Writing is one of the first things I do every morning. I always work on my novel right after I shower, walk my dog, and grab coffee daily. I prioritized it. At least, I used to. But about four months ago, my husband and I decided to move from our two-story house to a single-level home, and in the process of all the decluttering, packing, and taking my dog to the park during showings and open houses, I injured my hip. I wanted to write and edit my book, truly I did. But there were escrow deadlines to address, and because I couldn’t walk without severe pain, physical therapy became my world.

I am happy to say that I’ve moved into my new house and that my hip is feeling much better. But returning to my old writing routine has been unexpectedly difficult. My head still feels cluttered by tasks … car repairs I didn’t make, that ninety-year-old aunt I intended to check up on, and that real ID I never got. And don’t get me started on the tasks created by the move…changing my address on every form imaginable and fixing the items the home inspection uncovered. And then there’s that gnawing pain from my hip that hits whenever I sit down to write.

You didn’t write for four months, that pain seems to be saying.  How can you call yourself a writer? Writers write. It’s what they do.

And although I know that I’m being too hard on myself. That sometimes life just takes over.  Children need to be looked after. Elderly parents need care. We get divorced. Suffer loss. Get sick. It’s as simple as that. But for some reason, I still feel guilty, like I let myself down.

So, what does a writer do when she feels like she’s neglected her novel?

She stops beating herself up, and she does exactly what she was doing before that major life change. She writes. The writing may feel different, like when you start running again after a plantar fasciitis flare-up or a hamstring injury. Unnatural. Painful. Forced. But if you keep writing, the awkward feeling will eventually subside and be replaced by the comfort of your writing routine. And when that happens, your novel and the characters living within it will start to feel like friends once again. Because they haven’t gone anywhere. They’ve just been patiently waiting for you to return.

There’s one more thing. I almost forgot to mention it. That life you were leading, which took you away from your novel… It’s going to make your story richer, fuller, and better. It’s all part of the writing process. Embrace it!

Have you taken a break from your writing because of life circumstances? How did you find your way back to your novel and writing routine? Any tips? I’d love to hear them.