Jumping Back Into the Writing Groove
5 tips to get back into writing after taking a break.
If you’ve taken a break from your writing—whether it was a planned pause or a little detour like mine was after a quick trip out of town with friends—it can sometimes feel a bit tricky to get back into the swing of things.
But no worries, here are a few tips that have been helping me get back on track.
Read through what you've already written
Before jumping into new words, I like to spend a little time re-reading what I’ve written so far. This helps me reconnect with the story, the characters, and the energy I had when I last worked on it. It’s like reintroducing myself to the world I’ve created!
I will also say, when you are being hard on yourself and your writing, rereading can help you realize, “Huh, that doesn’t actually sound that bad.”
I feel this way with even some of my published books when looking back at how I progressed.
Set small, satisfying goals
Instead of jumping in with the pressure of hitting big word counts right away to catch back up to your goal or deadline, I’ve been trying to set smaller, more achievable goals (e.g., writing 500 words a day or sitting at my desk in the morning to attempt writing at all). This helps ease back into the process without feeling overwhelmed.
Plus, little wins add up!
Write a scene you’re excited about
If you’re struggling to get back into the flow, try jumping ahead to a scene or moment you’re really looking forward to writing. Sometimes it’s easier to get started when you’re excited about what’s coming next in the story. Even out of order words are words that push you further through your story and what you are trying to achieve.
Let go of perfection
Easier said than done, right?
After a break, I often feel a bit rusty, so I remind myself that it’s okay if things don’t come out perfectly at first. The goal is to get the words down and keep moving forward. Perfection can always come later during revisions.
Create a writing ritual or routine
Whether it’s lighting a candle, having a cup of tea, or listening to a specific playlist, creating a ritual can help signal to your brain that it’s time to write again. This simple act can make it easier to slip back into the creative zone.
Recently, I have been trying to get dressed right away in the morning so I have some time to sit at my desk to write this newsletter or some more of my project. It’s cozy with my lamp on and my coffee next to me and overall, definitely a help for me to find the writing “mood” again hopefully.
Happy writing!
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