Writers often take extended breaks from writing for a variety of reasons. Life can get in the way, with work and family commitments demanding our time and attention. Maybe you took a break because you struggled with writer’s block or didn’t feel inspired.
Whatever the reason for your break, getting back into writing can be daunting. You may feel like you’ve lost your mojo or that you’re not good enough. But take heart – with a little effort, you can get back into the swing of things and start writing again.
This blog post will give you some practical tips on how to get back into writing after an extended break.
Why Did You Take a Break From Writing?
Before you start trying to get back into writing, it’s important to ask yourself why you took a break in the first place. Was it because you were too busy with other things? Or was it because you didn’t feel inspired? Once you know why you took a break, you can more easily find a way to get back into writing.
After all, if you understand why you stopped writing, you can be sure to avoid them in the future. Here are some of the most common reasons why writers take a break:
You don’t make enough time for writing
Many writers struggle to find the time to write. If you have a busy lifestyle, it can be hard to make room for writing in your schedule. But if you want to get back into writing, you must make time for it. Your writing habits will never improve if you don’t dedicate some time to sit down and write. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, you need to set some time aside each day or week to write. And if you can’t find the time to write every day, try setting a goal for how much you want to write each week. For example, you might decide that you will write 500 words every day or 2000 words every week.
You’re not inspired
You’re not alone if you find it hard to get motivated to write. Many writers go through periods where they don’t feel inspired. And when this happens, it can be tough to keep writing. Like anything else, writing requires discipline. Even when you don’t feel like it, you need to sit down and write. The best way to find inspiration is to keep writing. The more you write, the more likely you are to have those moments of brilliance.
You don’t know what to write about
Apart from the above reasons, another common reason why writers take a break is that they don’t know what to write about. As we said before, it can be hard to find the motivation to write if you’re feeling uninspired. The writing skills are only as good as the ideas you have to write about. So, if you’re struggling to come up with ideas, try brainstorming or doing research. Once you have some ideas, sit down and start writing. The more you write, the easier it will be to find things to write about.
You start comparing themselves to other writers
Comparing yourself to other writers is a surefire way to kill your motivation. When you compare yourself to other writers, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Remember that every writer is different, and there is no such thing as a perfect writer. So instead of comparing yourself to other writers, focus on improving your own writing. The more you write, the better you will become.
You get too caught up in the editing process
Editing is an important part of the writing process, but it’s easy to get too caught up in it. If you’re spending more time editing than writing, it’s time to take a step back. When you’re first starting out, it’s important to just get the words down on paper. Worry about editing later. The more you write, the easier it will be to edit your work.
You’re too perfectionistic
Some writers are too perfectionistic, and they expect their work to be perfect from the start. This can be a major obstacle because it’s impossible to write perfectly. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has different writing styles. The writing prompts you to see in books are only meant to give you a general idea of what to write about. The important thing is that you start writing and don’t worry about whether or not it’s perfect. Just get the words down on paper, and you can always go back and edit it later.
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The Benefits of Taking a Break From Writing
There are several benefits to taking an extended break from writing.
Firstly, it can give you much-needed time to recharge your creative batteries. If you feel like you’ve been stuck in a rut, taking a break can help you to see things from a fresh perspective and come up with new ideas.
Secondly, it can be a great way to take some time out for yourself and focus on other things in your life. If you’ve been feeling burned out or stressed, taking a break from writing can help you relax and rejuvenate.
Also, if you feel like you’re in a creative rut, it can be helpful to take some time away from your work to explore other interests and hobbies. This can help broaden your horizons and give you new ideas to bring back to your writing.
Extended breaks can also give you much-needed time to revise and edit your work. If you’re not happy with what you’ve written, taking a break can give you some distance from your work so that you can return to it with fresh eyes. This can help you to identify problems and make the necessary changes.
Finally, taking an extended break from writing can also be a great way to build up anticipation for your work. If you’ve been working on a project for a long time, taking a break can help to create some excitement and anticipation for when you finally release it. Like if you’ve been working on a book for months, going on a media blackout and not telling anyone about it can help to generate some serious buzz when you finally announce it.
How to Get Back into Writing After an Extended Break
Now that you know some of the reasons why writers take a break, it’s time to learn how to get back into writing.
1. Start with a writing prompt
Before you start writing again, it can be helpful to break the ice with a writing prompt. This will help you get your creative juices flowing and give you something to write about. For example, a prompt will give you a topic to start with if you can’t think of what to write. The writer’s block will be gone in no time! Even if you think you don’t need a prompt, it can be fun to challenge yourself with one.
