Last week I finished the first draft on my latest book and decided I’d celebrate. Because I’ve been in the writing business a long time, I think I’ve become lax in acknowledging and rewarding myself for achievements. A new book comes out, I finish a first draft, I get a great review, a reader sends me a fan letter…you name it, I tend not to celebrate it. Like most people, I sometimes overemphasize the importance or relevance of a bad event, like a less than stellar review. I forget the fact that most of the time, 99.9 percent of the time, the reviews I get are favorable to fantastic.
One of the ways I decided to reward myself is to remember that taking time off after I write a novel is a GOOD idea. In fact, it’s healthy. After all, writing a novel is a creative endeavor. Recharging the creative well is one of those things, like celebrating a great review, which authors can get in the habit of forgetting. We tend to say, “need to get on the stick” and start researching that next book, etc., etc. I have a strong work ethic, so staying at home doing absolutely nothing but whatever blows my skirt up seems somehow LAZY with capital letters. Then there is the fear factor. What if I take a week off and decide not to write ever again? Not likely.
One thing I did to feel less guilty about recharging the creative well was to make a list of other activities I wanted to accomplish besides writing. I cleaned and polished furniture and did other chores. As far as fun things for the creative well, I’ve read three fantastic books in the last three weeks. This Monday I was recharged and ready to look at the first draft of the book with fresh eyes. The week I took off from writing was good for me, and I’m so glad I did it.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Congrats Denise, by the way everyone needs a break. Sometimes you’ve got to just slow down and take it easy. Life gets better after that. Things seem to run smother.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 am
congrates~~~~ ohhh more storiess that is like giving us chips! cant have just one! I am excited for you!! huge hugs!
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 am
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 am
Congrats, Denise!
Sarah, “seriously allergic to housework” is my new favorite saying!
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:51 am
Virginia,
Yep, my body was giving me fits this week…so I think that was another clue not to push too hard even though I was back in the saddle.
Denise A. Agnew
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 am
Tina,
LOL! Glad my books are like chips to some! YEAHHHHHH!
Denise A. Agnew
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 am
Sarah,
Thanks ma’am! I have to admit I did far more reading than I did housework.
Denise A. Agnew
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:53 am
Azteclady,
Thank ya verra much!
Denise A. Agnew
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 am
I took a week off in February and it rocked. All week, I slept in and watched episodes of Supernatural. It was soooooo what I needed.
I have a lull now, but instead of taking time off, I’m just slowing down a bit and enjoying the small breaks I take in the day, homeschooling the kids, going to the park, going to a movie, playing a game…it’s good stuff!