A Writer's Sabbatical

This post is originally from my personal blog, but I thought it might be a great fit for this week.

If you checked out my post on the Writer's Alley a couple Mondays ago (click below), you'll understand a bit
more about my self-proclaimed writer sabbatical. It's been about a couple weeks now since I put my characters on hold. And I've had two rejections in that time, which funny enough, hardly affected my emotions like they used to...my writer's brain has literally checked out for the time being.

There are three descriptives that might best illustrate my break so far:

Lately, I have gone to sleep around 10pm. That is CRAZY for me. I am usually striving into the wee 

hours, trying to get word count or build my social media presence. But since I've "checked out" I've heard my body more clearly, it's tired and ready for sleep. And I let it. This is the greatest word I will attribute to my writer's break: REST.

...Not that being a writer causes me to not live abundantly. Actually, I have found great joy in living and writing and enjoying the blessing of story. But, my own self-destruct of unbalanced effort between writing and living made the writing a drain. I have actually enjoyed investing my whole attention to my kids, my friends, my free time. There is no nagging of the story in the back of my mind telling me I really need to get to work. I can't believe what a slave driver I was. LOL. I really did chain myself to publication, and would not allow myself to enjoy the simple leisures of life like a board game, a T.V. series, a song. Can I even say... cleaning my house? Yeah, weird. But seriously, when I let something consume me so thoroughly, I turn my back on so much living. I didn't realize how much I neglected my desire to LIVE ABUNDANTLY. 

The other day, I considered my next step once this break is over. And, if I had considered it before, it would have driven my itch, my anxiousness to get it done, my hurry to press "send". But now, in this state of rest, it seems like a good goal for a time in the near future. Not something to waste mental energy on right now. Just something to ponder until my writer's heart is back in full beat, and my mental energy is restored. This break is most definitely feeding my need to RESTORE.

I have no idea what my segment will be on Fridays since NaNoWriMo is out the window. If you have any suggests, I'd love to hear. I might just do something different each time. For now, I am going to get ready to host a neighborhood girl's night. Have a great weekend!

Here's my Writer's Alley post: What if I Am The Faint of Heart?

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Angie Dicken is a full-time mom and lives in the Midwest with her Texas Aggie sweetheart. An ACFW member since 2010, she has written six historical novels and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. Angie also spends her time designing one-sheets and drinking good coffee with great friends. Check her personal blog at angiedicken.blogspot.com and connect at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dicken.angie, 

Twitter: @angiedicken

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/agdicken/

Chapter Summaries...To Get Your Head in the Game!

The longer I write, the more aware I have become of the importance of character development

By winnond

as the plot moves along. It seems kind of like balancing a ball on the tip of my finger and, unless I keep my eye on it, the ball crashes to the floor and bounces away down tangents without purpose, without reason. I will tell you that, not just as a writer but as a reader, I can't stand it when a story subplot or character's journey has no reason...no impression on the over all theme of the book.

So, when I decide to take the ball, and place it firmly in one place for a nice long time-out (sorry, my alter ego is basketball/football/baseball mom), I have a hard time steadying it on my finger when I return to play (write) again.

When I've been away from a story for a break, once I return the characters seem like they were part of a dream that I can't quite remember. The setting where I left the characters seems to be masked by dusk, with no stadium lights to show details. My hands are calloused by the reality of life outside the story, and I struggle to grasp the ball again!

By satit_srihin

Is this analogy too much? Well, I'll stop now and be straight forward...as Sherrinda mentioned in the Weekend Edition, there is a thorough way to re-acquaint yourself to the ball...er...story... in a fun little exercise (well, not always so fun depending on how "rough" your WIP is...)--Chapter Summaries.

I have 16 chapters written for my current WIP. Instead of just reading the last half of Chapter 16 to get back in the groove, (um...yeah...remember the dim setting and the hazy characters?) I decided to take the time to go through each chapter and sum it up in a short blurb. This reminds me what the characters are going through and what the plot is doing. I also cut and paste some good quotes from each chapter to remind myself what exactly is going on.

By imagerymajestic

**Now, those of you who are plotters might think this is strange timing as far as the process goes...BUT, for me, even if I do plot it out (right now, I have a rough outline of the story, chapter by chapter), as I write, it ALWAYS evolves...so the chapters don't usually pan out like my original outline suggested. So revisiting this type of summary after having written the story to a degree, is really helpful!**

Not only do I also work out some kinks in the story as I read through each chapter, I also have the chance to polish those first chapters that I am taking to conference. And furthermore, feeling connected to my story in a deeper way might be good prep for discussing my story at editor appointments!

