I'm back, after a week's hiatus, and it feels ssoooo goooood. *breaks into song* You'll be happy to hear I completed my (very) initial round of edits for Willow and sent them off to my editor, although she assures me she'll be winging back requested revisions shortly. Eeep! While I'm pleased with Willow overall, there are always things I can't see for myself and I LOVE those aha moments you get when editors read your work.
This week away from blogging -- especially after the frantic month that was April -- has been downright weird. It's the first time I've taken a break and not gone on vacation somewhere and it made me realise just how much of my time I devote to blogging. Suddenly, I had my evenings free! I could go out without worrying about how many comments I'd need to return the next day! I could have a life! (Well, let's not get carried away here.)
Don't get me wrong; I do love blogging and visiting blogs, and I missed everyone while I was gone. But I realise sometimes it is a good thing to step back and just be, without the whirl of social media. My week allowed me to recharge my batteries and plunge back in!
How often do you take blogcations? And how do you feel when you return?
I only really take blogifications when I'm away, but I only post once or twice each week, even though I do try to catch up with other blogs every day. I've no idea how you manage to post as often as you do, especially as your posts are always so good.
ReplyDeleteI'm back from a five week hiatus myself today and I've realized the same thing. It's kind of gross when I realized just HOW much time I invested into blogging and other blogs and how much I didn't have time for in the process. I love blogging and the people as well but I am definitely going to try and keep the balance more now.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the edits!!
Welcome back! I take breaks now and then, although I probably wait too late. I'm usually at the end of brain fry when I do so.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I take breaks rarely but I really, really should do more. I think what you've done makes a great deal of sense.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about stepping back. Teach me...I need to do it soon. Maybe after I'm finished with my rewrite and two PBs. Should be around the beginning of summer. Maybe that would really be the right time.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Happy you enjoyed your blogcation. I'd love to have some of your energy as I'm in awe of all that you do. We're going to Italy in late June so will pause a bit, but I don't post all the time, so pause is relative!
ReplyDeleteGlad you feel refreshed! You sure needed it. I love taking time away from blogs. It makes me feel human again! But I could never give it up. I always enjoy coming back to everyone when the time is over. I don't really schedule time off,as I sort of need to do it whn I have a ton of work. What I really need is to take time off when I don't have ANYthing else to do.
ReplyDeleteI've taken breaks but haven't gone anywhere so I usually troll blogs at night. I'm looking forward to really leaving the computer behind this summer when we finally get to the beach. Glad you're back, missed you!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a very organised person, so I blog like mad sometimes, and then let it go on a dry spell. Reason why neither of my blogs are where they should be despite being 3 years old, lol.
All the best for the edits :)
Daily (w)rite
Welcome back! I have taken breaks from posting, but not so much from commenting. The only time, I stepped away from blogging and the whole computer was when I had surgery on my feet. That was a strange feeling not even going near the computer. I enjoy bloggin because I have met so many wonderful fellow bloggers like you!
ReplyDeleteSmiles.
Glad you're back! I'm still a newbie blogger, really, so I don't know how long I'll manage before needing a break.
ReplyDeleteSeem to have hit the same spot too! It certainly takes discipline and then balance re: reading the vastness of it all out there!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, you were missed!
ReplyDeleteAnd you do have some good news about your second novel so Yay!
I don't know about blogcations, I just seem to have really long lapses when I don't keep up at all, either with my blog or other people's. Mainly, it makes me feel guilty. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I missed you all, too. Must admit it's good to be back!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Talli!
ReplyDeleteWell I have only just started the whole blogging thing, so I can't take a blogcation just yet. But it is good to have one once in a while.
I guess it's hard when you're as popular as you are, and you have a lot of people wanting to talk to you.
