Tip: It's Okay to Take a Break Sometimes

I often read exhortations that someone must write a certain number of hours every day, or write every day, to be a "real" writer. As you know if you're a reader of this blog, I do a fair share of telling people that the way to becoming a published writer is a regular, moderate writing schedule - and I firmly believe that to be true.

However, once of my best teachers, Thaisa Frank, once told the class I was in that sometimes writers are "silent for a while." And that's true, too. Sometimes you just have to fill the well, cogitate, let things simmer - and not just your plot or characters.

If you're exhausted, if the words just aren't coming, take a break. I find it works best to do it consciously, so you don't feel guilty about how you "should" be writing. And it also helps to set an end time for it, so you know you'll get back in the habit. Just say to yourself, "I choose to take a week [two weeks, month] off of writing to recharge my batteries. I'll start again [insert day]." And relax. Then, when it's time, start again.