2. Set a daily word goal
Many writers believe that the best way to get back into writing is to set a daily word goal. This can help you get into the habit of writing every day, making it easier to reach your overall writing goals. Even if you don’t think you can write a lot in one day, start small and work your way up. You may be surprised at how much you can get done! The writing groove will not only be back but also better than ever. If you are fiction writing, you may want to consider a daily scene goal instead.
3. Comb through an old writing project
Many writers who have been on a break find it helpful to go through old writing projects. This can help give you ideas of what to write about and get you excited about writing again. It’s also great to remind yourself of your progress and how far you’ve come as a writer. Even if you don’t end up using any old material, it can still be helpful to look through it. Suppose you wrote a great scene in the past, but you never finished the story. Now is the perfect time to finish it! Or, if you wrote a short story that you loved but never expanded on, now is your chance.
4. Join a writing community
If you’re having trouble getting back into writing, one of the best things you can do is join a writing group or community. This will allow you to connect with other writers and get much-needed support and motivation. There’s nothing like being around other writers to jump-start your creativity and get you excited about writing again. Plus, it’s always helpful to have someone to talk to when you’re feeling stuck or need some advice. No matter what kind of writer you are, there’s a writing group or community for you. Because not only in writing but in life, it’s important to surround yourself with people who support your dreams and goals. Proper writing practice will hone your skill set and make you a better writer.
5. Take a class or participate in a workshop
If you want to get back into writing, one of the best things you can do is take a class or participate in a workshop. This will help you improve your skills and learn new techniques. It can also be a great way to meet other writers and get feedback on your work. Even if you don’t think you need a class, taking one can still be helpful. It’s always good to learn new things and challenge yourself. Your creative juices will be flowing in no time! Plus, the writing projects you work on in class can be a great addition to your portfolio. A writing session can also jump-start your motivation and give you much-needed structure. You may find that you enjoy the class more than you thought and want to keep taking classes to improve your skills.
6. Remember: you snooze, you lose
The saying “you snooze, you lose” definitely applies when it comes to writing. The longer you wait to get back into writing, the harder it will be. So even if you’re not feeling particularly inspired, try to sit down and write something – anything! – every day. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but getting into the habit of writing regularly will make it much easier to pick up where you left off when you’re finally ready to start writing again. Whatever you do, don’t give up on your writing dreams!
7. Read books on the craft of writing
A long break from writing can be a great time to read books on the craft of writing. This will help you learn some new techniques and strategies. It can also be a great way to get inspired and motivated to write again. If you’re unsure what kind of books to read, ask your local librarian or bookstore employee for some recommendations. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Many online resources can help you find books on writing. A quick search on Amazon or Goodreads will give you a variety of options to choose from.
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8. Get ideas from real life
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, one of the best things you can do is look to real life for inspiration. It’s amazing how much material you can find just by paying attention to the world around you. Whether it’s people watching at the mall or reading the newspaper, there’s always something out there that can spark your creativity. If you feel stuck, try writing about a current event or something that’s going on in your life. It doesn’t matter what you write about. Just get the words flowing and see where they take you. When it comes to writing, the sky’s the limit!
9. Break the rules
If you’re having trouble getting back into writing, one of the best things you can do is break the rules. Don’t worry about writing something perfect or following all the “rules” of writing. Just let your creativity flow and see where it takes you. You may be surprised at what you come up with. Who knows, you might even discover a new writing style that you love! This can be a great way to get yourself motivated and inspired to write again.
10. Take some time for yourself
Finally, don’t forget to take some time for yourself! It’s important to relax and recharge your batteries now and then. If you’ve been feeling stressed or burned out, take a few days off to relax and do something you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be anything big, just something to help you clear your head. Maybe take a long walk in the park or go see a movie. Taking time for yourself will help you come back to writing refreshed and ready to create.
So there you have it, eight great tips to help you get back into writing after an extended break. No matter what your reason for taking a break is, these tips will help you get back on track and start writing again. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start writing!
Final Words on How to Get Back Into Writing
It’s difficult to pick up a writing habit after an extended break. Life gets in the way, and letting other priorities take over is easy. But if you’re feeling called to write again, listening to that inner voice and permitting yourself to create is important. We hope this article not only helped you understand how to get back into writing after an extended break but also inspired you to give yourself the time and space to write again.
The most important thing is to be gentle with yourself and have patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your writing habit won’t be either. Take it one step at a time, and trust that the words will come.
Do you have any tips on how to get back into writing after an extended break? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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