Thursday, January 30, 2014

Easing Back In

With the nonfiction book safely in my editor's hands, it's time to get back to the novel. I thought I could jump right back in, but it turns out it's been more of a slow process. I think it's because my brain is fried.

This month has been full of a lot of upheavals for our family, and the stress has taken a toll. In the midst of all of that, I was trying to finish a book. Now that it's done, my brain is yelling at me to just take a break. Play. Read. Watch movies. Be lazy.

Of course, the Should Committee is out in full force.

"You should be writing right now."

"You should quit being lazy and get to work."

"You should turn off the t.v. and do something productive."

I'm telling the Should Committee to take a hike.

The older I get, the more attune I become to what my body (and my brain) is trying to tell me.

And right now, it's telling me to relax.  Refuel. Re-energize.

So that's what I'm doing.

The excitement is slowly returning, and I can't wait until it's time to become immersed again in my fiction.

The moment will come. I will be patient, and I will wait.

12 comments:

  1. I love your term, "Should Committee"! I am so guilty of pressuring myself to constantly be doing... Life's so short and I want to get. things. done. That never results in happiness, though. It's all about balance...
    Enjoy your rest. Your book will be that much better for it.

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    1. Ah, balance. It's so hard to achieve, isn't it? But the point is that we keep trying and keep giving ourselves grace when we fail. :)

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  2. It's hard not to "should" on ourselves, isn't it? I'm working on that, too.

    I also read somewhere that dormancy is a natural part of the creative process. We need time not writing and away from writing to feed the creative energy for when we do write, just like in nature--plants need the dormancy of winter so they can blossom in the spring.

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    1. That's a great analogy, Ilene - plans needs the dormancy of winter so they can blossom in the spring. I love this!

      I took the weekend off (didn't really mean to - it just happened) and now I feel ready to jump back into the novel. If only the day job wouldn't get in the way! =)

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  3. Cheers for sending off the non fiction manuscript. And cheers for taking a well deserved break. I'm doing the same right now. I've finished revisions on an MS and have it off to a second round of beta readers. Meanwhile I'm reading a lot for enjoyment and reading a few old manuscripts and half-developed, deciding which to work on next.

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    1. I did some reading, as well, and I'm glad I did. It got me back into the "fiction" mode since I was mostly reading nonfiction books before.

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  4. I think I've written this same post (or variations of) several times over the last year! Refuel! Let your well fill back up. :)

    Congrats on getting that book to your editor! What a huge accomplishment that is!

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    1. Thanks, Heidi! It was indeed wonderful to turn in that final manuscript. Now I just have to wait for the copyedits. That should be pretty interesting. :)

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  5. You get full Auntie Stress points for listening to what your body needs, Melissa. *insert song* - Turn, Turn, Turn - "to everything there is a season..."

    You've just accomplished a great thing, which is no easy feat, as I'm learning. Congratulations! Now give yourself time to do what you love to help you restore and revitalize.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Marianna. :) My RA has been in full flare mode this weekend, but I've been babying myself as much as possible. Fortunately, I've also been able to dive into my novel and that helps me feel so much better. :)

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  6. Anonymous2:50 PM

    I frequently tell my "Should Committee" where they can put their suggestions! The only thing you 'should' be doing is relaxing and unwinding after a job well done!

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