Paused between takes. The story’s still unfolding. What began as a therapeutic and creative outlet slowly turned into a source of pressure. Writing—once my safe space—became another item on my to-do list, tangled in deadlines, algorithms, and constant promotion. The joy faded, and burnout crept in. I’ve loved writing since I was a child. I started because I wanted to share pieces of my life through fictional stories—stories with meaning, heart, and a twist. But as I grew, certain topics no longer resonated with me. I wasn’t ashamed of what I’d written before, but I wasn’t in that place anymore. The ideas stopped flowing, and I didn’t know what to write next. That in-between space—between who I was and who I was becoming—was uncomfortable, confusing, and creatively paralyzing. So, I stepped away. A break to shake off the pressure. A break to rediscover the joy. A break to live. A break to figure out where my writing journey is truly headed. How Did I Get to that Point? At first, handling the business side of writing felt exciting. I knew how to promote my books, ride the wave of trends, and build content across platforms. I had momentum—speeding full steam ahead. But doing everything right didn’t guarantee the success I had pictured. Slowly, that drive began to fade. Writing didn’t feel like a creative outlet anymore—it felt like a job. And not the kind you wake up excited to do. Writer’s block set in and I felt that I lost the drive, the will, and the overall talent I used to become a self-published author. I found myself in a creative drought, stuck in the ebb, unable to reach the flow. I wanted to do anything but write.  The Break Eventually, I shut my laptop and gave myself permission to rest. Real rest. Not productivity-masked-as-rest. I tapped into things I hadn’t made time for in years. I remembered how I came up in the “Team No Sleep” era—where hustle was glorified, and rest was weakness. But the true inspiration for my writing? Life. Real moments. Quiet moments. Not constant output. One month turned into three… then six… then nine. Still nothing. No new stories. Just a growing list of hobbies and reasons to not return:
I wanted more. More genres. More truth. More growth. The Growth Part I let those old stories sit. Maybe I’ll return to them—maybe not. And that’s okay. I started thinking about what I love to read: horror, self-help, true stories of resilience. Why couldn’t those stories be part of my portfolio? I explored what it would take to write compelling narratives in those genres and quickly realized—I’m not ready to jump back into late-night writing sessions. And that’s okay too. I reminded myself: I chose self-publishing for the freedom. Yet, I’d been depriving myself of that very thing. So, I went back to resting. Unapologetically.  Where Am I Now? Less Pressure More Freedom These days, I’m rebuilding. Slowly. Intentionally. I’m allowing myself to wander creatively without pressure. I read articles for a few minutes, then switch gears. I journal when I feel inspired, but I don’t force it. I’m learning not to burn out the spark before it becomes a flame. I no longer carry the weight of needing to produce just to keep up. I don’t panic if I don’t have everything figured out in one night. Because I’ve realized—I don’t have to. I don’t need to release a book every year. I don’t need to race anyone to the finish line. This break? It was necessary. I needed space to grow. To breathe. To celebrate how far I’ve come. I had unknowingly boxed myself in: write…release, write…release. Now? I’m still on the journey. But I’m setting the pace this time. These quiet moments matter. They’re where I reconnect, reflect, and remember why I started in the first place. To tell stories. From a place of experience and creativity, not pressure.  The Blakk DahliaThe Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.
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I've personally received great feedback on the Heartbreak Diaries Series. Every purchase, read, and kind words are greatly appreciated. Reviews Matter! Indie authors need reviews/ratings to stay competitive. Reviews help boost the credibility of a self-published author while sharing your thoughts/views on their work! Loved a book from the Heartbreak Diaries Series? Speak on it! Visit your favorite retailers to leave a review or click stars to rate! Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Apple Books | Kobo  About the Heartbreak Diaries the Heartbreak Diaries is a romance-suspense series with stories told from the heart’s perspective. The fiction series tackles how one’s heart approaches dating, relationships, marriage, and even "situationships" within the mind frame of living in the past, or concerns about the future. What's unique about this series is that it dives into these heart types from a real and vulnerable place. Each book has a "dear diary" moment from an integral character, displaying their true intentions within the story.  The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey. |
"I LOVE to write and create. These are the diaries of how I work and deal in my world of writing and LIFE!"
- The Blakk Dahlia from the Heartbreak Diaries Book Series
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