The Power of Stepping Back: How a Two-Week Break Sharpens Your Edits

Congratulations! You finally put those golden words, “the end” on your first draft. Well done. What you have done is challenging. I’m proud of you. Now you may feel the urge to jump right into editing. Not so fast! Take some time to celebrate this accomplishment and take at least a two week break from your story. Here’s why taking a break after writing your story will improve your editing process.

1.     Gain Emotional Distance

After spending months immersed in your story, you are too close to it to see its flaws. You have grown attached to ideas, characters, scenes, even phrases that may not serve the story as well as you think. The emotional connection you had with your story was important even vital when you were writing your first draft, but it can hinder you here. When you edit, you need the emotional distance of a reader. It will be easier to spot issues like plot holes, character inconsistencies, cause and effect breaks, and world building issues. You will be able to make tough decisions like removing a character or a subplot that was fun but doesn’t serve the story because you are more detached.

 2.     Avoid Burnout

After completing a draft, you deserve a break. Writing is hard work and diving straight into editing can lead to burnout. Burnout stops creativity in its tracks. It makes it harder to focus. It takes the fun out of writing. Taking a break ensures that you avoid exhaustion and writer’s block. You can return to your story refreshed and renewed creativity.

3.     Get a Creative Recharge

Writing can be emotionally and mentally draining. A two week break allows you to recharge. Plus you will still be thinking about your story but in different ways so to experience your world in different ways. It’s a way to refuel so that you can edit with enthusiasm and new insights.

What To Do During Your Break

Here are some productive activities that can get your creative juices flowing without diving straight into editing. These activities will challenge you to think about your story in a different way. They will engage your senses when you think about your story.

1. Physical Activity

Engage in activities your characters do like hiking, dancing, swimming, or fighting. I don’t encourage you to go out and get into fights but a beginners class online in karate might be fun.

2. Get Outside.

Immerse yourself in a similar setting your character’s might be in, like the mountains, by some water, or in the city. Find a place to take a walk in those settings. Go camping. Feel what it’s like to be in those environments.

3. Pinterest Board

Create a board for your characters or world. It’s a fun way to engage with your story visually. Here is an example of a Pinterest Board I made of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. It gives you a feel for what the characters would look like, what the setting would look like, and the tone of the book. https://www.pinterest.com/elsejay/mistborn-character-and-world-board/

4. Soundtrack

Make a playlist that captures your story’s mood. Let the music immerse you in the tone and world of your book.

5. Listen to Podcasts

Listen to genre-specific podcasts for fresh ideas and perspectives. Google Podcast for [your specific genre] writing. Tons of suggestions will pop up. Think of this as collaboration. Remember you are the god of your story but input from others can help enhance your own ideas.

6.  Character or World Art

Draw rough sketches of your world or characters, regardless of artistic skill. You don’t have to show anyone.

7.  Map Drawing.

Sketch a basic map of your world to visualize the geography. This is so fun. You are drawing out a world here.

8. Social Media.

Tell people you are writing a book. Your first post can be why you wrote this book. You can give them sneak peaks at what your story is about. You can engage your audience with your art/pinterest boards/playlist. You can keep them updates on your progress.

9. Go to Your Local library.

Having someone doing the same thing right alongside you helps you persevere. Local libraries in the USA are great places to find other writers in your area that can help spur you along and you can help others write their story.  

10.  Read Comp Titles

Read books similar to your story to expand your understanding of genre, themes, plots, characters, and tone. It’ll inspire you for marketing later!

Avoid During Your Break

Remember, this is a time to step back. Avoid writing or editing your story directly. Engage with it differently, but give yourself that space to recharge.

Take that break. You have earned it. Enjoy the break. But also be intentional with it. Enjoy getting to know your story with your different senses. Allow yourself to be recharged. Please don’t feel the need to do everything that I have suggested. Pick one or two that really reached out to you and fill up your creative cup.