Taking a Break From Writing

I haven't written a word in two weeks.

There, I said it. And you know what? It's been the best thing for my writing.

Last month, I was burning through chapters of my new book like a machine. Coffee in hand, fingers flying across the keyboard, proud of my "dedication." But something felt off. My words felt hollow. My characters seemed lifeless. And that spark – you know the one I'm talking about – was gone.

Then I got sick.

Nothing serious, just a regular cold. But as I sat in bed, something shifted in me. For the first time in months, I wasn't thinking about my word count or my deadline. I was just... present.

The Wake-Up Call

That night, I couldn't sleep. Not because of worry, but because stories – real stories – were flooding my mind. Not the forced narratives I'd been pushing onto the page, but authentic, living tales that made my heart race.

Here's the thing about writing that nobody tells you: Sometimes you need to stop writing to become a better writer.

I know, I know. It sounds crazy. Everything we've learned about writing tells us to push through, to write every day, to never break the chain. And there's value in that advice.

But there's also value in living.

Studies from the University of Illinois reveal something crucial:our brains need downtime to process information and make new connections. Think of it like letting a pot of soup simmer – the flavors need time to blend and develop.

What Happens When You Step Away

Remember when you first fell in love with writing? It wasn't because you had a perfect writing routine. It was because you had something to say. You had experiences that demanded to be shared.

During my two-week break, I:

• Rediscovered my love of reading (without analyzing every sentence)

• Had actual conversations with people (hello, character inspiration!)

• Felt emotions without immediately trying to capture them in words

And something magical happened. My story started writing itself in my head. No forcing, no struggling. Just natural, organic storytelling.

The Permission Slip You Need

So here it is – your permission slip to stop writing. Yes, you. The one reading this while feeling guilty about your unfinished manuscript.

Take a break. A real one.

Not a "let me check my email" break. Not a "I should be writing" break. A genuine, guilt-free step back from your writing.

Because here's what I've learned: The world won't end if you don't write today. Your creativity won't dry up. Your dreams won't crumble.

Instead, you might find what I found – that life itself is the best writing prompt of all.

Coming Back Stronger

When I finally sat down to write again, something had changed. My fingers still moved across the keyboard, but now they were dancing instead of marching. The words flowed not because I forced them, but because they had something real to say.

That chapter I'd been struggling with? I rewrote it in one sitting. Not because I'm some writing genius, but because I finally had the perspective it needed.

Your Turn

I'm not saying you should abandon your writing goals. I'm not saying discipline isn't important. But I am saying that sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing is to stop writing.

Go live a little. Collect experiences. Feel things. Make mistakes. Have adventures.

Your writing will be there when you get back. And trust me, it will be worth the wait.

Want to know the best part? This break taught me more about writing than a dozen craft books ever could. Because sometimes the best writing advice isn't about writing at all.