THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IN LIFE
IS TO MAKE YOUR VOCATION
YOUR VACATION.
(Mark Twain)
When was the last time you took a vacation from writing? Yeah, that's what I thought. Me, too.
Even when I'm taking a "break," I'm not. I might leave my office - with all the poster boards and index cards and drafts of my latest novel spread around the place so walking is like picking your way through a minefield - but I don't really leave the work. And even if I do manage to put the novel story to bed and tuck the characters under the covers, I'm still not "done." There are flash stories to write and characters to meet and lines of description begging to be written down, even if it's only on the back of my hand.
My "job" is my joy.
I think that a 'break' for me is more like I step back from writing to look at the whole plot of the novel, so I'm not writing everyday, but I'm still working on it.
ReplyDeleteThat makes perfect sense, Melanie. Even when we're not technically "writing," we're still writing. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to take a writing break every once in a while. I find I write better if I can get some distance every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteAre we ever "done" as writers? Gosh, I hope not!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect quote and a wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Angela, distance is definitely needed to get/give perspective on a piece of work. I find, though, that when I stop thinking of a story or a novel, I then start thinking of a different story or novel idea. :)
ReplyDeleteEmily, I agree!
Donna, thank you!
Oooh, I like that: "My 'job' is my joy." I may have to steal it... =]
ReplyDeleteIt's all yours, Milo. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to take vacations from the day job so I can have more time to write. :) Writing is my joy too...but I do find that after I've finished a big project, like a novel, I like to switch gears to other forms such as short stories, flash pieces or poetry. Just can't put that pen down!
ReplyDeleteStacy, I find myself working on both longer works and shorter pieces at the same time. Not sure if that's the best way to go about it, but so far so good. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so true, and it is so much a part of what makes writing such a pleasure. With my "real job," I am always waiting for the next vacation, but with writing, I never even want to stop. Even when I'm at the store or walking my dog or whatever, I'm thinking about characters and ideas in my head. It's a great "job" to have. :) Excellent post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! I read somewhere once that many people can't wait to retire but writers and the like rarely ever say that/feel that way! :)
ReplyDelete