Saturday, July 13, 2019

Choosing to Relax Helps You Achieve Success as a Writer


by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

As I mulled over options for this column, American Ninja Warrior (ANW)was on the television in the background. I don’t aspire to conquer those crazy obstacle courses; I’m an armchair American Ninja Warrior. And while I cheer the competitors on during their runs, I love hearing their how-I-got-here stories even more. 

Alyssa Beard is one of the top female ANWs, but the 2018 season was disappointing for her. She made it to the Las Vegas finals, but fell on the first obstacle. How did she handle such an unexpected end to her season?

She gave herself permission to take a break from her training and took a three-week backpacking trip through Italy with her sister. She didn’t quit—she regrouped.

I don’t know what your summer has been like. Maybe you’ve been laying around in the hammock sipping strawberry lemonade and plotting all sorts of new stories. Or, maybe like me, you’ve juggled real life and writing life. Some days you’ve been successful and some days you’ve struggled to keep all the balls in the air.

And maybe, just maybe, you feel like you’ve been juggling and walking a tightrope at the same time … and you’ve lost your footing and every single ball you’re trying so hard to control.

If an elite athlete can take a break, then we can, too. 

I realize a three-week backpacking trip to Italy might be out of the question may be out of the question for a lot of us. But maybe a weekend away is a possibility? How about spending some time at the neighborhood pool – and not bringing your manuscript? Or going to see some of the local sights you’ve always meant to visit, but have never gotten around to? Or having coffee with some non-writer friends. You do have non-writer friends, right?

Sometimes rather than pushing through, the best thing to do is to give yourself a break. I’m all for not quitting, but relaxing and catching your breath isn’t the same as abandoning your goals. And sometimes unwinding is exactly what you—Yes, you!—need to refresh your heart and mind to achieve writing success.

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Award-winning author Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Having authored nine contemporary romance novels and novellas, Beth's first women's fiction novel with Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018. Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters Series, releases May 2019. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.

10 comments:

  1. Thanks Beth! It’s kind of a rhythm right? Sometimes we should “press in”, but sometimes it’s better to “press out” and step away. Perfect day in CT to do just that. :)

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  2. It is a rhythm, and it's a challenging one to master. For me, I too often overlook the "rest" part of the cycle because there's always so much to do -- there's always just one more thing.

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  3. Great idea Ms. Beth. Have been struggling since a surgery to write, but one-handed keyboarding is not my forte. I decided to take a break this past week and focus on rehab and trying get other things done. This morning, my muse is calling again. Thanks for confirming that a short break can indeed help our outlook and our productivity.

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    1. J.D.: So sorry to hear you had surgery. And I can only imagine how challenging one-handed keyboarding can be. Praying for a complete recovery. And as my husband says, "You only get one chance to heal properly the first time."

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  4. Thanks for good advice, Beth! and here in the Springs we have lots of places to get out and relax and regroup!

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    1. It's true -- the Springs offers lots of opportunities to relax. Today, however, I enjoyed a walk along the ocean at Tybee Beach in Savannah, GA.

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  5. Not sure why my comments come up as from unknown. My email is set as "Comment as.."
    Kathy

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  6. I love American Ninja Warrior! And yes, I saw that episode as well and appreciate Alyssa's regrouping. Once I finish hot-drafting my next manuscript, I'm taking time off as well. Thank you for the encouragement to rest our creative spirit.

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  7. What's a non-writer friend? LOL! Truth is, I have a friend who hates to write and hates technology and is the best prayer partner ever. It's refreshing to sit with her and talk life before we pray each month. Intentional breaks are great opportunities for my brain to catch its breath and prepare to absorb new ideas. Great wisdom here, Beth.

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