Writing After a Break Changes Things

Ever take a break from writing? Fall out of the habit or let it slip aside because life gets really busy for a while? Well, when you get back to it, you’ll find that writing after a break is a bit different than when you’re writing every day.

3 Ways Going Back to Writing After a Break Changes Things

1. You have to re-read.

You may remember the story, but you won’t remember the details needed at a writing level. So you’ll end up re-reading what you’ve already written to get familiar with it again. Both the story and your notes.

Depending on how far you’ve gotten, that can take a while, too, because it’s hard to resist editing when you’re reading (try though).

2. It changes the story.

When you’ve been working on a novel constantly, you get pulled in to looking at details, and it’s hard to pull back and look at a macro level. When you’re returning to a book after a break, you see that macro level, and that often means that you see flaws that need fixed or get new ideas for the story. In any case, the story changes.

So if you finish the book after a break, you don’t wind up with the same book you would’ve had without the break. It’s a kind of fascinating philosophical thought.

3. It’s harder to write.

I’m not simply talking about the process of writing (although it is harder when you’re rusty). No, I also mean the act of sitting down to write. Of actually making and taking the time to do it.

Writing is work, and when you’re in the habit of working, it’s easier to make yourself do it. When you’re out of the habit, it’s harder to force yourself to sit down and do it on a regular basis. It’s like going back to work after a vacation. That first day is killer.

TL;DR – Don’t Take Long Writing Breaks

If you don’t want your writing to stall, avoid long breaks. Write all the time and if you stop for some reason, get back to it as soon as you can. Otherwise, it’ll be harder and harder to get back to.