Comments on: Vacations

By: Bryan Bliss

Bryan Bliss — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:29:39 +0000

I need the time off. I get so into the book, it requires stepping away for me to have any perspective. So, I feel you on this.

By: Joelle

Joelle — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:42 +0000

I think before selling my first book, it was impossible to take time off because I never thought it would happen if I didn’t stay after it. I look back at that as a mistake, but nothing to really regret since I can’t change it. I actually learned to take weekends off from YOU! The way I see it is you’ve got way more to do than I do and you tend to disappear from email/twitter on the weekends, so yannow, why couldn’t I? Now, if I have to work on a weekend, I’m all moany! Haha!

I ummm…tend to take breaks any time I can think of an excuse. Especially when I’ve handed off a manuscript or idea to you or to my critique group. I work best in the dark, cool months, so I’d planned to take most of the summer very easy, but guess what? It’s been raining and cold for pretty much the entire summer here, so I’ve actually been working. I hope August is nice because I plan to take four weeks off from the WIP to let it sit (assuming I finish it by then) and do a lot of playing and brainstorming.

By: Ty Shiver

Ty Shiver — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 13:08:40 +0000

I agree. Breaks are really good — but so hard to take! I am hoping for a break soon, but with family, life and every other moment writing, it can be hard. Great post, Michael! I needed to hear it!

By: Stephanie P.

Stephanie P. — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:12:58 +0000

Breaks definitely help me! Sometimes they are small, sometimes they run a couple of months. But during those months I’m still writing in my head, crafting out the book, understanding characters, and returning when I’m about to burst. Then there are times when it just pours out. So I flow with it!

By: Sylvia Fisher

Sylvia Fisher — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:18:27 +0000

Uh. Sorry for the repetition. Lousy iPhone fingers.

By: Sylvia Fisher

Sylvia Fisher — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:16:05 +0000

I agree, down time is essential but I think it’s hard to give ourselves permission to take a break. I only really learned the value in my writing life when I started using critique partners. I got some feedback that at the time made my head spin. Not because the person disliked the piece overall or because I disagreed. I knew they were RIGHT and that the changes were gonna be major. Opened up on the table, scalpel kind of major. So I spent the whole week not looking at it and watched the Harry Potter movies, one after another. I found I couldn’t even read a book. But watching good storytelling on TV was kind of a balm for my soul. When writing hurts, I find I have to treat myself or be a kid. That’s when I fell in love with books in the first place. Little wonder that I write YA. Great post!

Little wonder that I write YA. Great post:)

Little wonder I write YA. Great post:)