The Perfect Vacation
This week's theme is the PERFECT VACATION. While it may seem like a bit of a divergent path from our usual writerly topics, it really isn't. Last week, I had multiple conversations at BEA with editors, other writer friends, and even my agent, that centered around one major theme -- PRESSURE. Stress, from external or internal sources, squashes creativity. Those discussions triggered my thinking about the whole idea of vacations.
Recently, I saw an interesting tweet (sorry I can't remember where the quote came from) that basically said "being a writer means you have homework every single day of your life." So true. Unfortunately, I was always the kid who had their homework done on time. In my little overachiever brain, it would be unimaginable to not turn in an assignment or meet a due date. Now that mindset translates into guilt and stress when it comes to writing under a deadline. I'm my own worst enemy. I put most of the pressure on myself.
So, if that's true, then does that mean summer vacation NEVER comes to writers? Say it isn't so.
In a couple of weeks I have a traditional vacation scheduled--a girls' trip for a long weekend with my older sister and my niece. We're going to this wonderful bed and breakfast on Anna Maria Island in Florida (see picture from previous trip). It has all my required ingredients for the perfect vacation -- sand, ocean, good wine, and great conversation. The most stressful part of the day will be whether to ride the bike down to the Sandbar Restaurant or to sit out on the beach and watch the sunset. At least that's what SHOULD be my biggest concern. In order to accomplish this, I'm not only going to have to leave my "real" job behind, but I also need to give myself a break on the writing goals as well.
We tend to think of vacations as a break from the job, but maybe supporting the writing life includes taking a break from writing? Or the WIP? Or a break from deadlines? Or maybe even a break from the internet? And, by doing so, we actually replenish and nurture our creativity in ways that help us accomplish our writing goals in ways we never could have done if we had kept plodding along under that huge mountain of stress on our backs.
So what would make for your perfect vacation, and what do you need to leave behind?
It's okay to take a break--a breath--in this journey. In fact, by doing so I'm actually going to make my writing, and my life, better.
Recently, I saw an interesting tweet (sorry I can't remember where the quote came from) that basically said "being a writer means you have homework every single day of your life." So true. Unfortunately, I was always the kid who had their homework done on time. In my little overachiever brain, it would be unimaginable to not turn in an assignment or meet a due date. Now that mindset translates into guilt and stress when it comes to writing under a deadline. I'm my own worst enemy. I put most of the pressure on myself.
So, if that's true, then does that mean summer vacation NEVER comes to writers? Say it isn't so.
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| The view from the breakfast table at Harrington House B&B |
We tend to think of vacations as a break from the job, but maybe supporting the writing life includes taking a break from writing? Or the WIP? Or a break from deadlines? Or maybe even a break from the internet? And, by doing so, we actually replenish and nurture our creativity in ways that help us accomplish our writing goals in ways we never could have done if we had kept plodding along under that huge mountain of stress on our backs.
So what would make for your perfect vacation, and what do you need to leave behind?
It's okay to take a break--a breath--in this journey. In fact, by doing so I'm actually going to make my writing, and my life, better.
3 comments
At this point, (adult-style) vacations are usually a time for writing, because with little kids, it's hard to do that at home.
But I can definitely see how getting some space from the writing can help you recharge. After all, I like my kids even more after I've had a little time away from them! Absence, heart, fonder, and so on.
Yes, it is okay to take a breath! What a beautiful spot you're going to. I can't imagine a better get-away for recharging the body and sparking the creative mind than time by the ocean. Or on the ocean. In a hut on stilts that comes with a window in the floor for 24/hr tropical fish viewing...Have a wonderful time!
The thing about leaving the internet behind, for me anyway, is after a week, I would have four hundred emails waiting for me. Seriously. And I'd never want to blog again. Taking a break from blogging is a bad thing, because it's really hard to go back to it. And that would be fine, except I've promised authors and publishers I'd read their books and publish interviews and guest posts. So, while I can leave my writing behind, I can't leave my blogging behind. I'm almost frantic when I visit my mom because she doesn't have Wi-Fi. I have to go to someone else's house for that to check my blog and email.
I do love your vacation spot!
Heather
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