As I’m sure you’ve noticed, new posts to my blog have been absent. I considered pushing through to make sure I had consistent content, but that’s how I ended up in this predicament in the first place. Let me explain.
When the pandemic first began, I was at the start of a blog tour promoting A Noble’s Path, the next book in my quartet. While I had a wonderful time getting to know new bloggers and participating in interviews, the results were mixed. People had other things on their mind and so did I. We didn’t know how long this whole thing was going to last and each day was a question mark.
After the tour ended, I threw myself into edits for book three, A Rebel’s Path. And there were more than a few days when it felt like I had to throw myself into it because I had no desire to work on edits. I made a deal with myself that I would work on at least six pages every day, so I could get my manuscript to my editor in a timely fashion. I have no idea what I wrote and it showed when I got comments back from my editor saying, “This doesn’t sound like you.”
And it wasn’t. I apologized to her and set my work aside promising to get it to her before summer. But the pandemic dragged on, my daughter was home “virtually learning” and my normal time for creativity became hampered. To make a long story short, I got stuck. So I made a really scary decision for someone who has written consistently since 2012. I stopped writing.
I knew it wasn’t forever, but it still made me nervous. Why was I home, if not to commit to writing? Besides the quarantine, there was no reason I should be here. But then I started to embrace what I call mechanical creativity–artistic but guided. I practiced calligraphy drills. I used coloring books. I tried drawing tutorials. I created illuminated letter art for friends. I did a lot of redecorating in Animal Crossing. All of it had one thing in common–no writing and no stakes.
It’s still scary especially because I have little patience. I want stuff done yesterday so I can check it off my list, but all the mechanical creativity has taught me to take a breath or three and realize writing will always be there. Every so often I have to relearn that.
So thank you for those readers who kept coming back to my blog and to the new arrivals, welcome. We finally seem to be on the approach to turn a corner and what better way to celebrate than getting back to normal-ish.
Fairy Tale Feminista 
Welcome back 🙂 as you said, writing is always there. Personally I think it’s good to step away sometimes so we don’t drive ourselves to burnout.
So true. The call to keep working is so insistent but sometimes we have to put it on mute!
Glad to see you back. I think this pandemic created an idea that with all this time at home, we should be banging out full novels every month and yet for some of us, that just didn’t work. Taking some time away is always best and those letter arts are stunning!!
Thanks! I figure if I’m going to take up art, I might as well use actual words and letters while I get back into the swing of writing!
Welcome back! I too have not written since before the pandemic and I felt guilty because I thought I should have done it while I was at home in lockdown. I soon realised that it wasn’t possible due to my domestic situation, being home alone with two children and a rescue dog that needed training. I just about managed to keep my blog going and that was enough. The fiction writing will return in time. It never goes away 🙂
It was a bit jarring not being able to write and realizing how hands on I needed to be with my daughter considering she’s not little anymore. But I do take comfort in the fact that ideas have been bubbling up for stories and even edits. When she returns to school and a normal schedule in the fall, I feel I’ll be ready.
Reblogged this on Azaaa Davis — Author of Fantasy Novels and commented:
A great “rest, don’t quit” blog post from a fellow author.
#author #indieauthor #writermom #writerlife #inspired
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