How to not feel bad for taking a break?

[ThisAdamGuy]

Over the last two months, I wrote 60,000 words for IAFADJAGTIAFR?! 2. Then I jumped straight from that to writing 10,000 words for Woemaker in about two weeks. I thought I could keep riding that creative wave and power through Henry Rider 3, but I'm just so...freaking...tired. Every time I sit down to write, my brain either goes all foggy, or I get a headache. I know I just need to take a break and recharge, but whenever I try I feel guilty for it. Professional authors write every day, even if they don't want to, so if I can't even manage to pound out 1000 words I must not be as good of a writer as I thought.

How do you guys deal with this?

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Procreate, and then you'll have mom guilt instead.

 

[FluffyGura]

Maybe think of it as a a commercial plane that land at certain countries to refuel which is required to continue the journey to it's destination. Now take 'break' as landing to refuel which is required to continue Ur current flow of writing.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

Over the last two months, I wrote 60,000 words for IAFADJAGTIAFR?! 2. Then I jumped straight from that to writing 10,000 words for Woemaker in about two weeks. I thought I could keep riding that creative wave and power through Henry Rider 3, but I'm just so...freaking...tired. Every time I sit down to write, my brain either goes all foggy, or I get a headache. I know I just need to take a break and recharge, but whenever I try I feel guilty for it. Professional authors write every day, even if they don't want to, so if I can't even manage to pound out 1000 words I must not be as good of a writer as I thought.

How do you guys deal with this?

This kind of thinking "I feel guilty coz I can't write" is wrong. Impressive, but wrong. We authors (at least, the serious ones) do suffer from it, but it's not good to continue writing even when the 'danger signs' of exhaustion and potential burnout are already there.

So, if you have to rest, then rest. For how long? As long as you should; usually, you'll know when you are ready to write once you picked up that pen, and the words just flow out naturally. Serious readers will understand and even encourage you to take a break, anyway, and only their opinions matter.

 

[ACertainPassingUser]

Figure out why do you have that bad feeling in the first place.

Q: Why am i taking a break ?
A: Because im tired of writing 60,000 words


Q: Why Am I tired of writing 60,000 words ?
A: Because writing 60,000 words is exhausting me more than i expected


Q: Why writing 60,000 words is exhausting ?
A: Because writing 60,000 words force me to write more hours than im used to


Q: Why do I expect writing 60,000 words isn't that tiring before ?
A: Because i haven't calculated how much energy and tiredness i would experience if I'm going to write that much

Q: Why i can't calculate writing 60,000 words is going to be tiring ?
A: Because i write in smaller amount before, and back then 60,000 words is done in very lon sessions, and its not that tiring writing that amount while is being in relaxed pace.

Q: Why did i write in relaxed pace before ?
A: Because back then I'm just writing to have fun and not that serious

Q: Why did you stop and suddenly increase your pace ?
A: Because i want to gain more reader, and in order to do that i increace my pacing, and ended up doing 60,000 in such short time, and ended up being tired and fatigued. But i didnt stop and just continue until i feel the brain fog.


Thinking about thinking is important.

You must catch and find your shadow thought. A thought that you mever thought to exist inside you, a shadow thought that exist inside your consciousness that always exist but you never been aware of.

The hidden reasoning within yourself of why things have been going this way. Aknowledge all what you think, what you do, what people do, and what others think.

Its not an excuse. You need to accept the reality too. You cant find solution to problem you haven't assessed.

I've learned it from a book called Shadow Jouenal. You can find .pdf or .epub for free.

 

[Comatoast]

Over the last two months, I wrote 60,000 words for IAFADJAGTIAFR?! 2. Then I jumped straight from that to writing 10,000 words for Woemaker in about two weeks. I thought I could keep riding that creative wave and power through Henry Rider 3, but I'm just so...freaking...tired. Every time I sit down to write, my brain either goes all foggy, or I get a headache. I know I just need to take a break and recharge, but whenever I try I feel guilty for it. Professional authors write every day, even if they don't want to, so if I can't even manage to pound out 1000 words I must not be as good of a writer as I thought.

How do you guys deal with this?

Think of it as a purge and a nice return to a fresh start.

Like trimming off the fat, The artificial inflation of readers only interested in a consistent schedule will fall away and the ones invested in your work will stay.

