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Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
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Recounting Cold Turkey

12/3/2016

19 Comments

 
Something peculiar happened to me this past May. My writing spark flickered and nearly fizzled out. An emptiness took over the place in my heart that used to sing every time my hands hit the computer keyboard.

I didn't know it at the time, but it was a warning for me. Not just to slow down... no. I had passed that yellow flag long before. Now it was time to stop. And I did. Cold turkey. No writing. No submissions.

I picked up my family and rejoined the elementary teaching ranks clear across the country. Moving to a new state with three children was all encompassing; no time to think about writing at all. And a funny thing happened as twenty-four little first graders surrounded my suppression. My passion for teaching and children just kind of took over. I reinvested myself in these 6-year old sponges, who soak up everything they encounter.

And then after about 3 months, ideas began to flicker. Not fast and furious like they once had. But at least they were still there. And that's all that mattered. I wrote a crappy picture book draft and broke through the rust on my brain. It's not completely gone yet, but I'm okay with not killing myself over too many writing activities. That's a big thing for a work-a-holic.

As one who has always preached, "Immerse yourself in the writing world," I hope you still will. But, please do it with lots and lots of breaks.

Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) is just around the corner, and yes, I am still alive and kicking. I'm quite excited about this research movement I founded three years ago. We moved into our new blog home last April and have since expanded the family. Together with Kirsti Call, Janie Reinart, and Keila Dawson, we will usher in ReFoReMo 2017 when we announce our author-educator team in January. Registration will open February 15, as usual, and the challenge will begin on February 27 this year.  And that's no cold turkey.
 
If you haven’t joined us in our new blog home yet, you will find the challenge at http://www.reforemo.com. It’s good to be back!
19 Comments
Charlotte Dixon
12/3/2016 04:15:47 pm

Great blog post, Carrie. I put myself on that down time several times a year. I need to step back and do other things. However, I never walk away from my love of writing for very long. I'm looking forward to ReFoReMo 2017! My critique group and I still have you on our shoulders as we work through our ideas. Wishing you, Kirsti, Janie, and Keila a delightful 2017! Thank you for all you do.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:15:13 pm

You are welcome, Charlotte! Thanks for reading and for your comment.

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Sheri Radovich
12/3/2016 04:27:52 pm

Carrie,
This was so helpful and I wish I was still teaching those little ones mostly to listen to their dialogue and expressions, everything else I was overwhelmed with at the time and didn't write at all. Now I have the time I will write what I remember as I am emerging from a slow writing period of time.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:17:55 pm

Ahhh, well... it's not easy to find the time while teaching, but I do it when I can and feel inspired to do so. It feels so good to be okay with that pace for now. Best wishes as you emerge more!

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Penny Parker Klostermann link
12/3/2016 05:12:24 pm

Carrie,

I sometimes think the workaholic in those of us who are workaholics can be to our detriment. I can relate to your post. My husband kept telling me I was going to burn myself out and that I needed to take more breaks because I was literally on my computer from sun up to bedtime. I was either writing or doing writing related things and not really living. I didn't believe him and I just pushed full steam ahead until I finally did burn myself out. So I turned of my FB notifications except for key groups (like my crit group) and backed off of some of my blog reading. It helped. And I'm trying to live life more. Because truly that's how we get our best ideas.
I'm so glad your ideas are beginning to flicker and that you're surrounded by those wonderful first graders.
Your advice about breaks is SO important.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:20:18 pm

I can so relate to the sun up to bedtime thing, Penny! Glad to hear you found more of a rhythm for yourself, as well.

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Lisa Rogers link
12/3/2016 05:45:28 pm

Great to have you back, Carrie! It's certainly hard to teach and write, yet it's true that being with those for whom we write can be really inspiring! Best wishes for the new year, and looking forward to ReForReMo!

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Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:20:56 pm

So am I, Lisa! Thanks for reading and commenting!

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Kaye Baillie
12/3/2016 06:30:13 pm

Thanks for sharing this, Carrie and I'm so looking forward to spending time with you in February. I've allowed myself downtime lately and I'm enjoying it. I fiddle with little edits on existing stories but am not pushing myself to write anything new till next year. I realised I needed headspace to do satisfying things like tidying boxes in the garage and get them ready for when we move house. I actually feel a bit exhausted from trying to write every day for what is probably the whole year.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:23:48 pm

I love setting goals for myself, but I tell ya, it feels so good to just let things happen at their own pace. Writing everyday just doesn't work for me right now, but if I could, I would for sure! Looking forward to ReFoReMo and seeing you around more, Kaye! Thanks for reading this post!

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Virginia Manning link
12/3/2016 07:00:18 pm

I had a somewhat similar experience this year. It's been a tough year for me and my family. My father died on Mother's Day and my mother has not handled his sickness or his death well at all. All the turmoil definitely impacted my writing. But this October I started teaching in a preschool for the first time. I LOVE being around the small children and they are definitely inspiring me! I'm learning so much from them! Good luck, Carrie! I'm glad to hear life is turning around!

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:25:25 pm

Sorry to hear about your father, Virginia. Maybe your mother would also enjoy being a volunteer reader in your preschool classroom? They do bring so much joy.

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sue Twiggs
12/3/2016 11:12:09 pm

I've been in a dry spell for a couple of months because of a 6 month moving process. i'm looking forward to starting off in the new year. i hope some of these new experiences will fuel manuscripts to come. I am enjoying reading!!

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:27:03 pm

Hooray for reading! Moving is so stressful and time consuming. We are still not 100% settled and will be moving again sometime within the next 6 months as we search for a house. I am not looking forward to that, but I will roll with the punches.

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Karla
12/4/2016 03:29:55 am

Carrie - thank you for posting this and reminding us that it's ok to step away sometimes. I find that I so often keep pushing myself to 'stay in the game' and it becomes increasingly more and more frustrating until I end up killing any fresh or exciting ideas. I needed this excellent reminder.

On a separate note - thank you for taking on such a important role. Teachers (and education in general) are a society's most valued resource. It is an incredibly challenging job but immensely important. Thank you for your contribution.

And congratulations on the exciting new changes in your life! K

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:28:58 pm

I do feel that teaching is a calling for sure. I didn't think I would return to the classroom, but I am glad I did. Someday, I would love to write full time again, though, and teach kids through school visits!

Reply
Carrie Finison
12/6/2016 08:47:01 am

I'm glad your getting your spark back. It's easy to get burnt out on all the tasks we *think* we have to get done in a day. You've had some huge changes in the last year - ones that take time to settle into. Just keep paying attention to those little sparks and they will grow back into a bright fire inside.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
12/6/2016 10:29:57 pm

Thanks for the encouragement, Carrie! It's great to see you here and I hope everything is going well for you.

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Lauri Christopher Meyers
5/31/2017 09:14:59 am

Me too Carrie. I did write, but not as many projects. I stopped trying to keep up with all the kidlit activities. Even though writers aren't butterflies, we all need a little chrysalis break before emerging as a new type of writer .

Reply



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    Carrie Charley Brown

    As a children’s writer, and a teacher, my goal is to help you carry on.  Sometimes learning is challenging, so why go it alone?  Your journey will be more meaningful and comfortable with friends to share it with. Together, we'll get up close and personal with authors, illustrators, and the best of picture books.  If we work together, great things will follow! 

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