So, if you feel like a stranger to your story, put the ball in time-out and study your play book. Chapter by chapter, you'll find yourself prepared to put your head back in the game!

How do you re-acquaint yourself with your story after a break? How much do you plot out before you start writing. Do you use chapter summaries in any way?

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Angie Dicken is a full-time mom and lives in the Midwest with her Texas Aggie sweetheart. An ACFW member since 2010, she has written five Historical Romance novels, has an Historical underway, and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. Angie also spends her time designing one sheets, selling Jamberry Nail Wraps, and drinking good coffee with great friends. Check out her author page at www.facebook.com/dicken.angie

Proposing Motivation After A Writing Break

I settled into my chair on Saturday, excited to jump back into writing after a long writing break. As I got restless in the break, I took some time to consider what I would write, and that I would start soon. It seemed a bit daunting at first, since the last writing I had done was extensive proposal writing, which, for a fiction author, isn't an easy task. But the exercise of proposal writing might have just helped with ending my writing break by giving me the motivation I needed. And in hindsight, I took some very similar measures in setting up a proposal to say "farewell" to my writing break.

There are many elements that go with proposals, but for today's example, I will expand on three objectives of a proposal. Proposals reveal your story and what it's about to the agent or editor, giving them a thorough glimpse at what's in store (and hopefully excitement!). Proposals also give you a chance to outright state the take away value of your story, the very essence of why you wrote it in the first place. And with great importance, the proposal should prove your ability to write, and the passion for telling this specific, unique story of yours. As I began to plunge into writing again, the same three objectives of a proposal seemed to help stir up motivation for ending my writing break:

1. Reveal the Story: Or in this instance, REFRESH myself to the story in my heart. While a proposal gives the reader a thorough look at the story, an author beginning up again after a break will need to look at their story with fresh eyes. I read all the chapters I had written, went through the synopses (and the proposal), and reminded myself of what it all looked like in my daydreaming.:)
2. Take Away Value: We've heard it stated time and again: "Why did you write it? What's the take-away value? What will a reader gain from reading this story?" And that is important to hash out in a proposal. An author ending a writing break, needs to define their purpose for writing what's on their heart. This is essential to motivation after a writing break. It takes that passion driving you to "pick up the pen" once again, and tunnels it through with purpose. And once I have a reason, I can't help but race toward the goal!
3. Prove your Ability: How you write in a proposal should convey that you can write in the first place. And we all know, authenticity goes a long way with today's reader. To write, you must be connected to your own heart, and for us Christian writers, to God's spirit to write with excellence. The best way to begin to do this after a writing break is to journal or write blog posts. Pour your heart out on paper or on your blog to get connected again with passionate prose. This doesn't mean that your rustiness won't show through a bit when you actually get back to your story, but it will give you ample foundation to start...and a little bit of assurance that you have what it takes!

Once you get going on that story, remember to take a first draft mentality...don't worry about it not pouring out right away, and don't edit! Just let your juices flow again. Risk bad writing for excellent writing as you go! Just keep writing!

Have you ever struggled to start up again after a writing break? What helps motivate you?

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

The Tarnished Gift

NEGLECT

On Flickr by EllYouKayEee

The silver tray peeked out from under a pile of unused house decorations. When I cleared it all away, I frowned as the once shiny gift did not hold my reflection, but a rusty dull tarnish. Was it ruined? Had I neglected it too long and now it was no longer the treasure I received for my wedding long ago?

Panic fluttered in my chest as I wondered if the silver tray would ever match up to the shining beauty in my memory—(and I also feared what my mother would think if she'd seen how much I neglected the gift!)

Have you tucked your writing gift away, and allowed time to eat its way through your confidence, your dream? And when you dare to face that gift again, does the panic rise, the fear that, perhaps you've lost it, you've allowed time to suffocate the beauty in your ability?

I have.

In the name of taking a break, I tucked my gift away. And now, as I venture to blow the dust off my writing skills, that same panic I felt when I saw my neglected tray, niggled in my heart. Had I abandoned the gift God gave me—forever? Sure, I'd enjoyed the progress of six years of writing, the baby steps I'd taken toward publishing, and now, with a new year upon us, has my gift deteriorated to rust?

What if I can't write well anymore?

What if the break wasn't a time of rest but a destructive neglect of my ability?

But as I remember God's whispers to me long ago, I have you right where I want you, and that This path IS where I wants you, I can trust in the God who gave me the gift in the first place.

