Steph’s Scribe’s Sabbatical

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Yesterday, I posted that I might need to quit writing. After examining that statement more closely, getting a good night’s sleep, and reading aloud what I had written, I realized how incredibly sad that sounded to me. Additionally, during the day, I received texts and messages and comments on the blog from friends and supporters who might have been a little worried about my rather depressing state of mind. In a moment of exhaustion and confusion, I wrote something that may not have been entirely true, so let me clarify.

I will probably never quit writing. How could I?

I’ve been doing it since I was 13, and it’s always been a passion of mine.

But sometimes that passion can get the better of you, especially when you work really hard and the results aren’t exactly what you were hoping for.

That said, and not one to let a little disappointment guide my fate, what I do need to do is take a little time away from it all…from the books, from the promotion (especially), and from life as an independent author and the everyday obsession that it has become.

I need to reevaluate. Just like they do in business or politics or any meaningful endeavor. I need to see what’s working and what’s not.

To be completely honest, it’s not really about the blog so much; I actually thoroughly enjoy blogging. But I was getting tired of blogging about book promotion, as it is rarely rewarding. The life of an independent author takes some real grit—and I’ve had that grit for the last 6 years—but now I have to reexamine my author status and figure out my next move…the next step…the next journey in my writing career.

So, at the encouragement of some very dear and well-meaning people, I am going to take a sabbatical to figure this thing out. Today is July 18; my birthday is August 16. Therefore, I’ve decided that my birthday gift to myself is to take some time away, decompress a bit, spend some time with my kids and family, and take some long walks where clarity usually comes into play.

When it’s your life’s dream to tell stories, write fiction, and be an author, it’s not something that you can let go of easily. So maybe I don’t have to; maybe I just need to stay patient and trust the journey. Refocus. Embrace creativity in a different way.

Thanks to those of you who have read my books, read my blog, attended book talks and book signings, and offered advice and support for these last six years. Your support means a great deal to me, and I probably don’t express that enough.

So thank you.

I don’t want to let you down any more than I want to let myself down.

Everyone needs a break now and then. I just need mine now.

You will hear from me again.

Stephanie Verni is Professor of Business Communication at Stevenson University and is the author of Inn Significant, Baseball Girl, and Beneath the Mimosa Tree. Along with her colleagues Leeanne Bell McManus and Chip Rouse, she is a co-author of Event Planning: Communicating Theory and Practice, published by Kendall-Hunt.