For those of you who might not know what this is, the Young & the Restless is a soap opera that's been on television longer than I've been alive. Yes, the storylines can be ridiculous (everybody's been married to everybody and people come back from the dead ALL THE TIME... and no, not as zombies), but I still tune in. I need this soap opera in my life. The ridiculousness of this one TV show somehow helps me balance out all the seriousness I experience in my day-to-day life, and I really need that balance.
For me, Y&R is the fastest and most enjoyable way to unwind after a tough day of writing. Even if I've missed an episode or two, it doesn't require brain cells to figure out what's going on. After an afternoon of staring at my WIP and contemplating different ways for people to die, nothing feels better than to curl up on the sofa with a mug of tea and find out what the back-stabbing, incestuous, poison-tongued residents of Genoa City are up to. It's a great way to decompress, to get out of my own head and just indulge in something utterly fluffy (because fluff is exactly what I try to avoid in my own work).
Having recently finished the first draft of my third novel, I've learned the hard way how necessary it is to seek balance, even in the midst of a draft. Being constantly consumed by a project has never helped me, and has, in fact, hurt me by causing me to slam right into the Burn Out Wall long before the book is finished. So now I know: when it's time to stop writing, it might also be time to stop thinking about writing. At least for a little while until my mind refreshes and I'm ready to go at it again.
It's those little breaks that keep me going all the way to The End.
How do YOU keep going? Do you take breaks too, or do you push hard all the way the through until you're finished?
23 comments:
I have a lot of breaks. They are all labeled FAMILY. My breaks from family are labeled WRITING, so thing balance out.
I'm with you on cranking up the musice, but I do it while driving with the windows down (yes even in todays 43 degree and raining weather). My husband hates that I do this, but oh well. He is a nonwriter and just doesn't get the need to cut lose from thinking in general.
Thanks for stoping by my blog today and commenting. And someone will inevidtibly think you went through your characters experiances. It is just human to assume such things, especially since not all fantasy readers are also writers. They just don't know the process of creating the way another writer does.
I start listening to soundtracks : GLADIATOR, THE LAST SAMURAI, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, STAR WARS, -- perhaps Josh Groban, Enya, or NIGHTWISH or LEAVES' END.
Then, I pull down a volume of my favorite poetry to fill my head with the flow of the music of words again. I read a passage or two from Roger Zelazny or Raymond Chandler or Robert B. Parker to remind me why I got caught up in the magic of creating my own world.
That usually re-charges me. Great post Jennifer.
Oh, we be twins with the dancing. Reggae for me, Sean Paul, Yah man!
First of all-I LLOOOOVVVEEE Y&R like a junkie loves crack. It's the one show I won't miss.
Second, I've found lately the more I push, the less I get done, so I have to steo back and take a break.
Wow, I had NO idea that Y&R was still on! I agree that finding a balance is important. I'm glad you brought up dancing, because it's been too long since I've had a crazy dance session (they're so great for tension relief). Don't tell anyone, but I love to crank up old Cyndi Lauper songs and rock out :)
Sometimes I think I take too many breaks, but the brain needs to step away before it turns to mush. I watch Grey's Anatomy reruns on Lifetime, I read, I crochet, I bake. When I really need to step off, I clean - but that's rare. (Which is why my house is covered in dust.)
Now I want to see you dance. That would be cute, wouldn't it? To have people post videos of themselves dancing in their kitchens?
I go through different TV shows to unwind. Right now, it's Dawson's Creek, which is totally making me feel like I'm thirteen again. SO much fun!
I love that song! I've never really watched the Young and the Restless but for awhile I was watching Days of Our Lives.
So must agree. Getting burned out never helps anything. Actually makes it 10x worse feeling like you failed or whatever. Love your ways of balancing!
I catch a movie, go window shopping, or clean up the house. Book browsing does NOT help balance. Made that mistake once!
Japanese School Dramas mostly.
lol
There, I said it.
I call it two worlds in my head. One is the world of writing that wants to work non-stop. The other is the world of mundanity and the need for calmness. I encourage it with frequent walks, yoga, spending time with my friends and loved ones, going to the cinema.
Jai
WOW!! I just wrote about these ideas in my past posts. I LOVE Young and the Restless as well (brings back memories of watching soap operas with my mom)! I take breaks by watching Gossip Girl, cleaning, and talking to friends. It is difficult for me to read with a clear mind because my internal editor won't shut up! Great blog :)
I take lots of breaks. This weekend I am taking a mini vacation with my husband with no kiddos. No laptop...nothing. Okay, I have to take a notepad for ideas that randomly pop into my mind, but other than that. Free time.
Definitely need the breaks. Sometimes they are self imposed and sometime, (most of the time) it's work that mandates the breaks. And when I get that rare occasion to chill on the couch, I love watching DVRed episodes of Jay Leno. I've heard Conan has started a late night show on TBS-so going to record that too.
What great ways to unwind! This is an area I need to work on a lot more. Hubby suggested we actually take time off over the Thanksgiving break and I had a small panic attack. Movies are definitely my downtime for now.
p.s. I was completely addicted to Days of Our Lives growing up.
Y&R? Really? My family insists on breaks. I mean they have to eat and apparently I am the only who knows how to make a PB&J. Or do laundry. They would starve and be naked without me.
I do the dancing thing too but not where anyone can see me.lol
I also am completely addicted to Vampire Diaries and Supernatural.
You guys CRACK ME UP. Japanese school dramas, Nevets? Not even gonna touch that one.
Em, I love reggae too!
I think what's interesting is that most people seem to outgrow their soap opera addiction. In high school everybody was watching something (Days was popular, as was Santa Barbara), but I'm STILL watching.
Angela, I should post a video of myself dancing... you'd lose all respect for me! :)
You can come over and clean my house any time you like! ;) I try to stay away from soap operas becasue of their addictive nature. Once you're in it's so hard to get out (for me anyways). Reading helps me a WHOLE lot -- quality, not pulp.
Yep! I have to take active breaks too. Either walks or treadmill. I love dancing too. If no one is home I'll crank up the tunes and boogie for as long as I can!
It's so refreshing!
Hey Jennifer - I love "shaking it", too. It's better for everyone when I'm alone, but it makes me happy as well. Glad you're able to enjoy your Y&R. Unwind time is good. =D
I LOVE this post! Y&R---bravo to you for admitting it. ;) I like to put on my mp3 and wash dishes, cook dinner, or go to the basement & work out when my brain starts shutting down.
Do you even need to ask? I WATCH MOVIES!!! I think that is like my universal answer for everything...
What do you do when you are upset: WATCH MOVIES
What do you do to take your mind off things: WATCH MOVIES
What is your favorite thing to do when not writing: WATCH MOVIES'
What's your favorite color?: WATCH MOO...Awww, snap. Caught me out there. No wait...The Color Purple! :-)
haha...anyway, all I can say is...Joshua Morrow. Mmmmm I've always loved him. Was hoping he would get out of soaps and hit the big screen. Ahh well.
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