December- The Gift of NOT Writing
For a few weeks now, my CPs and I have been talking about not having any energy to draft, revise or query. We keep saying “tomorrow will be better.” And sometimes it is. And sometimes it isn’t. Which we tell ourselves is okay but, at the same time, we don’t really feel okay about it.
I know I have spent the past 11 months drafting, revising, drafting, revising, querying, drafting, revising, and more querying. I am TIRED. I have been taking classes, watching webinars, attending conferences, and WRITING. Non-stop writing. Until now.
2020 has been a heck of a year. I hit the ground running but a global pandemic, distance learning, a nerve-wracking presidential election, and less than “normal” holidays have all been hurdles in my path.
But 2020 has given me some great things, too. I have met some amazing writers that I am lucky to call CPs. I met Marcie Colleen through Julie' Hedlund’s 12x12 Writing Challenge. I have about a dozen PB manuscripts in various stages of completion, a CB series outline, and rough drafts of two MG novels. I have made many wonderful connections, so 2020 hasn’t been all that bad.
That being said, I am giving myself a break in December. I’ve earned it. We’ve all earned it.
Some days I feel like writing. Some days I don’t. I talked about this is my previous blog post. I’ve really struggled with it. I feel like if I stop writing right now, that I’ll be giving up on my goals, after working so hard for so long. Feel familiar?
But right now, not writing means taking a break. And giving myself permission to take that break. My manuscripts, my CPs, and my writing community will all be waiting for me when I get back.
Not writing right now also means more time for family. Holiday movies. Cookie baking. And Zoom game nights with friends.
Some days, I write. Some days, I don’t.
Right now I am spending a rare moment of free time watching the latest episode of Shameless and writing this post.
And it is totally what I needed.
(Brace yourself for the corny Hallmark-like slogan that is coming) This holiday season, give yourself what you really need. And since it can’t be a spa retreat in Cabo, take a bubble bath while your seven year old globs a clay mask all over your face. True story. But, most importantly, give yourself a creative break. You’ve earned it.