I have often thought about how hard you work with regards to blogging. As much as I also love it, and reading others (v inspiring), it can take the focus away from what you should really be doing/living life. Well done for making the break, it is difficult. Hope you feel refreshed! x
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I love blogging, but find it overwhelming sometimes. Working on being more disciplined with my time and taking regular breaks. Speaking of which, I'm thinking of taking one soon. Glad you had a good week! :)
ReplyDeleteI took the week off after April as well - and it was so good! I'm not really back to Friday but I agree - sometimes you need to step away for a bit. Welcome back :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back, Talli! I haven't taken time away from blogging outside of a couple weekends when I was busy. Think my wife and I are taking a trip soon, so I guess I'll find out what happens in my absence!
ReplyDeleteHahaha my life is a blogcation. I only blog when I feel like I have something to say, and rather than returning comments, I'm so lazy I just randomly click on blogs and comment them (I have a few favorites I always check). I don't mind if not many people comment my blog because I don't return comments--I'd rather people read it because they cared rather than because of an obligation to re-comment me ;)
ReplyDelete...or perhaps that's just justification for being so lazy.
Welcome back Talli!
ReplyDeleteI'm on blogcation right now - so I'm be ing... - the first since I started blogging last August.
Grandpa
Life on The Farm
It's important to strike a good balance, Talli, and I'm sure you do it well.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Back! A rested blogger is a happy blogger.
ReplyDeleteWELCOME BACK, TALLI! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that I missed coming over to your blog every weekday as I never know what you'll be blogging about.
Glad that you've sent WWW [great initials!] off to the editor & can now work on your next book! :)
But I know what you mean about taking a blogcation--I did for about 3 months! :)
Oh yes! I need to take more of blogcations, I think I'd get a lot more writing under my belt and that's where my focus needs to be. I always feel balance and rearing to go when I do take a break, definitely a necessity!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
Welcome back-- do you wish it would have been longer?
ReplyDeleteI have taken somewhat blog vacations over the past 2 Christmas seasons, but I always prescheduled posts and got online to make blog rounds during the vacations so it wasn't a total hiatus. For the next two weeks it will be the same. I plan to have my Monday posts, but may not make it to the other days of the week and will probably be very limited in my blog visits. I'm looking forward to some good quality time with my family.
Good luck with Willow
Lee
Tossing It Out
I have never done a proper blog breaks. In other words i have never said "not checking my blog or another blog for 3 days" or something along those lines.
ReplyDeleteI normally just take a break when i am away from the computer for days at a time.
even if i am super busy, i normally find a few mins a day to catch up.
I should really. Blogging is addictive.
sarah
Welcome back, Talli! I just got back from a vacation myself, and I have to admit that I did miss social networking, although not nearly as much as I missed writing!
ReplyDeleteI really miss the blog if I have to take a blogcation. My problem is that I'm so nosy I'm always worried I might be missing out on something! We're our own worst enemies, aren't we!
ReplyDeleteTalli, glad your time away refreshed you. I think we all need that.
ReplyDeleteI only publish 3 times a week so it's not as much of a scramble although guest blogs still take a couple hours to complete. When I'm not working on a guest blog, I'm working on filling my calendar. I try to use the off days for writing.
When I go to conferences I don't blog, but other than that, there is a blog article put up each pub day.
Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE
Welcome back! I don't take breaks as often as I should. It's amazing how much of social media is a time suck that takes away from valuable writing time (not that social media isn't valuable too!)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're back! And for the record, we all appreciate the time you take to return comments :) You're an amazing blogger and I'm glad you had some time away. I've never had a blogcation but wonder what it'd be like.
ReplyDeletei only ever take a break when we go camping and now i'm worrying as we have one of those dongle thingies which means that i COULD actually blog while away. eeeeeee what to do....X
ReplyDeleteI agree with every word. I think that, if you're blogging regularly, it becomes a routine. Taking a break from routines is always healthy and invigorating.
ReplyDeleteHey Talli, welcome back!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Talli! :) As much as we all love blogging, I have to admit that it is nice to take a blogcation once in a while. Then when it's over, it's easier and more fun to get back into the groove.
