Thoughts and ideas need time to reveal themselves to you. Taking a break at the right time gives you the opportunity to understand them well.
BY DYLAN BADENHORST
Like every writer, I’ve sat behind my desk, envisioning the impact of my work on the world. But more often, I’ve spent dreaded days filtering thought after thought, unable to make sense of anything going on in my bustling head, with nothing to show but blank pages.
On such days, I’ve questioned what I was thinking trying to pursue a career in writing.
This incapacitating experience isn’t unique to me. Every writer out there has their own difficulties overshadowing their work.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, let me impart what has revealed itself to me: sometimes writing demands that you stop, take a break and come back later with a fresh perspective.
Stepping away from writing
When all the neurotransmitters crash inside your head and you can’t think straight, the best thing to do is take a break.
In her article ‘How to Take a Break from Work’, psychology PhD Elizabeth Scott writes: ‘Taking a break not only gives you the chance to rest, it can also promote clearer thinking and greater productivity.’
Resetting your mind from whatever you’re working on is better than not being able to put pen to paper. You don’t want to be in a position where you become fixated on an idea that isn’t moving along.
It’s better to make up for lost writing time than wasted time.
Return later, one thought at a time
When you’re ready to return to your writing, rid your mind and workspace of distractions. They make thinking that much more difficult.
Writing about your ideas will become easier once you’ve taken the time to sort and understand them. Hopefully, you’ll already have made note of them; don’t ever trust yourself to be capable of remembering all the ideas you unexpectedly come up with.
By organising your thoughts, you’ll find the inspiration to bring them to life. After all, ex nihilo nihil fit: you can’t get something out of nothing.
Embrace the difficulty that is writing
Thomas Mann once said, ‘A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.’
And it’s true: writing isn’t easy. Creative energy comes and goes as often as the wind changes direction.
Try to do only one thing at a time. You can’t write and gather your ideas simultaneously. As tedious as it might be, prepare a rough plan for what you’re going to write – before you begin stitching your words together.
Get your words written
You’ll discover that writing is a process. It’s not something that happens automatically, as if you were a machine effortlessly producing words.
Give those blank pages something to show. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time around, so long as you get that first draft down. You can jazz it up later.
Understand your own writing process
Be aware of your own difficulties when writing, and come to understand them before they have the opportunity to overcome you. Every writer has a different routine, and what works for someone else might not work for you.
Read, watch or listen to personal writing journeys. It’s motivating to realise that you’re not alone in your writing struggles.
About the Author
Dylan Badenhorst is an emerging writer dedicated to the craft of credible writing. He immerses himself in extensive reading and research before putting pen to paper. For him, an idea is more than a fleeting thought – it’s a seed that can grow into something bigger than oneself.
