Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!
The awesome co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!
Thanks to everyone who left lovely, supportive comments last month. August was a rough month and September wasn't much better. Hubs' health issues took over my life. Stress went up, creativity disappeared into a black hole. He's improved, we had home health care who were marvelous with their suggestions. Right now, we're dealing with the unknown--diagnosis and prognosis. Next month, after a major evaluation, we hope to know more. Again, despite the fact that I didn't leave a post last month, many of you offered support. Thank you so much.
October 7 question - When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?
Not to be facetious, a working writer is a writer who works. One who writes on a consistent schedule, who doesn't sit around and wait for the Muse to hit them on the head. Until a few months ago, I used to see myself as a working writer. When I started writing back in the 1990s, I treated my writing as a business. I took classes in starting a home-based business and followed the criteria. I worked every day, probably more than my family thought I should. 😃
Right now, I'm neither working nor writing. As I wrote above, my creativity is at an all-time low. I think about writing. I think about the characters in a story I'm (sort of) writing. I want to write. I want to finish the sci-fi romance I started probably three years ago. But I don't have the discipline or inclination to open the file. I'd rather read or binge watch British mysteries. So, I can't call myself a working writer.
From past experience, I know I will come back. Hubs and I will deal with this latest crisis in our nearly forty-eight years of marriage. Our children live close and are supportive. We will get through this. As we know better what we're dealing with, I'll figure out how to be a working writer again.
Meantime, I hope October is a great writing month for you.
We all have times like you're going through where we don't have the time or energy to write. I hope your husband's health continues to improve. Taking care of him and being together is what's important now. You're still a working writer.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought a smile. Thank you so much, Natalie.
DeleteUnknowns are always worse than facts. You can develop a game plan with facts. Kinda like both our writing these days. We're in the wandering unknowns without focus. Raising Bob up in thoughts and prayers and can't wait for you to get back to the keyboard!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Nancy. Appreciate your concern and, esp. prayers.
DeleteHaving health issues of any kind causes stress and worry, especially for our loved ones. Will hold you and your husband in my prayers. And hoping the doctors will help and aid you with these issues.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet, Cathrina. Thank you.
DeleteGlad to hear your husband is doing better and that you have supportive family near by.
ReplyDeleteI like your definition of working writer. I can relate.
Thanks, Toi.
DeleteGlad he's improved and hope things look up going forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex. Hope is what keeps us going.
DeleteWe've all been in the writing doldrums, and you've had good reason to take a break. Here's to a continued recovery for your husband, Diane.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. I appreciate your support.
DeleteI like your definition of a working writer :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your husband is doing better and I hope he fully recovers!
Ronel visiting on IWSG day Revamp Your Backlist
Thanks, Ronel. Glad you added the link to your blog.
DeleteI'm sorry your husband is unwell. Even without that, 2020 has been a rough year. It's sapped a lot of writers' creativity. Here hoping things get better for us all.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true about 2020. Can it be over with already??? Thanks so much for your concern.
DeleteHi Diane, I'm glad your hubby is doing better. He has to be a patient patient. I know you'll be grabbing that pen and paper or keyboard and getting all those stories down some time. Don't worry, there will be a day for you to flush out those characters and settings again. Keeping you in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteJQ Rose
I suggest writing a short for fun and see where it goes. Escaping the stress would be good for you. Take care.
ReplyDeletehttps://emaginette.wordpress.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php
Sometimes, we just need to hunker down and rest, hold our loved ones close, and pray a lot. (Or think positive thoughts, hold onto the positive moments and try to stretch them out like a warm blanket.) I'm glad your husband is doing better.
ReplyDeleteI like Emaginette's and Rose's suggestions - start with short bits of writing and allow yourself to have fun.
Hugs!
I'm not writing much either. Bummed, but that's where I am at.
ReplyDeleteOh, Diane. I want to just hug you and Mr. B. All my love and white light to you both. <3
ReplyDelete