ReplyDelete~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
Hi Talli .. not often - but then the blog is my relief and cheer while my Mum is alive .. however as you say when I do have a break - even a day I feel different ..
ReplyDeleteGood for you for getting your first draft of Willow to your editor .. as you say good ideas, with some scissors in mode, too will come winging back .. but Willow is nearing completion .. well done!
Welcome back and PS did you get to see The Wedding at all .. other than on tv? Cheers Hilary
Thrilled you got through the edits. So glad you are refreshed. I have cut back on my blogging in-order to concentrate on my rewrite. It paid off.
ReplyDeleteNow I do not feel so bad about stepping back once in a while.
I have a a problem with staying away for both blogging and the visits. its terribly addictive.
ReplyDeleteLovely to have you back in the fold of blogging. Pleased you enjoyed your free time.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Welcome back, Talli! I do take blogcations, a couple of weeks off during the year, here and there. And I take a long hiatus every summer, over a month away from the blogs when things seem to really quiet down anyway. It's always great to come back just because of the renewed energy the break brings about.
ReplyDeleteTalli,
ReplyDeleteI've never really taken a lengthy 'self-imposed' break from blogging...but I have stepped back for a couple days here and there. I also don't write everyday nor do I have a schedule and I think that' helps because I'm not feeling the pressure to perform every single day.
But when I do that, I feel like the world has gone on without me and wonder if I was even missed...but then it takes me awhile to get back into the swing of everyone's lives; perhaps I'm just too nosey?
don't want to miss anything?
:)
I like that word. Blogcation. Just took one myself and am back feeling spiffy and ready to go. Hope you got some much needed rest!
ReplyDeleteYours is the second blog I've come across today where the writer took a little vacation and came back strong. Blog vacations do become necessary after sustained blogging like we've had last month.
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet, but I just decided to cut back on my blogging time in general. It's so easy to start blogging and lose track of time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got your recharge! Sometimes it's just necessary, I totally feel the same. :)
ReplyDeleteYay - you're back. I missed you :)
ReplyDeleteNot been on vacation yet - still in the honeymoon period :)
Yay!!! Welcome back Talli!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBlogcation!!???!!? I'm far too addicted!! LOL!! I need help!!! Take care x
Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteI take blogcations frequently. I LOVE blogging, but it's the first thing to go when I start getting crazy busy. Because I don't want to stop loving it, yanno? And I would if it felt like an obligation rather than something I enjoyed.
Congrats on finishing your initial round of edits :)
I think I'm always the last one here. That's exactly how I felt when I unplugged for two weeks. I love blogging and visiting and meeting everyone. But it takes much more time than we realize.
ReplyDeleteMy blog vacations of late have been more forced than of choice but I do have to agree that some time away is much needed in order to retain perspective and balance.
ReplyDeleteJai
I'm like Debs, I only take blogcations when I'm on vacation. It's a good thing. Helps me appreciate blogging, and helps me appreciate my time off.
ReplyDeleteI don't take enough blogcations! I miss everyone too. Glad you had a rest though.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back and feeling well rested!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you came by to 'see' me to find out if I was okay. I am, just frustrated. But I appreciate that you asked! Thanks.
Good community we live in no matter how far away we are.
Heather
I love blogcations! I love blogging, too, but sometimes I really do need to get away. I'm glad you enjoyed yours!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I take vacations, I blogcation too. Problem is I love blogging and if I expect comments, I have to leave them also. I have my favorite bloggers, (you being one) and so I squeeze in the time. Glad you're back.
ReplyDeleteI never needed to take an official break before A-Z as I only blog once or twice a week. I think I took one break before and was surprised anyone even noticed! Glad you're back, and I'm excited about Willow! Julie
ReplyDeleteI need one. but I know that while I'm gone, I'll feel like I'm missing stuff, so I'll still be thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we all need a break.
