Taking a Break: March Theme Jen Cervantes

Writing is joyful. It is wondrous. It is often times miraculous. But it can also be challenging and even painful.  And with so much energy flowing into our work, it’s no wonder we often need to recharge, to restore the soul so we can return to that which we love with a renewed vigor, a new view, a new spirit. But breaks can be hard when you're an impatient writer. My recent break is one of patience—not intentional as much as it is intuitive.  I recently finished a manuscript I’ve been working on for quite some time. It feels so good to type “end”, right? In the past, I would have given it a last good edit and sent it off to my agent excitedly, but this time it feels different. It feels sacred somehow and it’s not a matter of me not being done with the story; I don’t think the story is done with me. I’ve put it away and am letting it percolate. And in doing so, I feel empowered, restored and so grateful to have this “break” that feels as natural as writing. I guess I’ll know when the story is ready when it begins to whisper to me again, but for now, it needs more time and I am happy to oblige.