Writing can be very fun at times, though often the process is hard, gruelling work. I’ve written books that I sailed through, eighty thousand words in thirty days, sorry humble brag. Though, as with my current novel, I have struggled to get the words down.

I flew to England recently, traveling from Germany to celebrate my twenty-third birthday before returning to move into my first flat.

In those two weeks, I was unable to find any time to write. What I found in those two weeks was the break was a wonderful chance to settle my mind, to gather my thoughts, and get a better sense of my plot.

I’m so used to finishing one book and then rushing into the next one that I very rarely take a moment to breathe and enjoy the moment of victory.

Taking a break allowed me to see that the pacing was off, that I spent very little time allowing the little moments to develop the characters, and too much time trying to rush to the next plot point before I ran out of my targeted word count.

I have always believed that it is important to get the rough draft down as quick as possible, but in taking a break, I was able to see that this approach doesn’t always work.

So, what would I suggest to an aspiring author who is struggling to get through their manuscript? Simple. Take your time, and remember to breathe.

It’s easy to try and speed your way through your work, but taking a moment to collect your thoughts, to re-read your current plot threads and fine tune the direction they are moving in, can lead to a much better story.

Take a week off, and just allow yourself to recharge. Trust me, you’ll feel all the better for it, and you will ensure yourself a lot less work in the long run. Now go put your feet up, put on some music, and just take a break.