Nice post, Giselle — I’m guessing a lot of writers will balk at first when they read this, believing that they must write no matter how hard it is, but I found that (personally) it was only when I stopped trying to force myself that I found my voice and true style of expression.
This definitely happened to me, and I finally realized that I hadn’t been producing as much work I knew I was capable of as a writer.
Sometimes you need to stop trying to control it so much and embrace the fact that life is chaotic — it can’t be controlled.
Allow yourself to explore other mediums, as Giselle recommends, and see where your interest takes you — I went from screenwriting to short form fiction and blogging. At first I was a little nervous I was giving up on my dream or something, but by letting go and embracing where ever life takes me, I find it much easier to write and create the work I enjoy.
Thanks for the amazing comment Christopher. There will be times when we are under pressure to meet deadlines, but writing or any creative endeavour, should be fun and energize your soul. I love that you found your voice once you permitted yourself to take a step back.
I agree with both of you, Giselle and Christopher. I too, took a hiatus from writing. It had become too tedious and too much like “work”. I had to wait until I was ready to come back and once I did, I found that I had gained an honesty and casualness I had never known. And it seems to work for me (so far) :-)
Thanks Michelle. Well I for one find your writing a pleasure to read. So kudos to you for knowing when to take a break. Well done.
Excellent advice Giselle. I’ve had to take a break from my writing a couple of times over the last few months for various reasons, (that life getting in the way sounds familiar), and am so glad I did. It’s important that we, as writers, remember that without actually living, we’ve nothing to write about. I’m one of the world’s worst for keeping my nose in a book, if I’m not frantically scribbling in a notebook. Though a natural tendency, (at least for me), it can be a poor choice. Even last night, and this is hard for me to admit, while at my son’s basketball championship game, I was reading a book. Now if it had been a boring game that would be understandable. I don’t even like basketball, but it was one of the most exciting games I’d ever watched. The boys were playing harder than the pros in the NBA, and it was point-by-point throughout. Funny thing is all the kids on both teams are great friends, and after nearly killing each other to get the ball they all went to a party together. But what was I doing during this excitement? Reading! I had to force myself to Put Down The Book!
Good grief! I didn’t mean to write a whole post myself! Just can’t stop myself from writing. :)
Back to the subject at hand – yes, it is very important that we all remember to put down the pen, and just live. Thanks for this great post!
WOW! Deanna you are a wonderful storyteller. I have the tendency to become super focused when I begin a new novel. Heaven help my family when I really focus on writing. My hope is that anyone who decides to read this post, realizes one thing, writing should be fun. Thank you for your comment.