Not only that, It's not just for you, It's also for them.
Taking care of yourself takes care of them and gives them what fan worth keeping wants which is to see you prosper.

If they don't want it? Good riddance. People like that are toxic so you're doing yourself and your community a favor.
Take a break champ, You deserve it. ?

 

[ElijahRyne]

Over the last two months, I wrote 60,000 words for IAFADJAGTIAFR?! 2. Then I jumped straight from that to writing 10,000 words for Woemaker in about two weeks. I thought I could keep riding that creative wave and power through Henry Rider 3, but I'm just so...freaking...tired. Every time I sit down to write, my brain either goes all foggy, or I get a headache. I know I just need to take a break and recharge, but whenever I try I feel guilty for it. Professional authors write every day, even if they don't want to, so if I can't even manage to pound out 1000 words I must not be as good of a writer as I thought.

How do you guys deal with this?

One, a work week is currently 5 days. Take at least two days off.
Two, writing isn’t just about putting words onto a page, it is also about turning thoughts into words. If you have consumed all your thoughts, then you can’t write. Take a break.
Three, who decided what makes a good writer is words per day? Truly a lie that must be slain.
Four, read and/or watch something as inspiration if needs be.
Five, if all else fails have someone watch over you to stop you from writing.

If you wish to become a professional writer, who decided that the goal is to work yourself to the bone? Injuries take time to heal, you can’t expect to deglove yourself every day to prove that you have what it takes to be a pro.

Does the farmer use the same plot of land to do the same thing every year? No, they alternate the crops before letting the ground lie fallow. Does the worker just let their boss step on their back every day every week? Does the shepherd leave their flock to graze on the same patch every day? Does the writer write themselves to the bone?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Since March, I've written ... let's see
Between Worlds: 110000
Strange Awakening - unsure as had somewhere around 30K already down so somewhere between 30000 and 50000; say 40K
The Kaiju System (HoneyFeed): 40,000 (actually started this in November)
Jack Diamond - just under 30K between both stories
True Blue (Royal Road): About 10K (of the just under 30k it stands at)
Unreleased stuff: 73000
So roughly 300,000 words from 3/1 through 11/1.
But... I was unemployed. Since I started part time work last month, I've only written about 60K total words (most of it in a single story), and have slowed my release schedules a lot....

Things happen. If writing is not your sole source of income, or your driving passion, you WILL need to take breaks and recharge.
Even if it IS you will need to, but then "taking a break" might mean "writing something completely different" rather than "not writing at all."
Nothing to feel guilty about at all.

 

[JayMark]

I tried to juggle the 55k word challenge with a full time job plus overtime events because of busy season. And keep my other stories posted to boot. I couldn't get to the half-way mark. I face planted head first into the wall. I could have forced it but it would have cost me vomiting out garbage writing and potentially wrecking the flow of my story with bad chapters that needed rewritten anyway. Ultimately the little prize and bragging rights weren't worth it.

 

[Masked_writer]

Procreate, and then you'll have mom guilt instead.

Nope, my wife does not have it. I checked

 

[John_Owl]

Let me put it this way: The brain is a muscle. It burns calories just thinking. Writing requires far more, and far more intense, thinking than other jobs. Writing is DEFINITELY work. Could you drive 60k nails and not be tired? No. You'd be dead tired from swinging the hammer. Same thing here. You need a break. Release one more chapter and include an authors' note informing them that you need a break and you'll be back when you're able to. Explain that the stresses is affecting your health (brain fog and headaches are health issues. remember, the brain is a muscle. Brain fog is equal to muscle fatigue, headaches is equal to muscle aches).

You can also give an expected return date. If you need longer, fine. Leave a note on your wall. If you can return sooner thats fine too. I'd aim for two weeks. During this time, relax. During my breaks, I still write, but more to not get out of the habit. And I never write things that I expect to post. Just inane little babblings, stories that would be against ToS for one reason or another, etc etc. basically just things I WANT to work on. You'd be surprised how relaxing that can be, rather than writing in the world you've created that you're now expected to write in.

I'd recommend learning a new skill for your first break. A break I took years ago, I learned to throw playing cards. Got pretty good at it too. My first break after I started writing back in high school, I learned to flick pennies (Like, snapping my fingers, but using that force to send pennies flying at a target). I've learned close up magic, I've studied blacksmithing, HEMA, archery, target shooting (guns), various crafts from strange material (made a bow out of PVC and fiberglass, made a bo staff, made tonfa, etc).

