As December of 2024 drew to a close, I found myself looking forward to a vacation. A staycation, actually, but time off from writing. 2024 was a busy, often stressful time for me. I'd written two novels, one of which was the first book in a new series, as well as a short story for an anthology. I'd done edits for four novels--the first book I'd ever written and three books that were republished--along with the edits for two of the four books scheduled to be republished in 2025. As I emailed DEATH ON DICKENS ISLAND to my editor, I drew a deep sigh of relief. Ahead was January 2025--a month of free time, rest and relaxation.
Of course I had some writing-related chores to attend to. Aside from my monthly blog and newsletter, I wanted to master BookBrush and Canva to some degree and venture into BookTok. I needed to arrange promotion for my mystery scheduled to come out in the fall, and I had to start plotting the two books due in 2025. But no writing.
I started arranging lunch dates with friends and playing with my kitties. I'd go shopping; stay up late reading and streaming show after show into the early morning. I'd be on vacation, sort of, and have time to unwind and give the creative workings a sorely needed rest.
And then they arrived--the edits for my middle-grade novel. On one level, I knew they'd be coming eventually, but did they have to come so soon? My editor was very pleased with the manuscript, but like all editors she had a few suggestions, suggestions that I agreed would enhance the book. And so, after a few days that I granted myself free of work, I set about rereading my manuscript and incorporating some of these suggestions. Alas, adding scenes to a completed manuscript is always more time consuming than writing daily pages.
What have I learned from my failed plans for an almost vacation? Often edits will arrive when you least expect them, along with other writerly obligations. And so I've decided to take vacation days here and there, whenever I need a break. And if things should get too crazy and I need more time to myself, I'll make use of the Out of Office card so many of us have received.
Hope you are able to use that card periodically. You’ve earned a few days off.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra. I've decided to take daycations from time to time. They're necessary in our writers' lives.
DeleteI feel your pain, Marilyn. The same thing happens to me EVERY TIME I think I'll have some breathing room.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why we must take off a day here and there. We often don't get any breaks since we can't control when edits will arrive.
DeleteI am a firm believer that we all need uninterrupted vacation time to make us more productive. Not necessarily a whole month, mind you, but a solid two weeks seems reasonable. There are very few writing chores that cannot be delayed two weeks, especially if you have let other interested parties know of your plans. Fingers crossed that you can get some good time off in the near future, Marilyn.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim. Your vacations always sound wonderful and I'm sure provide info for future books.
DeleteI ended up with emergency surgery (2 a.m. on a Sunday morning) not long ago. It took a while before my body & brain were working well enough to get back to any of my works in progress. Fortunately, I had no hard deadlines. And now, I'm setting off on a trip to Central America arranged before that. I hope to return ready to dive in again.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, Enjoy your trip! I'm sure you'll return eager to start writing again.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Marilyn. Isn’t it funny how edits always show up when you have other plans!
ReplyDeletethanks, Kait. yes, so true. I've received them during holiday weeks when I know publishing is shut down for the occasion.
DeleteYou're worth ethic amazes me. I truly hope that you claim that Old of Office notice every chance you can.
ReplyDelete