Brain isn't Braining!

Here I am in the midst of finishing a novel and my writer’s brain is getting plagued with how to wrap things up. It’s hard too, considering all the time invested in not only the dynamic characters, but also the majestic world that was created. So how do I go about getting it all completed in a reasonable amount of time? How do I leave everything in just the right spot so that readers are left in the all desired ‘happy spot,’ where they can’t help but want more? I’ll tell you what I’m going to do; I’m going to take a break.
My brain just isn’t braining! I’ve got too many words and ideas floating around up there to get the adequate focus. The end for the novel is in sight, but to do it justice I need to take a step back. Should I put this in or that, should I save this for the next book or include it now? There are a multitude of decisions that must be addressed.

Maybe I’m waiting for that Ah-Ha moment that will put it all together. Have you ever watched a TV show, House comes to mind, where they are faced with a tough decision or case? Remember how they battle the dilemma the entire show until something not directly related to the case/decision presents the solution. It’s where one event triggers the mind to recall some important factoid that will solve the problem at hand.

So put that idea back into the context of writing a novel. In order to get the needed perspective of the story a mental break is needed. I know what you are saying, just take a vacation. Except we are discussing that gray thing between my ears, and unless I’m going to drown it in alcohol (which isn’t an awful idea) it’s hard to take a vacation from. So what sort of break am I referring to then?

Well let’s keep in mind I’m an author, or at least I’m trying to be, so a break from writing a novel for me is to do what I like to call ‘mental exercises.’ I pick a random topic and just put pen to paper and let the ink flow where it likes. This escape allows the creative nature within me to not go discontented. Furthermore, I’m given time away from the demands of the project I’m working on. Then, if I’m lucky, while writing the mental exercise I could fall into that epiphany state and draw from the external well that which is lacking in the main project.
So do other writers do this? Is this why blogging has become so popular over the past few years?