There are times in a writer's life when writing just isn't possible. We all have real life to contend with, and it is very good at throwing the nasty and unexpected at us--situations that eat up time and emotional resources and need our undivided attention. It happens to all of us, full time and part time writers alike. Whether you're out subbing in a classroom for 3 months, moving, or dealing with a difficult family situation, do not feel guilty about the time needed to get through your real life distraction. Give yourself permission to do what you need to do.

However, there comes a time to recover your writing. Sometimes we need space after difficult circumstances before we pick up a pen again, but there's a fine line between breathing room and procrastination. Once you cross that line, it becomes harder to return to the writing life, and it keeps getting harder each day that goes by. And often that line is closer than you think, especially if the circumstances that dragged you from it took a long time to sort through. The writing habit becomes replaced with the TV habit or some other activity, and it becomes a battle to reestablish yourself as a writer. If you were in the midst of a number of projects, particularly book projects, you may even feel lost and have difficulty finding a starting point.

Begin small. Establishing your writing habit the first time probably required baby steps. Recovering that habit will require the same small steps and patience. If you're in a crit group or workshop, begin by critiquing someone else's work. Get in touch with that writer's instinct again, Renew your love for the words and story telling. Then choose your first piece to revise. Choose carefully. Make it something you love and something short. Picking a piece close to the polishing stage is probably a good idea too. Nothing can be more discouraging that seeing your worst work--and we all have to admit that those early drafts can be appalling.

When you're ready to pick up a larger project, particularly a book, read what you revised before. This will help you get back into your story and rediscover the story's voice. Scan through the pages waiting for revision to refresh yourself on the plot and renew your acquaintance with the characters. Re-immerse yourself in your work. Not doing so can leave you feeling lost or make more work for you later as you try to blend two very different voices for the same project.

If you find yourself blocked or struggling, back up a step. Sometimes we need to stay at an easier stage longer to get comfortable again. Work on something every day. Shuffle through your pieces until you find something you can work on. Whatever you do, don't quit without making progress on at least one piece. Even if it's "just" a short poem, it builds confidence and helps recover your writing. Soon enough you will be working on new words, revealing new stories.

Any recovery takes time. It requires exercise and rehabilitation. Just as if was a slow process to develop a writing habit in the first place, it can be a slow process to recover one. We may even find ourselves revisiting old insecurities and issues we thought we settled the first time around. The key to recovery, just as it was when training ourselves to write daily, is to not give up.