Time Out for A Writer’s Soul

by Danielle Buffardi @ Horrible Sanity

When writers write, we need a time out. This can be a quick five minute run to the kitchen for a cup of tea or coffee. It can also mean taking a few hours off from your current assignment to run an errand, go sit outside for some fresh air and inspiration, or taking the entire weekend off to find new ideas to write about. Whatever your preference for your time out is, it’s an important part of being a writer.

Taking some time to yourself will not only provide you with new insight into your writing, but it will also refresh your soul so that you AND your writing become one. No, I’m not trying to get spiritual here. I’m simply pointing out that it’s good to walk away from the desk once and a while.

Writers are often couped up in their office daily. Whether that office is a huge circular room loaded with bookshelves that touch the ceiling, or its your laptop on your kitchen table…an office is an office.

I realized the importance of ten minute mini breaks when I started college. Considering that English was my major for both my undergraduate and graduate degree’s, you can rest assured that I did LOTS of reading and writing. Those long assignments warranted a break for sure. And after trial and error of alternating long and short breaks, I found that for myself, it was best if I took a ten to fifteen minute break once every hour or hour and a half. Simply to get up, stretch, grab a drink, check email…whatever. Just to get away from my books for a few allowed me to return to them with wider eyes.

Do you have a time out ritual when you write? Tell me about your habits for renewing yourself and your writing. I love learning new styles on how to relax in between writing.