Writing Sabbatical: Take Time Off to Finish the Book You've Always Wanted to Write

Why Take a Writing Sabbatical?
Dust accumulates on the sprawl of writing books I've accumulated in the hopes inspiration is granted by osmosis. Practical obligations and a fondness for Grey's Anatomy and other t.v. eye candy infringe on my time and willpower to write a captivating bestseller. Lame excuses aside, when my husband, a professor of architecture, had the opportunity to teach in Barcelona for four months, I latched on like a leech, quitting my full-time job to indulge in a writing sabbatical. If you've ever wanted to take time off to write a book, take the plunge of a writing sabbatical.

What Happens on a Writing Sabbatical?
Fast forward to Spain. Caffeine comfort fuel provided by a cafe con leche slowly kick starts my sleep addled brain with my laptop dominating a tiny table at a coffee shop in Barcelona. Every day, I say a silent prayer of thanks, reflecting on how I almost passed up the chance to write abroad. As part of my Spanish writing sabbatical, I meander over to a cafe where I continue to write over a glass of cerveza, followed up by an afternoon siesta then re-caffeinate at a chai place for a two hour writing stint.

Invest in Yourself. Take Time Off to Write.
Do you feel if you had a dedicated block of time to write, you could complete the book you've always wanted to write? Taking an extended period of time off to write is liberating, allowing creative freedom, unfettered by concerns competing for your brain's attention. It's not an easy decision. I agonized for months. The extended amount of time is worth the sacrifice. Otherwise, I would have missed the additional adventures of sipping mint tea writing in Morocco or journaling while catching the sunset over the majestic beauty of the Alhambra in Granada.

How Can I Take a Writing Sabbatical?
A writing sabbatical is not as impossible as you think. Nowadays, people are yearning to work less and live more. Check out the popularity of Tim Ferriss' New York Times bestseller, The Four Hour Work Week which provides solutions for following your muse. Joan Anderson's A Walk On The Beach charmingly chronicles her writing sabbatical at a beach house in Cape Cod. Other blueprints for embarking on a writing sabbatical include Time Off For Good Behavior and Six Months Off.

Infinite Rewards of a Writing Sabbatical
The hardest part of taking a writing sabbatical is having faith in yourself. Don't take a writing sabbatical with the expectation you'll wildly profit. Do it for the love of writing. The benefits are unbelievable. I've extended my writing sabbatical to a second year and am making steady progress with my book. My joy is as abundant as the time available to spend with my husband and family while gaining a greater sense of self inspired by the ultimate dedication of rewarding my heart's desire.