by Alycia W. Morales     @AlyciaMorales

There is a lot of advice about setting writing goals. And be sure you write every. single. day. Or else the writing genie bottle will dry up and you will lose your mojo. Be sure of that.

Is there ever a time when it’s okay to take a break from writing?

Yes.

Just remember to get right back to it, because if you break for too long, you may never return to writing. Or you may miss a deadline. Or you may decide to go back to your day job. And then what would your readers do?

1. You’ve finished your rough draft. It’s okay to take a day. Or a week. Let your manuscript sit in the drawer (or the file on your computer) and be still. Meanwhile, you may watch the news and realize you forgot to add the perfect flaw to your hero. Or that village needs a new mayor. Or the question you’ve had all along suddenly has an answer, so you need to be sure to rewrite that particular plot line. Try to rest while your manuscript does, and you’ll be more than ready for the rewriting phase you’re about to begin.
2. You’ve turned in your completed novel. It’s okay to take a few days off to renew your creative juices. You’ve just run a marathon. Catch your breath. Start thinking about your next novel, if you haven’t already. If you have, let the new characters start to speak to you, but resist the temptation to run to the keyboard. Head for the couch instead. Put your feet up. Sip a sweet tea. They’ll still be talking to you next week.
3. You’re sick or you need a “mental health day.” Every now and then we just need to take a break. Doesn’t matter what our job is. Writer. Editor. Graphic artist. Teacher. Mother. Construction worker. Lawyer. If we push ourselves beyond what our physical body or emotions can handle, we stand to be in bed a lot longer than if we recognize our physical and emotional need for a day or two off to recuperate. When you feel the need to take a day off because you’ve been hard at work for three months with no break, take one! Your job will still be there tomorrow. So will your blog, article, or manuscript.
4. Your family is going on vacation. We’re always so tempted to take our iPads and laptops with us. If you can avoid bringing them, do so. If not, take them but limit yourself to times when the family is resting. They’ve been quiet while you’ve faced deadlines. They’ve given you space when you’ve been hard at work. Family vacation should be a time when they have your focused attention and you’re interested in their conversation rather than with your imaginary friends’. Unplug. Facebook isn’t going anywhere.
5. Sometimes, God calls us to change direction. Maybe you’ve been writing for a long time, and He has something new for you. Maybe you’ve hit a season in life where you need to focus on a family member or two or six. Maybe you thought writing was your true calling but have come to discover that calling was to be a teacher. God asks us to pick up a pen. And sometimes He asks us to lay it down. Be sure to heed His voice. It’s okay. We’ll still love you. Better to be obedient than to sacrifice what it is He has in store for you, which is always far better than what we want ourselves.

Can you think of any other reasons to take a break from writing? [reminder]

Remember, you want to get back to writing. Let this be permission to take that short, necessary break. But be sure to get back to that keyboard. Your readers await.

Alycia W. Morales is an award-winning freelance editor and author. Her clients have won the Selah Award, BRMCWC Director’s Choice Award, and many others. Her writing has been published in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. She is a member of ACFW, the president of Cross n’ Pens critique group, and a BRMCWC Conference Assistant.

Alycia blogs at The Write Editing and Life. Inspired.

When she isn’t busy writing, editing, and reading, Alycia enjoys spending time with her husband and four children taking hikes in Upstate SC and NC, creating various crafts, coloring in adult coloring books, and watching TV.