I also took up DND during a break 7 years ago as DM. It really does help writers learn to write better in some ways, but can also create bad habits in other ways, so proceed with caution with it. Point is, do things that help you relax but that also keep your brain working. If you don't it'll be harder to get out of vacay mode and back into work mode.

 

[DoraWritesBL]

Over the last two months, I wrote 60,000 words for IAFADJAGTIAFR?! 2. Then I jumped straight from that to writing 10,000 words for Woemaker in about two weeks. I thought I could keep riding that creative wave and power through Henry Rider 3, but I'm just so...freaking...tired. Every time I sit down to write, my brain either goes all foggy, or I get a headache. I know I just need to take a break and recharge, but whenever I try I feel guilty for it. Professional authors write every day, even if they don't want to, so if I can't even manage to pound out 1000 words I must not be as good of a writer as I thought.

How do you guys deal with this?

As someone who asked this question until the very patient folks on this site stopped answering, I have this to tell you: chill. Just chill. You are not a robot. You are not AI. You need to chill or you will burn out.

If you haven't already.

In which case, ask the Scribble Hubbers for a good book and chill.

=)

 

[SabrielSilver]

Congrats on writing 70,000 words! That is a huge accomplishment, and it makes sense that you are feeling burned out. Writing takes a lot of energy, and being tired doesn’t mean you are a bad writer. It means you have been working hard.

The idea that authors write every day without fail is an unhealthy mindset in my opinion. Humans aren't machines - we make mistakes and it gets hard to think when we are tired. Believe me, I want to live in the happiness that is writing all the time but I know I can't realistically. Many authors take breaks to recharge, and that is okay. Rest is not “not writing”; it is part of the creative process. Your brain needs time to recover, and forcing it can lead to pain and immense frustration.

Try looking at rest as fuel for creativity. Do things that relax you and make you happy - read, watch movies, take walks, play games - anything that helps you recharge. If guilt creeps in, remind yourself that resting is not failing. (You can even call out your guilt for being ridiculous because you wrote over 70k words! Guilt can go screw itself!) Rest is preparing for the next wave of inspiration so you can pen it. You are doing so well, and the creativity will be there when you are rested and ready. You've got this.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

The idea that authors write every day without fail is an unhealthy mindset in my opinion. Humans aren't machines - we make mistakes and it gets hard to think when we are tired. Believe me, I want to live in the happiness that is writing all the time but I know I can't realistically. Many authors take breaks to recharge, and that is okay. Rest is not “not writing”; it is part of the creative process. Your brain needs time to recover, and forcing it can lead to pain and immense frustration.

The advice I've gotten from pro writers was more like this:
Every day, dedicate at least an hour to writing, with one day off a week. Every day, dedicate at least half as much time as you spent writing in reading, and most or all of it other people's work, not re-reading your own. And, no matter how much time you spend writing or reading, take at least one break mid-way.

 

[Puji-Maki]

Just don't feel guilty about it.

 

[SabrielSilver]

The advice I've gotten from pro writers was more like this:
Every day, dedicate at least an hour to writing, with one day off a week. Every day, dedicate at least half as much time as you spent writing in reading, and most or all of it other people's work, not re-reading your own. And, no matter how much time you spend writing or reading, take at least one break mid-way.

I appreciate the advice, and I know it works well for some writers, but it’s important to remember that writing routines aren’t one-size-fits-all. For many people, trying to follow such a rigid schedule can lead to burnout or frustration. It’s crucial to find a schedule and pace that works for you and your lifestyle.

You can absolutely be successful without writing every single day or sticking to a strict regimen. For example, I fluctuate between writing 1–3 chapters a week and sometimes take a week off when needed. Even with that approach, I’ve gained readers, and I know my audience will continue to grow with time.

The key isn’t about forcing yourself to write every day but finding a balance that allows you to stay consistent and enjoy the process. Writing isn’t an all-or-nothing endeavor - there’s a happy medium where you can thrive. Flexibility makes this advice more achievable and sustainable instead of just making you feel like you aren't living up to some abstract standard.

As for reading? I agree with the sentiment to read a lot to make sure you know how a story should generally go but I think taking free writing classes or listening to author podcasts might be equally or more helpful from my experience.