I am a strong proponent of establishing and keeping a writing practice. I am an equally strong advocate for taking a break from it. Rest is needed, no, required.
Some of best writing occurs during and after 5 Habits to Kill Apathy in Your Ministry. I spend time with God. I write to and about Him in my journal. I read poetry, fiction, a collection of essays. I join in worship with friends and family at church.
Other people’s words swirl around me. They eddy around my feet, tickle my toes. My own words start to bubble up, up, up…Water turning to champagne. Spilling onto, off the page.
Some of my other writing happens as I embrace an odd, almost accidental sort of rest—mowing the lawn, going for a run. My mind loosens as I leave the screen behind me. Thoughts, like atoms, start to collide. The collision produces, if not a new element, a new way of looking at things.
Other times, I gather visuals to perhaps be used at a later date. I never know if they’ll make it to the page, but I collect them anyway. Nothing is ever wasted. Everything is beautiful, even if it’s only seen and recorded by me. I give thanks for these little things.
Today: A baby rabbit, no larger than my hand, darts ahead of me on the sidewalk. I trace its path. It can’t seem to figure out the way to freedom. I tell it to turn right, cross into the field. When it does, I rejoice. The sight cheers me, lifts my heavy heart for a moment.
I get home and write a poem, not about the rabbit, but about moon-glow and lamplight. The poem worked itself out while I was studying the rabbit. It’s time to write it, let it settle a little, then edit it some more before launching it into the world.
Need a break from the writing? Take one with Write Right. She offers great advice (and directions) in her journal for the writing life. Find it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1AJgAdm.