Writing is a frustrating and exhausting occupation. There is no formula for good writing. When it happens, it happens. When it does not happen, you just sit helpless at your desk, trying to grasp the right words, the right phrases. You can see those words and phrases at a distance, floating in thin air. But they will not come to you, no matter how hard you try.
And it is at times like this, that you need to take a vacation. Mind you, I said vacation and not a trip. The main difference between a vacation and a trip lies in the fact that a trip has a purpose. You go somewhere on a trip because you want to visit some place, or see something. A vacation, on the other hand, is a stretch of time that you do not plan anything for. You go somewhere and you just take time off from everything, every routine of life. You get up when you want; you go out when you want. There is no pressure on you to go around and see things and taste the local cuisines or shop for the local specialties. You do those things only if you want to. In an ideal vacation, even if you choose to stay in bed all day, just reading a book, or even staring at the ceiling, it should not be a problem.
Writers need vacations. If you are a writer, this year make sure you take a vacation or more, especially if you are stuck in the middle of a work. Don’t say that you will finish this work and go. No, get up; pack your bag and leave. Let us see why it is imperative for a writer to go for a vacation.
You get to meet new people
A good writer draws inspiration from his or her own life. Out on a vacation, you get to meet various kinds of interesting characters. Sometimes you do not follow the language they speak. But observe them. Observe every minute detail of their personality; their body language, their tone of speaking, their voice and then imagine in your head what they can be talking about. Observe them carefully and you might just stumble across a brilliant character for your next book.
You get to know stories
Good stories can inspire a good piece of literature. Once you are out for a vacation, you have the chance of hearing and learning about various stories. You meet people and sometimes they open up to you and tell you their stories. You also get to know the stories about the place- the intriguing amalgamation of history, legend and myth that a place carries with itself.
You don’t need to run after deadlines
While you are on your vacation, no one is going to chase you with a deadline warning. Writer’s often compromise on quality for quantity. Not entirely their fault though. They also need to make money for sustenance. But in your vacation, switch off your phone and do not check your mails. Cut off from the world. You need this. Once you are back from your vacation, you will have plenty of time for other people. This is your time. So spend it well.
A good way to start a new book
You know that feeling right? How hard it is to actually start writing a book? You sit at your desk with a pen and paper or a laptop, for hours but nothing comes out. To get over the starting block, just take off and go for a vacation. Carry a pen and paper with you and whenever you feel like writing something, just scribble it down. It does not need to be coherent or in order. If you understand it, that is more than enough. A new place is always a good place for a new beginning.
You deserve it
And finally, you should take more vacations this year simply because you have worked hard enough and you need to take time off. So pack your bags over the next long weekend and run away to someplace close by. Enjoy and bask in your solitude.
Image credit: Gareth Williams on flickr and reproduced under Creative Commons 2.0[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://writingtipsoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/215888_10150217537488939_1231540_n.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Abhinanda Banerjee is a full-time freelance writer and stage actor. She’s an avid reader, culinary enthusiast, and lover of everything about the sixties.
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