I have trouble relaxing. I can never quite shut my mind down, even when I’m forcing myself to take a break. For the past week, since I turned in my revisions for my upcoming release “Take Me If You Dare” for Harlequin (Feb. 2010) (Do you like how I slipped in that plug? Snort), I’ve been doing my best to take a break.
It’s so not happening. I still have to work on the day job, which is writing about television, movies and celebs, but I thought I’d give the fiction side of my brain a little rest. A vacation of sorts. Something that hasn’t happened in more than six years when my first book, “Charmed & Dangerous” sold. I’ve had some kind of deadline every few months since then, not that I’m complaining. But I’m a busy chick and I worry about burnout.
So I turned in the revisions on Monday of last week. On Wednesday my editor called. She loved the changes I made and said the book was great — but I needed to revise the proposal I’d sent for the next book. Sigh. I had to write a new chapter and rewrite the synopsis. I turned everything in on Friday, determined to take that self-imposed break over the weekend.
On Saturday I had a lovely book signing with my friends Dakota Cassidy and Michele Bardsley. We did a Q&A session for about 45 minutes, and then we signed books. I had so much fun, and was inspired by the whole event. So much so that I had to stop in a parking lot on the way home. Pull out my notebook and write down some ideas for a character in a YA I’m working on.
But I wasn’t at the computer so I didn’t count that as “real work.” On Sunday I’d promised myself a day on the couch. I was a little under the weather and it seemed like a great idea. I was catching up on some of my screeners for the new TV season. In the middle of “Destination Truth,” which is coming up on SyFy, something clicked in my brain and I had an idea for an interesting plot twist in another project I have stewing. LOL.
I can’t wait to write both books, which means my break is over. If I’m counting right, I think it might have lasted 8 hours. At least I was able to squeeze a nap in there.
So how about you? How do you force your brain to slow down? Or do you?
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Glad that you were as inspired by the book signing as I was Candy! I wrote like a fiend the next day. As for relaxing, yeah, once I’m in the on mode, I have a hard time turning off. The flip side is that when I finally run empty, I tend to shut down automatically.
The best way for me to take it easy is to walk away from the technology (all of it) and take off with the kiddo. She’s a great distraction from all things fiction (unless it’s Junie B. Jones)
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I think hanging out with other writers is the best thing in the world. I almost always go home inspired in some way.
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I agree that hanging out with other writers inspires! I am happy you found time for an 8 hour break! With 4 kids (triplets plus one) all age 8 and younger, a job, writing, and now going back to school (starts tonight!) for a Masters, I’m swamped! Finding time to slow down usually results in sleeping from pure exhaustion! I have no days off in the next 2 weeks, so instead of my brain slowing down, it’s moving double time! I woke up at 4:30 a.m. from a night terror and couldn’t go back to sleep. I find that the more I do, the more active my mind becomes, so I can’t get away from ideas even when I sleep! After last nights night terror, I guess I’m going to delve into writing some horror as well! LOL
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I’m starting Grad school next week! But I’m only taking one class. You lost me at triplets. Goodness. I have two boys, mostly grown, and even I don’t know how I did.
You made me feel lazy and that’s hard to do. 
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Whenever I take a “break” from writing projects that’s when I get my best inspirational moments with new ideas and shiny twists on old ideas. By taking some of the stress away I think we hear our muses louder.
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Kerryn, I think you are right. When we’re working so hard all the time, we tend to push that muse away.
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Hi Candy,
My mind never stops either (insomnia, anyone?), and I have a hard time relaxing, too. (And I used to be so good at it! When did I stop being a bum? Dang.) Thank goodness for books, that’s all I can say.
I was feeling pretty burned out a few months ago after writing 6 books in 4 years (small potatoes for you, I know
), 4 NF and 2 fiction. So I “made” myself take a break, right before RWA nationals. And between the break and hanging out with all the other inspiring author folks–including you–I came home recharged and ready to work again!
Wait, weren’t we talking about relaxing? Sorry…
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Deborah,
I have trouble with insomnia too. Craziness!
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My husband who is involuntarily retired told me recently I cannot quit my job. I can’t stay still when I am home. I always have some project going on
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Sandy, I don’t think I’ll ever retire. I’ll always have to write. I’d be a crazy person… crazier person if I didn’t.
