I Stopped Writing My Science Fiction Novel"

I Stopped Writing My Science Fiction Novel"

It had been nearly a year since everything I did was somehow related to writing my science fiction novel. Every day, hours were spent seated in front of the desk with fingers charged across the keyboard and moving from one imaginary world to another-from far-off galaxies and futuristic cities to complex characters living in my head. The world turned into a fusion of technological juggernaut, space travel, and human drama. It was exciting but equally tiring. I began to feel that my novel was in charge of me rather than the reverse-that is why it became clear to me that it was time for a break.

The time-out from the writing process is like getting out of a moving train. I felt restless for the first three days, wondering what to do with myself. The characters would keep leaping into my head: where they would go, what kind of conflicts they would face. But I would not sit down to scribble them out. Instead, I focused on other parts of life that I had neglected.

I returned to nature in a big way. I live near a big park, but during the months I wrote, I hardly went there. I decided to take long walks every day, me and the trees. The freshness of air cleared my mind, and the physical activity gave me a sense of calm that I hadn't felt in ages. I didn't take a note or my phone. It was just me, and I let my mind wander. At first, it felt awkward, almost as if I was blowing off my writing time. Gradually, though, I began to realize the benefits.

Taking a step back helped me see my story from a new perspective. It's hard to do while writing to take a step back for an objective assessment of your work. However, a distance shows that not many of the plot points actually made any sense whatsoever. Some characters felt very flat, and I definitely needed to further develop them. I began scribbling down ideas without necessarily meaning to write them in the near future but just as if I was to finally return to my novel. I was still working on my story, just in a much more relaxed and creative space.

I also spent a lot of time in things I really enjoyed but forgot about: reading books; as I had discovered, it wasn't only science fiction but other genres, too. Movies, catching up on all the shows I had wanted to see some of. And baking again; something that I loved deeply until, with writing, it got overpowered. It kept refreshing me, besides giving ideas. While reading other stories, I saw elements that inspired me; I found joy in doing things unrelated to writing, so this balance was very important for me.

Honestly, stepping back from writing for a while allowed me to rediscover my passion for writing. The calls of deadlines and set goals had really consumed my drive to keep writing, causing me to forget why I started writing in the first place. It was after this step back, however, that the love of creating worlds and telling stories became a strong demand in my head. Writing is not necessarily achieving a final product, but more of a process of discovery for myself and my characters. That truth has only made me stronger.

About two weeks later, I was ready to get back to my novel. This time round, however, the mission at hand was approached in a very different mindset. I wasn't in any kind of hurry to end but rather wanted to experience it all again. I was working on sections smaller as I delineated the characters and worked to make the plot tighter. My writing was so much slower, but it felt so much more meaningful. I didn't write to get words on a page; I wrote to tell the story better.

One of the best decisions I've made so far as a writer is that mini-break from the sci-fi novel-to give me some space to recharge, reflect again, and find joy in the process again. Now each time I sit to write, it is the first time; I do so with renewed intent, and that much richer in story. It was more a step forward than a step back, really; I can now head back to my novel with fresher eyes and a stronger sense of the world I'm creating.