Taking a Break

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As we head into November, I’m taking a two-month pause from blogging to work on some writing projects that I’ve not been able to focus on properly, and to consider the direction in which I want to steer my blog.

Almost all of October, I’ve been helping a fellow writer prepare for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) starting tomorrow. Although I don’t participate, I was involved in it many years ago when I presided over a writer’s group. NaNoWriMo is based on its founder Chris Baty’s book No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel In 30 Days. Its ISBN is 0-8118-4505-2 for anyone interested in finding the book.

Writing and publishing books has always been a hobby for half a century. And there was a time when my books were more popular than my art. But art was always my biggest passion and received all my attention until an accident and an operation made it difficult to continue my career. I suddenly had more time to write, which I could do from bed. But the medicine I take gives me “brain fog,” which hinders my writing. So, I’ve concluded it’s time to rethink and retool my writing process and find a pace that works well with my limitations. Therefore, I plan to have a new and improved 5-year plan in January to kick off the new year. I won’t be publishing as quickly as I want to, but that doesn’t matter. I believe in quality over quantity.

Thanks for joining me today.

I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween.

See you in January.

Steve, 10/31/2023

This post “Taking a Break” copyright © 2023 Steven Leo Campbell at stevecampbellcreations.com – All rights reserved.

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18 thoughts on “Taking a Break”

      1. Glad my intermittent blogging schedule didn’t cause me to miss this. I never realized how guilt ridden I’d feel by posting and not having time to reach out and respond to my followers. That demand has become too daunting to me. See you later!

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  2. I hope you have a wonderful productive break Steve!
    I’m thinking about taking a two week break soon myself. Have a great Halloween and Thanksgiving….well and Christmas!

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  4. Enjoy your break. I wish you better health. I have to burn some vacation for the end of the year, so I will have an opportunity to do more creative things as well. Looking forward to your blog after your break.

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    1. Thanks. I spent this morning drawing up plans for a daily writing schedule that will include WordPress and other online platforms in the mix but not interfere with my time writing fiction. Tomorrow I’ll look at making more effective work space. 🙂

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  6. I participated in NaNoWriMo many years ago and decided I would do it again this year as I had a decent outline for a new novel ready. However, when I went to check my e-mail I was getting 2 or 4 emails every day. I’m not dealing with any more. I will write at my own pace which is about a 1/5 of the NaNoWriMo pace per day.

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    1. Writing at my own pace works for me, too. I recall looking into the business long ago and reading about authors who spent a decade or longer writing a novel. Nowadays, that’s unheard of, especially in the field of self-publishing, and it shows by the large quantities of poorly written books in the marketplace. In this fast-paced digital age, I believe doing it slowly and with love and care is best for me, even when algorithms overlook me.

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  7. Sometimes I think nonwriters and artists don’t realise just how much time is spent thinking when being creative. I write and paint. The brain needs space to develop an idea. Too many external distractions driving away the thoughts process. Have a wonderful break and i look forward to learning more about your writing and art in the new year. Have a brilliant Christmas 🎄 too.

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    1. Thank you, Paula. As an artist and writer yourself, you understand how much time is spent in planning and creating. Sometimes, the overlap of writing and making art can be exhausting. And with the addition of life outside the two, vacations and holidays are blessings to have. I, too, wish you a very wonderful Christmas.

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  8. It’s good to step away to regather later with a better vision… Although for a scatter brain like me a 5 year plan for writing will be too long. I’m going to try reading that Nanonimo book to make some progress on my own writing goals. Happy writing to you~

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    1. You’re right, Careena, I have a better vision of my goals now. I’m glad I stepped away from my blog to regain my senses, despite reading and hearing that I would lose my followers’ interest in my blog while doing so. I don’t think that’s true. Anyway, good luck with your own writing goals, and may peace be with you.

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