Yesterday I listened to a podcast about the eleven kinds of high achievers. If you’re interested in this topic, you can find the episode on Trish Blackwell’s, The Confidence Podcast. She even provides a quiz. After taking said quiz, I discovered that I’m a chill type A, meaning I show up outwardly as relaxed, but inwardly I put intense pressure on myself to succeed. I would say that this description is accurate. The episode got me thinking about how self-published writers like myself (type A or not) often put pressure on themselves to write and work on publishing-related tasks daily.

It’s widely known that Stephen King writes 365 days a year. If you’re in a critique group, you’re required to submit chapters weekly or monthly. Many writers, myself included, strive to publish at least one novel each year. (On a side note, I do believe that setting annual publishing goals is helpful. Otherwise, before you know it, it’s been five years since your last book launch. But that’s another post.)

My point is, many authors feel pressure to write chapters, post on social media, and create podcasts and blog content daily. There’s this sense that if we skip our daily writing session, or that Zoom critique group that we’re lazy. Speakers at conferences tell us to make writing a daily habit, like brushing our teeth and flossing. We’re told that real writers write. To put our butts in our chairs and type. That little by little big things like finishing a novel get done. That micro quitting—subtly quitting on your dreams by letting up your intensity—is real and something to watch out for. But how do we know if we do truly need a break? Or if we’re on the road to burnout?

The past six months have been tough ones for me from a life perspective. I sold and bought a new house in a challenging Los Angeles market. I got injured and have been dealing with chronic pain. My days consisted of packing, physical therapy sessions, and taking my pets out of my home during open houses and showings. It was a lot, and through it all, I just kept writing and completing my writing-related tasks, even though I felt off, overly stressed, and unmotivated. Did I take a break? No. But my critique group leader did.

He went on vacation and canceled our meetings for an entire month. At first, I was annoyed with him for being so lax. But as the days and weeks passed, I started to appreciate having one less writerly thing to deal with. Not having to prep for those Zoom sessions allowed me to focus more on my current novel, and I began to really enjoy writing again. I decided to take a break from posting and blogging for a bit too. And now, two weeks later, I’m back, writing this article… not because I feel like I have to or I’m supposed to. But because I have something important to say. Bottomline, for me, taking a break from writing and writing tasks has been very beneficial. So how do you know, if taking break might benefit you too? Below are some clues.

1. If you’re working on a project and don’t know what direction to take, and feel stuck.
2. If you get overly defensive when fellow writers give you notes on your work.
3. If you dread your writing sessions.
4. If your writing feels mechanical.
5. If you’re not inspired by books, films, and TV shows that normally motivate you to write and create.
6. If writing drains you and no longer pumps you up.
7. If you feel overly frustrated during writing sessions and critique meetings.

It’s been my experience that the best writing happens when our minds our free to imagine and create. Yes. We need writing schedules and discipline, but we also need to be personally aware and in touch with our emotions and stress levels too. If you think you need a break, you probably do. It’s been said that writing a novel is like running a marathon. Pace yourself. It’s okay to take an occasional break. Taking time off, doesn’t mean you’re not going to cross the finish line and complete that novel. It just means you’re human. Don’t forget. Writers are people too.

Thanks for reading my post! Please leave a comment if this article speaks to you.