I just moved.  Spent the last month packing up a house after eight years in one place and moved.  Eight years of accumulated crap that had to be sorted through, boxed up, and taken to a new home.  Now I’ve got boxes upon boxes littering every corner of my new home as I begin the arduous task of unpacking.  As a result of all this mayhem, I’ve done little writing (and for awhile, no writing).

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Beginning writers are often told how they have to write everyday, and there’s a good reason they are told that.  Too often, wannabe writers never sit down and actually write.  They never learn the self-discipline it takes to begin and then actually finish a novel.  But once you develop that skill, it can be a good thing to step away from the daily writing regimen for a little bit.

In this case, of course, I had no choice.  My life is too consumed by moving right now to have much time for anything else (man, I can’t wait to eat something home-cooked again).  Still, time off is time off, and it can be inspiring in a way we often forget.

I’m talking about distance.

Now, I don’t know about you, but for me, oftentimes a little distance from a problem will help me discover a solution far better than hours of consciously mulling it over.  It’s one of the main reasons writers give the advice to put a finished manuscript in a drawer (virtual or otherwise) and ignore it for a month before trying to revise.  Distance is important. So, I had a few “a-ha!” moments while away from my writing, in which I figured out how to fix some issues with the latest Max Porter mystery.  Not only does this solve the issue, but now I’m excited to get back to work because I have a plan of attack that should prevail.

Distance also provides us with a rejuvenating break.  That’s a big part of what vacation is all about.  Get away from the daily grind, the stress producing life, and relax.  Let your body and mind just check out for a little.  Then, when you return to your work environment, you’re ready to go with a fresh (hopefully positive) attitude.

Writing is no different here.  Yes, I love getting up and creating stories, but it’s still work.  It’s not back-breaking work but it is mind-taxing and, since I need to sell books in order to do a few simple things like eat, there’s always a layer of stress hanging on my shoulders.  Being forced to take a break and shift my stress from writing to moving has been helpful in that it was like a mini-vacation.  Not as relaxing as a trip to the mountains but a good change of pace, change of scenery, and change of routine that’s reawakened my excitement to be back at my desk typing away the day.

Even though I’m still living out of boxes, my mind is percolating with ideas.  Some of which I’ll be sharing with you over the coming months.  Some will have to simmer for a lot longer before I can figure out what to do with them.

So, the next time life interferes with you and you can’t get to the thing you love to do, don’t let it get you down.  Often that time away is just what you need!