ReplyDeleteI popped in to give you the Stylish Blogger & Versatile Blogger Awards. Stop by my blog at http://joycelansky.blogspot.com tomorrow after 4:30 AM central time to pick them up. Some goofy rules come with them, but I'm sure you'll figure it out.
Joyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
When I take blogcations I end up feeling guilty because they always end up lasting too long.
ReplyDeleteBreaks are a must! Hard to come back, even loving the community and everything so much. Glad you had a nice(weird) time! Congrats on finishing up Willow and hope you hear some good edit news soon!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! We missed you!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of keeping the computer off when I get home, at least one or two nights during the week, but it was easier to do that when I was drafting - since I write longhand. Now that I'm supposed to be entering all my edits into the MS, I need the computer! And the internet is one click away......
I might take a blog holiday when we go on vacation this summer - I'm sure I'll be suffering serious withdrawal.
I just got back from my own month long blogcation and it was really nice. It made me see how much I was devoting to blogging too, and now I realize I have to cut back if I am ever going to try to get a book published and spend time with my family at the same time. Something's gotta give, and while I love the blogging community so much, I have to give it a back seat while I work.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!! Glad you enjoyed the week - and good luck with those revisions! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm obviously not as devoted to my blog as you are. Guess I don't have the time, but I do like to keep my feet in the water. Good luck with your new novel. I think it would be lovely to have edits from an editor to work on. Then my blog would really take a back seat!
ReplyDeleteMy whole first year was a blogcation! I think I posted only a couple of times the entire year. I totes get where you're coming from though. Sometimes blogging is tiring!
ReplyDeleteI have not posted consistently until just recently. I take long breaks at times. It can really eat into writing time if not careful.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got lots done!
I've been on a little break since last Wed. I had family stuff to take care of. I needed to clear my head after April so it was good. I will most likely hit 'all read" in my reader. The number beside new posts is a little overwhelming. Glad you feel re-charged.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Blogging does take up a lot of time. Sometimes I feel guilty about spending a lot of time on blogging, because I feel like I should be spending more time on my fiction writing or my graduate work. But on the other hand, blogging sometimes gives me ideas for my fiction writing. I've never really taken more than a week off from blogging (at least I don't think I have).
ReplyDeleteI'm always on blogcation because I only post every two weeks. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the revisions!
I just took 3 days off too. A traveling Flamenco troupe gave a performance in Helena. A first that I know of. It was wonderful for students to see and a first for most of them, too. Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to take a blogcation - I haven't done it yet but give me a little more time and I'll probably be needing one (I have two of my own and maintain the writing group one!).
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good week off. I'm always taking blogadays :-)
ReplyDeleteIt feels good to take a break. I didn't think I needed a recharge. After a week away, I feel energized.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back and can't wait to here more about Willow.
I take a blogcation every weekend. Then I spend Monday or Tuesday catching up.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a good one. It's nice to go out and see the world.
Blogification is like air, without it no one can survive.
ReplyDeleteWhen you return to blogging, this feeling is like... like resurrection.
Great to see you back! Glad you enjoyed your break, and congrats on completing your first round of edits for Willow! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Talli! WELCOME back!
ReplyDelete: )
Oh, I'd say I take more blogcations than I ought to... I do find social media to be very overwhelming at times and just need to keep all those cyber voices out of my head :) But you get out of it what you put in, that much is evident, so I guess I've had to content myself with the Monkey's lil' following until I am able/willing to give it more. You are clearly doing something right, and your attention to your commenters and other blogs is so impressive!
ReplyDeleteAh, and because life has been so insane this spring with travels and visitors and projects, I haven't gotten back to you on meeting up! I'll be in the States for the rest of this month, but maybe some time in June if your sheh-jule allows. - Colleen
It's great to see you back. April was kind of crazy wasn't it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with Willow, I can't wait to read it.
Loving the new look blog!
Love ya Mash!
ReplyDelete(Just had to say that).
I leave enough space between blogging that I have plenty of rest, in between. I think it's important to remember the real world one is in, too. Always enjoy your blog.
ReplyDelete