As you might have seen from my post last week, I’ve been not writing or reading, or doing much of anything writing-wise. There’s been hiking and beach days, bee stings and campfires, and knot of guilt that I’m not working hard enough or fast enough and somehow taking a break is going to ruin my chances at literary stardom forever.
Obviously, this is total hogwash. But the fear strikes me at random times, when I’m lounging in a hammock or eating my tenth roasted marshmallow. I’m sure it’s a product of my millennial upbringing, my own perfectionist tendencies, as well as a true joy of creating. I want to be writing and making and doing. But also, I am tired.
I’m a mom, I work a full-time job, and I write books. That’s a lot. Eventually, my well of creative gumption is going to fall below some critical point and my ability to produce quality things will dry up. Not forever, of course. But perhaps for a month or so.
I used to get real anxious about this. But I think, personally and collectively, we’re doing a better job of recognizing the reality of burn-out as well not condemning it as some moral failing. Rather, we see it coming and take steps to mitigate it, so our recovery in quicker, smoother, and truly restorative.
And so, after a very productive spring, I knew my summer would fall off a bit business-wise. Partly because our schedule is packed with trips and adventures. But also because a few of my projects have all come done at once. The season is a natural finish line, with school ending, the weather changing, our cultural activities shifting from inside to out.
The timing is ideal to step back a bit and - most importantly - not feel guilt about it. I can be productive in other ways, rather than word counts. When its drizzly and cold come winter, I can cuddle up in my office and type. For now, I’m following the natural order of things and getting out into the sunshine, mosquito bites and all.
Here is a picture of a boreal toad I saw on a backpacking trip. I guarantee he never feels a sense of urgency to answer emails or make reels. May we all embrace the toad lifestyle. (This was up at nearly 5000’ elevation. I never expected to see one that high!)
My first book, Archer 887, is a 2022 Indies Today Awards Contest Finalist, and is on sale now through online book retailers. Pick up a copy, leave a review, and let me know what you think!
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Installments from my full-length fantasy novel, The Lost Hero, post each Saturday, for paid subscribers only. I am also on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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