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
Thanks so much, Janet.
DeleteI 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
Thanks, Anna. I've done that before with much success--although it turned out to be a full-length novel. Maybe short would be easier.
DeleteSometimes, 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!
Thanks for your encouragement, Tyrean. I love your advice. I do pray and reach for healing thoughts.
DeleteI'm not writing much either. Bummed, but that's where I am at.
ReplyDeleteYou're good company, Diane. :)
DeleteOh, Diane. I want to just hug you and Mr. B. All my love and white light to you both. <3
ReplyDeleteI'll accept virtual hugs, Alyssa. Back at ya!
DeleteA lot of writers are talking about lack of creativity these days. I know I'm sluggish. I've set myself to outlining a couple of future novels in hopes that I'll be able to write something creative when the notion strikes me. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gwen. This is such a weird time--covid, civil disorder, politics, on top of our health issues. Yes, creativity is at the bottom of the well I'm trying to fill up.
DeleteThanks, too, for co-hosting this month.
DeleteHopefully, your husband's current health issues will improve soon. As for creativity - it comes and goes. It will come back to you, when it is time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olga. I hope so.
DeleteNow seems like an excellent time for you to take a break. Maybe read or do something you enjoy if you have the energy and time to do that? I hope you get some answers and can begin moving forward with treatments as necessary.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon. I'm reading more than ever--good escape. Bingeing on British mysteries--love the slower pace and cerebral investigation. All trying to refill the well.
DeleteLike everyone else here, Diane, I hope your husband feels stronger and better real soon. It's the not knowing that is tough. All best to you, my dear. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Victoria.
DeleteSounds like you are handling the crisis like a champ. Life sometimes gets away from you. I'm sure you will get back to writing as soon as you have your life back on tract. Good luck with the process.
ReplyDeleteLife does get crazy. Thanks, Dolorah.
DeleteI'm still working my way through the visits... I hope you get to the bottom of the health issues soon and your husband feels better! That's the sort of thing that legitimately derails writing, I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm working my way thru, too. Thanks, Rebecca.
DeleteThe ebbs and flows of life can change our paths for sure. Glad things are looking up and hope they keep improving!! Take good care of you. The rest will come
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jemi.
DeleteHere's hoping that other parts of your life settle down soon and let you save the drama for the page! @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
LOL Thanks, Samantha.
DeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteI hope things truly work out for you and your family. The stress of the unknown can certainly drain anyone's creativity. Keep breathing, praying, and bing watching. Washing away your thoughts through bing watching can certainly get you through the rough spots. When I was seriously ill a few decades ago, watching musicals and comedies got me through those rough years. Thankfully God was kind and I survived which led me to so many wonderful things including the discovery of this community and the ability to write myself. The time will come when you will be able to write again. Focusing on you family is what's needed now, but don't forget to focus on you and your needs. Taking care of you will give you the strength to take care of your loved ones.
Michael, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. It's times like this that I treasure you and everyone at IWSG.
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