A week without writing. Harder than it seems.

I don’t take a lot of vacation time. You see, I work part-time at my library, so every week is like a little vacation. And I write, which I love, making my work feel like the greatest pleasure. However, hubby gets 4 weeks vacation every year. We try hard to take time off as a family. Typically, we go down south for a week in January and we play it by ear in summer.

We just finished our summer vacation week with the kids. It was a stay-cation. For the whole week, I promised myself to leave writing alone and refresh myself, taking time out with the family. Just one little week. Easy peasy.

Right?

Wrong.

I come to you now, much as a nerve-rattled smoker who is suffering withdrawal. My hands are shaking and there’s a queer feeling in my tummy. By the end of the week, I was trying to find little ways to get hubby and kids out of the house, just so I could reread a passage and keep my mind fresh. It’s only been 7 odd days, and I feel I’ve lost touch with my WIP. I couldn’t even remember where I left off.

I missed writing so much. It became clear during my “vacation” that writing is simply what I am meant to do. It’s my vocation and I suffer without it. I guess that’s a good thing, knowing you love your career so much you don’t want to take time away from it. God only knows, I never felt that way about taking time off from other jobs. You couldn’t get me out of the building fast enough.

So am I writing this week? I won’t be able to do much, as I’ve taken on some extra shifts at the library, thus my pain continues. Hopefully I’ll be able to sketch out a scene or two. My publisher asked me the other day when Gemini Island Shifters 3 would be ready. Soon, I say, soon…I have a mysterious tiger shifter visiting Gemini Island in this one, and a little lynx woman who is none too pleased to see him. If I don’t finish their story, I will go insane.

Don’t get me wrong. I love spending time with family. However, I won’t lie and say I’m not excited to see the boys go back to school soon. Mummy time is important too.

And I can’t wait to get back to work!