Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Alicia Keys Teaches Songwriting and Producing

Amanda Gorman Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry

Amy Tan Teaches Fiction, Memory, and Imagination

Billy Collins Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup and Beauty

Become a Streamer

Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers

Daniel Pink Teaches Sales and Persuasion

David Baldacci Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing

David Mamet Teaches Dramatic Writing

David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor

Elevate Your Singing and Stage Presence

Helen Mirren Teaches Acting

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

James Patterson Teaches Writing

Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking

John Legend Teaches Songwriting

Joy Harjo Teaches Poetic Thinking

Joyce Carol Oates Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy

Judy Blume Teaches Writing

Lewis Hamilton Teaches a Winning Mindset

Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing

Metallica Teaches Being a Band

Mira Nair Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Reframe Your Thinking

Ringo Starr Teaches Drumming & Creative Collaboration

R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences

Ron Howard Teaches Directing

Roxane Gay Teaches Writing for Social Change

Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting

Sheila E. Teaches Drumming and Percussion 

Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

James Clear: Small Habits that Make a Big Impact on Your Life

Spike Lee Teaches Independent Filmmaking

St. Vincent Teaches Creativity and Songwriting

Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

The Duffer Brothers Teach Developing an Original TV Series

Tom Morello Teaches Electric Guitar

Walter Mosley Teaches Fiction and Storytelling

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Yo-Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connection

Imagery and Form

Walter’s Process: Writing Every Day

Walter’s Most Important Thing

Writing Process

Writing a Script: Effective Habits

Life of a Writer

Bonus: Advice for Aspiring Songwriters

Passion + Habit

Conclusion: Two Groups of People

Closing

The Duffer Brothers’ Writing Approach

Writer’s Block

Writing Habits

Protecting Your Process

The Secret of Secrets

Having a Day Job

Finding Your Streaming Style and Routine

Boost Creativity With Discipline

Writing Through Roadblocks

Meet Your Instructor

Unblocking Creativity

Life of a Dramatist (Cont'd)

Introduction

Discussion With Marie Howe: Writing Poetry

How to Start Writing

Drafts and Revisions

Judy’s Writing Process - Part 1

Have Fun With Your First Draft

Roxane’s Writing Process

Break Through Writer's Block

Writing and Revising

Putting Words On Paper

Persuade Yourself: How to Self-Motivate

Getting 1 Percent Better Every Day

Combating Writer’s Block and Developing Routines

Moving Forward

How to Exercise Self Discipline

Build a Daily Writing Habit

Getting Started in Comedy

Story Techniques

Final Thoughts

Developing the Film

Conclusion

Group Workshop: E is for Edie by Jeanie Bergen

Meet Your Instructors: The Duffer Brothers

Getting to the Pitch

You’ve Sold Your Script. Now What?

Jodie’s Short Film: The Screenwriter-Director Collaboration

Tips for Writing Television

Finding Your Voice & Inspiration

Resourcefulness Is Everything

Pep Talk: You Ready to Do This?

Vision

Direct With Honest Leadership

Collaborate With Others on a Screenplay

On-Set Collaboration

Collaboration: Part 1

Spike's Film 101s Pt. 2

On-Set Directing

Leading The Platoon

Set Rules

Prepping and Scheduling

Directing: Production

Schedule Your Way to Creativity

Becoming “Promiscuous Collaborator”

“Savior” Songwriting Demo: Final Mix

Meet Your Instructors

Riff Rock Writing: Chorus, Solo, and Arrangement

Adding Depth to Collaboration

An All-Starr Jam

Growing as a Bandleader 

Creative Collaboration

Making a Song Your Own

Write Hits Through Collaboration

Writing

Teaches Creative Writing

Margaret Atwood

Lessons from Influential Black Voices

Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love

Teaches Investigative Journalism

Bob Woodward

Bob Woodward Teaches Investigative Journalism

Teaches Poetic Thinking

Joy Harjo

Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing

David Baldacci

Teaches Fiction and Storytelling

Walter Mosley

Teaches Dramatic Writing

David Mamet

Teaches Writing for Television

Shonda Rhimes

Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Ken Burns

Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Teaches Writing

James Patterson

Scripting Your Own Success

Mindy Kaling

Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Billy Collins

Teaches the Power of Storytelling

LeVar Burton

Teaches the Power of Storytelling 

LeVar Burton Teaches the Power of Storytelling

Teaches Storytelling and Humor

David Sedaris

Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry

Amanda Gorman

Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin

Icons and Their Influences

Talking Shop

Malcolm Gladwell

Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Joyce Carol Oates

Teaches Game Design and Theory

Will Wright

Will Wright Teaches Game Design and Theory

Teaches Purposeful Communication

George Stephanopoulos

George Stephanopoulos Teaches Purposeful Communication

Teach Developing an Original TV Series

The Duffer Brothers

Teaches Storytelling and Writing

Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie Teaches Storytelling and Writing

Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

N. K. Jemisin

N. K. Jemisin Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

Judy Blume

Teaches Fiction, Memory, and Imagination

Amy Tan

Teaches Writing Thrillers

Dan Brown

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae

Teaches Writing for Young Audiences

R.L. Stine

Michael Lewis

Tell a Great Story

Teaches Writing for Social Change

Roxane Gay

Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

Guided by Leading Experts

Achieve More With GenAI

Ava DuVernay

Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

A writing break is any time spent away from a writing project. It can be a short break—an afternoon, a day, a week—or a long break, like a month or a year. Regardless of the exact amount of time, writing breaks can help you clear your head, get a fresh perspective, accomplish other tasks, or simply rest. 
Whether it’s a full-time job or not, writing is hard work. Many writers find themselves constantly working on their writing or, at the very least, thinking about it. As with any profession or hobby, taking a break can increase productivity. Here are a few reasons you should take a break from writing: 

1. __Short writing breaks prevent burnout__. When you’ve hit your stride, it can feel unsettling to take a break. You may think you will lose momentum. But if you only stop when you’re exhausted, you’re likely to burn out. Instead, take short, scheduled breaks  to protect your mental health and keep yourself motivated. 
2. __Writing breaks can stave off writer’s block__. Taking a break might seem counterintuitive, but it can provide the mental space you need to avert [writer’s block](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-over-writers-block). Schedule a break when you know what direction to go in your story, essay, or novel. That way, you’ll already know what you need to write when you get back into it, and restarting won’t feel as daunting. 
3. __Writing breaks provide space for new perspectives__. Taking a break from <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing","linkCopy":"creative writing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>creative writing</a> allows you to get the space you need to see your writing from a different point of view. 
Whether you’re writing for the first time or the hundredth, these tips can help you stay motivated and energized: 

1. __Fill your time with inspiration__. Many writers get creative inspiration from art, music, films, and podcasts. Consider spending your free time exploring other mediums or going out into the world for [inspiration](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-find-writing-inspiration). 
2. __Focus your energy on a different project__. When working on a writing project, like a novel or short story, it can be helpful to write something else periodically. If you feel like you’re hitting a wall, try writing a poem or [journaling](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/thought-provoking-journal-prompts-from-bestselling-authors) your thoughts. This can help get the creative juices flowing again. 
3. __Follow a schedule__. Writing every day on a [schedule](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-consistent-writing-schedule) can keep you on task and build a habit. The same goes for taking a break. Take scheduled breaks, particularly if you’re writing full-time. Eating, exercising, and taking time for self-care will help your mental and physical well-being and your writing practice. 
4. __Take a break once you reach a milestone__. Take a break between writing your first draft and [rewriting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-master-the-rewriting-process), or between writing and editing. Give yourself at least a few days, so you can read your work with fresh eyes. It can also help to take breaks when you’ve hit a target word count or finished a chapter so that you can acknowledge your accomplishments. 
Become a better writer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.
Taking a break from writing can boost your mental health and creative process. Boundaries and self-care can help you avoid burnout, writer’s block, and procrastination.

Taking a break from writing can boost your mental health and creative process. Boundaries and self-care can help you avoid burnout, writer’s block, and procrastination.

Taking a Break from Writing: 3 Reasons to Take a Writing Break

<p class="mc-mb-6">A writing break is any time spent away from a writing project. It can be a short break—an afternoon, a day, a week—or a long break, like a month or a year. Regardless of the exact amount of time, writing breaks can help you clear your head, get a fresh perspective, accomplish other tasks, or simply rest. </p>

What Is a Writing Break? 

<p class="mc-mb-6">Taking a break from writing can boost your mental health and creative process. Boundaries and self-care can help you avoid burnout, writer’s block, and procrastination.</p>

Taking a break from writing can boost your mental health and creative process. Boundaries and self-care can help you avoid burnout, writer’s block, and procrastination.


Overcome Writer's Block & Other Hurdles