POLISH

On Flickr by MyLifeThroughPhotography

A little silver polish and some elbow grease was needed to make my tray shine again. This writer just needed to refocus, using Scripture and prayer to work off the rust. God's word tells us:

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us." Ephesians 2:10 NEB

I am currently taking the study, Everything Is Possible with God by Rick Warren,  which is perfect to get me back on track with polishing my gift. Warren talks about God's hand in fulfilling our dreams. Warren makes four points using Scripture that also spurred on questions of my own:

1. DON'T FEAR: “I will never leave you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 TEV

If I am certain that my writing really is God's gift to me,

 than why would I think He would take it away and abandon me?

2. DON'T FRET: “Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for him to act...Don't fret and worry—it only leads to harm.” Psalm 37:7-8

If I rush into writing again, without God equipping me, 

then what good will come out of it?

3. DON'T FAINT: “Always pray and never lose heart.” Luke 18:1 PH
   
   
   “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31KJV

Have I prayed about God's direction to polish my gift? 

To write the stories He wants me to write? To use His words, not my own?

 

     4.  DON'T FORGET:  “I will bless the LORD and not forget the glorious things he does for   

            me.”  Psalm 103:2 LB

          “The LORD is not being slow in carrying out his promises...rather, he is being patient with 

           you.”  2Peter 3:9 NJB

How many things has the LORD done for me on this writing journey?

Why would he forsake me now?

With care and quiet diligence, I rub the polishing cream over the soiled surface of the tray, and as I smear away the neglect, the gift returns a glimmer of hope, and then a bright shine of promise that it is still a piece to be treasured.

On Flickr by Kotomicreations

Do you know that your God has given you your gift for keeps? That no matter how much you lay it aside, or tuck it away, if you seek His will, He will bless you anew with the treasure He crafted only for you?

What will you do now? Walk away without hope in the shine, or begin to polish for a bright treasure ahead? 

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

Don't Forget to Take a Break From Your Writing

Photo by dcwriterdawn

Writing is not like a normal job. There are no regular hours or work days. We have to discipline ourselves. We have to make sure our work gets done without a schedule (unless we make one of our own and hold ourselves accountable).

And when we get busy writing and trying to make progress, I think we also have to remember to take a break.

Daily Breaks

Just like with a regular job, I believe we have to take a break from our writing on a daily basis. It could be stopping our writing at a certain time or not starting until a certain time. That gives us a chance to balance our writing day with family time, "me" time, or time doing something recreational to refresh our minds.

Weekly Breaks

Again, like a regular job, I believe we need a day off. Maybe not a whole weekend (and probably not if we have a deadline) but at least one day where we rest and rejuvenate is a good idea. Again, it will help with balance.

Random Breaks

I think these are a great idea during certain times in our lives.

When we're getting burnt out, let yourself take a few days or even a week off. And don't let yourself feel guilty about it.

When you just finished a story, take a break. Let the story sit for a bit and let yourself celebrate by some down time before you start a new story or edit another.

When family, friends, commitments, etc. get overwhelming, let yourself take a break. Just long enough to catch up on the other things without feeling bad you're stopping, and then you can get back to your regular schedule.

I've taken breaks from writing for all these reasons before, and it used to make me feel guilty. Now I try to look at it as necessary and rewarding. Do you take breaks from writing? Does it make you feel guilty?

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Cindy is a Colorado native, living near the mountains with her husband and three beautiful daughters. She writes contemporary Christian romance, seeking to enrich lives with her stories of faith, love, and a touch of humor.

To learn more about Cindy, visit her at her personal blog, www.cindyrwilson.com

When Not To Write

You've been there. We all have. You want to write. You need to write. But life just gets in the way. The kids are sick. Work is physically and mentally draining. Your obligations at church are time consuming. Your children's activities require your time and attention. You know the drill. Life happens.

So is it okay to set aside your writing for a time? There are many who believe you must write every day. No matter what. You get in your 1000 words a day. Period. You can't be a real writer if you can't push through the busyness of life, right?

Well, I certainly hope that is not the case, because there are seasons in my life when I have to stop and let the stories lie fallow. I am in one of those seasons right now due to my job at an elementary school and having a daughter graduate. It has been a crazy month, sapping my energy and creative thought.

There are times when you have to give yourself permission to stop writing and focus your attention on life's issues. It is difficult to not feel guilty, but if you don't surrender to God's whisper to take a break, you will be defeating His purpose for you. You will make yourself crazy trying to cram it all in each day, and your words will suffer.

Give yourself the gift of freedom. Freedom from guilt. Freedom to focus on the here and now--the urgent, the necessary. You won't loose your creative spirit. That gift is from God and will bubble forth when you are ready to release it. The stories will spew upward with renewed energy and your writing will take off like a racehorse at the starting gate.

Remember, it is only for a time. Only for a season. Give yourself a break.

Have you ever taken a rest from writing? If so, what circumstances caused you to do so?


*Clock art from A River of Design