Finding Flow Again After Burnout
M&D #173
1. Latest News from the Desk of Sooz:
April 2022 —
March flew past. April is flying past too. I finally felt safe taking Cricket out in the world during March, and it was amazing...
But now cases are on the steep rise again where we live, so back into our cave we go! Although at least the weather is warming up here, meaning we can spend more and more time outside.
Thank the heavens because we are sick of each other.
We are so, so sick of each other. 😑
2. Writing Prompts
STORY PROMPT
A portal opens up in a guy's man cave in the basement and monsters spew forth.
JOURNALING PROMPT
Some people thrive in a state of chaos -- throw it all at them, let their surroundings be a mess, and they'll manage. Other people need calm and organization and stability. Neither way is right or wrong, but which do you think you are? How do you think it affects your ability to tap into creativity? (I am definitely the latter, lol)
3. For the Daydreamers: Finding Flow Again
You guys, YOU GUYS. I took three weeks off from Luminaries 2 and it was the best decision I ever made.
I am so glad I listened to my body and stopped at the first sign of a cement wall. I'll admit, I didn't actually take time off from writing. I threw myself into a different project, BUT in my defense, I now realize that that is the way I creatively heal.
Well, otherwise, if I do nothing at all, I'll just keep pushing my brain back to the project I know is due. And then it won't truly be a break at all. I might play video games or read a book, but I'll still be scratching away at the book because my brain needs a story to chew on. Always.
Other writers obviously do not operate this way! This is just my personal method for "clearing the pipes." I am definitely not suggesting you do the same.
And also, for the record, if I am actually in full-on burnout (not just running up against the first wall), then I won't do any writing at all. Then it's legit time off, true recovery vacay time.
BUT, back to the flow I have rediscovered in Luminaries 2!
When I initially opened the manuscript after time away, I will admit I wanted to crawl into a hole and die. No, do not make me read these words I have written and rewritten so many times already. But, after a day of sitting with it, I pulled on my Big Girl Pants and made a Game Plan.
I cannot recommend "Game Plans" enough when you're tackling a book. Just making a list of the steps you need to take can be so helpful for pushing you forward. (Especially in revisions, when all those words can be so overwhelming!) And once I actually made my list for Luminaries 2, it all suddenly seemed quite manageable.
This was my Game Plan:
Make a list of the current scenes
Study said list of scenes
Find missing beats in said scenes
Read/revise with new beats in mind
Add new beats
Wow. That's...not that bad at all, huh? Yes, the actual execution was going to be a challenge, but just knowing what my first step needed to be helped me actually take the step,
Even better, because I took those 3 weeks away and cleansed all Luminaries story from my mind, when I looked at my list of scenes with fresh eyes, I could instantly see what was wrong.
No joke: the problem that had stymied me for ages had the most obvious solution.
(In case you're curious, this one section of scenes that I really loved... Welp, they had to go. Trying to keep those scenes in the book, as I had been doing for so many iterations, was actually derailing tension and therefore the story. After time away working on a different book, I could easily see that. So bye-bye, cookies!)
Once I actually started rereading the book, I was thrilled to find it wasn't bad at all. Rereading it again didn't suck, and ohhh! Here are more areas that were tripping me up that I now see were also derailing tension.
Flash forward to today, two weeks into working on it all again, and the book is flying. It is a joy. I am having so much fun. I actually get EXCITED when my alarm goes off at 5AM because yay!!!! I get to jump back into Hemlock Falls now! #UghJay! #TeamThirst!!
All of this is to say: sometimes the best way to creatively restore is to turn your entire focus onto a new project. It doesn't have to be a new writing project -- I've taught myself how to code in Unity, how to make soap, how to write a graphic novel script...
But letting your brain get fully consumed by something different can be a great way to truly refresh and truly let your subconscious do what it needs to do.
Let me know: what do you do to recover and then rediscover flow again?
4. Something Extra: Five Ways to Avoid Author Burnout
Author Claribel Ortega is popping in with her tips for how to avoid author burnout! (Thanks, Claribel! And congrats on Witchlings!)
Train yourself to take breaks
When I first started on my writing journey, I kept making benchmarks for when I’d be less busy. I told myself that once I got an agent I’d be able to slow down, or after I got my book deal…or after I hit my deadline…you get the picture. In fact, the further I got into my career as an author the busier I became, and I had developed unhealthy habits (like not sleeping enough). I said yes to almost every social event, I spent every free moment I had writing and I justified it all by telling myself it was temporary. I had trained myself as a new writer to overwork myself. But being overworked and under rested doesn’t serve you, your writing, or your career. Being gentle and understanding with yourself and learning to set boundaries around your free time and health, will.
Don’t make writing your only thing
Having interests, hobbies and goals outside of my writing has been crucial for me in avoiding burnout. When I discovered lifting, I found it was a way to get out of the house, set goals for myself that were completely independent of publishing, and having something just for me that didn’t have anything to do with reviews, or public perception, or my book’s success. And sometimes I just want to relax and empty my brain of any thoughts, which is equally important! Video games, tv shows and karaoke have been my go to activities when I need a break from work. Find an outlet that makes you happy and don’t feel guilty about investing time in that!
Ask for more time/don’t rush
An author friend of mine once told me she was late on her book deadline. “How late?” I asked to which she said “Months.” I was horrified. As someone who felt queasy at the thought of handing homework in late as a kid, the thought of being late at all on a book deadline scared me. Now, with my second book coming out in just a month as of writing this, and a third on the way this fall, I know that not only is asking for an extension normal, it’s sometimes necessary. (Especially nowadays! Everyone is made of stress!) It’s been a hard lesson to learn and one that I’m still working through, but it’s better to ask for time when you know you’ll need it than to make yourself sick trying to reach an unrealistic deadline. Similarly, if you’re working on a book on your own without any outside deadlines to deal with, I say take your time. There is nothing like the joy of working on a book unbridled by the pressures of a dwindling timeline.
Known when to pull back from social media
I live on social media. But especially in the past two years, I’ve learned that it’s sometimes necessary to take a long break from it. Watching the successes of your peers can be inspiring, and seeing you’re not the only one dealing with setbacks can be comforting–but too much of either can lead to losing focus of what’s most important: the writing. Not to mention, a constant barrage of news can be really taxing on your mental health. Turning off my notifications, limiting screen time and having constant check-ins with myself about how social media is making me feel have all helped me have a more balanced relationship with my favorite platforms.
Do what feels right for you
All of this advice comes from my own experience but like any advice on writing, publishing, or life in general, what works for one person might not work for another. While all these tips have helped me limit burnout, sometimes it’s been unavoidable. The only thing that really helps is rest. It might take some trial and error before you find the right balance for your life, but whatever you decide, making decisions based on your own needs is always the way to go!
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