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Much like our friend Sasha, I have trouble finding balance which means I’m dangerously close to burnout before I finally put on the brakes. It’s not a pretty place to be. And when my mind stops, it’s blank. Like Whiteout Blizzard blank…and not only can I not write, I can’t read.
I think some people just CAN and some just CANT *sighs* but in the end it all comes out in the wash. I try to adjust accordingly. I spend a lot less time online–believe it or not I”m rarely on in the evenings–and I try to spend my weekend mornings doing yardwork so at least i get a little vitamin d…but if I have the kids that weekend, it’s tough to get the writing in. To that end, I’ve already decided I’m taking off from writing next summer–I might as well–I went through summer craziness last summer and this summer.
Obviously having them around full time doesn’t work for me, my oldest is a Sophomore this year and while I hope he goes to college, I have a feeling he’s a Jr College sorta guy (and that’s fine w/me) so yeah, two more years to college but he wants to travel and Lord knows what he’ll do or where he’ll end up and as crazy as he makes me, I’ve only got two years left with him.
No they never really leave and yes they’re always your child but they’re not really children anymore. I’m pretty sure you know what I mean.
All that said, I wish he’d introduce me to his girlfriend so I can bribe her into cleaning my office!
The Funny thing is, I spent part of April, all of May and part of June just VOMITING words!!! It was my own little Fast Draft!! Not sure if that was my subconscious getting me ready for a summer of not writing or if I just wrote myself to the point of burnout!
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Amie, I know they drive you crazy but enjoy them while you can. I’m here to tell you the time passes too fast! And I go through phases like that too where I just can’t write fast enough.
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*sigh* Candace I keep reminding myself of that. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time to write once they both move out
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Gawwww
Sorry for writing a book LOL
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I have trouble, too! Very interested in the responses
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So far it seems like most of the writers in the bunch can’t shut down. I’m thinking there is little hope for us.
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My brain never slows down. Just last night, I had vampires chasing me in my dreams. My husband said it was because they wanted in my book.
You know what I was thinking about the other day? When you were at that very first publisher signing at RWA and all you had were cover flats. You’ve come a long way, baby.
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Do you keep a notebook by your bed? I have to now, because I have weeks where my dreams are so crazy-filled with story ideas. Then I can’t go back to sleep if I don’t write them down because I’m afraid I’ll forget them.
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I’m jealous Kristen…I rarely if ever remember my dreams!
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I brain is always running, though unfortunately it’s usually in a different direction than my body. Which is why I’m such a klutz, I think. And occasionally a ditz. I have that ‘absent-minded professor’ thing down pat.
But I’m always inspired by hanging out with my creative friends.
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I’m right there with klutz thing and the absent minded professor. We’re not crazy just eccentric, which is pretty much a cool word for crazy people.
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Hello, Candace!
D. D. Scott here!
Fabulous topic!
I was sooooo relieved after reading your post…
I learned I’m not alone in dealing w/the quirk of not being able to “turn off” my creative divas! My word witches are on a constant trip, racing to the finish line of the next “The End”.
I have endless ideas and characters dancing in my head, dying to take their turn on my pages!
Probably why I created my Muse Therapy classes. Maybe now that I’m teaching writers how to analyze their muses’ funks and up their page count, I can figure out how to give mine a chill pill or two!!! LOL!!!
Sexy, Sassy, Smart Muse Therapy Wishes — D. D. Scott
http://www.DDScott.com
http://twitter.com/ddscottromcom
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That Muse Therapy class sounds very cool!
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Were it not for the weather channel in college/grad school and WTOP (news talk radio) now I would be a far more sleep deprived person. Literally at times it is drowning out the voices in my head. Not the “go see a shrink” kind of voices but sometimes, I need rest. The soft background noise lulls me back to sleep. Thinking at those points is not solving. I need a good 8 hours preferably; then I am prime for the world. Missed the family gene for little (and long) sleep. I do think it at times not getting up and working meant I missed good opportunites, though. Speaking of which, I am almost 2 hrs past my bedtime.
I also think when “break” times come is when most ideas also come. Many of my friends esentially plan to work on Sunday afternoons or at the beach, not to clear things but because they know the ideas will be knocking at the door.