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Yesterday, we were without power for 12 hours. And this morning, I worked my way around the house checking which electrical appliances need to be replaced, having being damaged by a power surge caused by an electrical fault a short distance from our home.

I could call that event – the power surge – an inciting incident. It resulted in much activity. Frantic calls to find out what had happened, and what we needed to do. Who would help to put this situation right? Discussions with the neighbours. Looking online …

Then National Grid personnel arrived in force – the rescue team – and several of their vehicles spent the day parked along the road outside our bungalow.

I witnessed their use of technical tools to locate the fault. Did you know: there’s a device which can trace chemicals through the tarmac? Whatever happened underground was evidenced in the soil above it.

That took a while and then, having spray painted yellow circles on the verge to show the route of the cabling, and estimated where the problem lay, the digger team arrived – oh, did I mention it rained all day? The first hole didn’t show the source of the surge event. But luck on their side, the second hole a few yards up the road, revealed the problem.

Second time lucky

Fixing it required communications between the men on site and others at the substation. But it was done and then a member of the digger team knocked on every door (20 homes were affected), explained they’d be off soon but that more teams – electricians and loss adjusters – would soon be around to see each householder.

Our team of four arrived about half an hour later and swarmed into our house. One was at the fuse box while others checked the main appliances. Many – the oven, a fridge, the heating system – no longer worked. The power surge, even though the fuse box had done its job to an extent, the force of it, blew through and the list of damaged appliances is long. They team did their best to give us lights in every room, and power where possible. No heating though … thank goodness it’s not mid winter.

And today is just the beginning of journey to return to some sort of normality.

So, what’s all this to do with writing – or editing – or publishing?

I suppose the experience might stir me to write yet another novel – but I have enough on the go already, and yesterday provided a valuable lesson which I’m passing on to you in this blog post.

A digital detox is good for you!

I was without internet access all day yesterday. My phone ran out of charge. My watch died … we ground to a halt.

I picked up a novel – Hidden Depths by JH Mann – and read that while the light lasted.

It was like someone had pressed pause ….

And, even though this morning, there were a million and one things to do as a result of this mini-disaster, I felt rested. I had time to think yesterday. I reflected on what’s important in life.

Taking a break is good for you!

I work long hours. Usually at my desk by 5am. And I achieve a lot. One of my daily affirmations (from Julia Cameron) is: As an artist, my self respect come from doing the work.

But I also schedule breaks into my 14-day fortnight … (that’s another story!) … I set aside one day a week (not at the weekend) when I escape, literally. I arrange for someone to come to the house to look after my husband and I drive away. I might have my nails done, meet a friend for lunch or just go for a walk. It’s me time

When will you next take a break?

Next month, I’ll be hosting my Hope Cove Writers Retreat and that too will provide a break in my normal working pattern.

It’s an opportunity to stop. To think. To press a reset button. In the company of other writers.

You could join me! 13-16 November

Choose between staying at the Cottage Hotel or just attending the daily sessions. Either way, by the Sunday, you’ll feel refreshed.

Full details here: https://www.scrivenervirgin.com/hope-cove-writers-workshop-weekend/