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 March 3 posting of the IWSG are: Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!
In Michigan, March came in like a lamb. I dread what's going to happen when it leaves. GRRROAR!
Last month, I was pretty jacked up over my January writing. My plan was to write a paragraph a day and I ended up writing over 6k words. I was thrilled with my progress. On February 1st, Hubs fell and broke the top bone in his neck (the C-1) in 2 places. Neck brace time and a huge setback. He'd been doing so well after the stroke at the end of December. Today, the physical therapist said he's finally back to where he was at the end of January. A whole month of going backwards. Initially, I had all I could do to take care of him. With the help of our kids and the home health care workers, he's more independent and improving bit by bit. Even though I lost a whole month of writing, my attitude was that I would do what I could do and not stress over what I couldn't.
While Hubs improves with baby steps, I'm writing in baby steps--a paragraph a day. My biggest goal is to improve my patience. To accept what is and be patient not just with Hubs but with myself.
March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
Reading has kept me sane through Hubs' continual health issues. I read to escape. I read just about anything fiction. Not horror or graphic violence, though. I'm not fond of nonfiction. I tend to read what I write--cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, and science fiction romance. I love adventure stories, which sort of encompasses everything I read . . . and write.
I belong to a local readers' group. Because of covid, we've been meeting via Zoom. This group has made me read out of my comfort zone. We've read biographies, historical fiction, literary fiction. Sometimes, I don't finish the book. But that's my choice. Life is too short to read something I'm not interested in, but I give the book a try. Our discussions can be very lively. Twelve to fifteen women with strong opinions love to share. LOL
Leaving this post on a good note, I got my 1st covid vaccine shot last week. I'm looking forward to mid-April when I can get real hugs from my grandkids.
I hope everyone has a great month. Stay safe.
Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.
Hi Diane, hope your hubby is feeling better now? Sending you both positive wishes!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachna.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that your husband fell. I hope he recovers too. It's great that you can be there to take care of him. While writing is great, being there for your loved ones is more important. Congrats on getting the vaccine. I'm dying to get mine so I can safely visit my mom, who is deteriorating these last few months and is recovering from a broken collarbone.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie. And thanks for cohosting. I believe like you do about being there for Hubs. That's the most important part of my life right now. I hope you get your vaccine soon. My sister (in the Detroit-area) is having a really hard time getting hers. Such chaos. I hope you can see your mom soon.
DeleteSetbacks like that are so difficult on everyone. Hope things keep moving forward for you.
ReplyDeleteI can't do horror or graphic violence either - and I'm totally with you on not finishing books that aren't for me. Too many great stories out there!
Yes, there are so many books out there. I can't waste my time on something I'm not interested in. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteI'm going in for vaccine #2 Friday and can't wait. Want to see my grandguy again!! Here's hoping that paragraph becomes a page and a page a chapter!! Give Mr. B a gentle hug for me!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Nancy. Glad to hear you're getting your 2nd shot soon. Hubs says thanks for the hug. :)
DeleteSorry your husband broke his neck! Glad he's finally back on the road to recovery. Hope you can slide back into that writing and gain momentum again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex. I hope so, too.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your hubby. I have been in such a situation and you learn to write when you can. He is your first priority.
Take care and have a lovely month.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks, Pat. I will make the time to write soon. He is definitely my 1st priority.
DeleteHere's to your hubby getting better and better each an every day. And good for you, writing at least a paragraph each day. (I don't do horror either...)
ReplyDeleteLOL about horror. I know a lot of people who get a kick out of horror and enjoy it. Thanks for the good wishes for Hubs.
DeleteOh, no, your poor hubby!
ReplyDeleteI don't like to read horror or graphic violence either. I have hard enough time sleeping as it is. I don't need to add bad dreams on top of it :)
Yeah, he's had a rough year. I don't like horror movies either. Gremlins gave me nightmares. LOL
DeleteSo glad your husband is recovering. I spent all of last year caring for my husband before he passed. You are right - having patience is so important, especially with yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the books - I'll try anything, but if it doesn't catch my interest in the first few pages, I move on. Reading should be a pleasure, not a chore.
Thanks, Lee. I try to be patient with myself and it isn't easy. I'm glad you understand. Being a caregiver can be a labor of love, yet is so difficult. Love your comment that reading should be a pleasure.
DeleteLike you my belonging to a reading group gets me into books I'd never pick up. Glad your hubby is doing better and that you got your first vaccination! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana. I'm challenged sometimes by the choices my book group makes. It is mind opening at times.
DeleteWay to go with the word count. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about hubby. Recoveries can be challenging. The more upbeat you are the easier it will be on him. He must stay positive and each improvement--baby step or not--is a huge deal. He worked hard for every one of them. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
First, Diane, know that you and your husband are in my prayers. You have the right attitude: patience. Such a difficult virtue to possess; both for the self as well as for others.
ReplyDeleteBravo on your January word count. Darling, here is a plus. You are moving forward, or as I tell myself, I am crawling forward in my writing.
Good for you to have your first COVID-19 shot. Gosh, I can't wait for this thing to go away. I need my hugs from my grandchildren and children, too, Diane. Be strong, my dear!
Victoria, thank you for all your kind words. Prayers are such a help. Your support means so much. Thanks for being a cohost this month.
DeleteCongrats on getting that first shot, Diane. I'm glad to hear that your hubby is coming along. He's lucky that he didn't end up paralyzed! And likely very lucky that he had you to help and support him through this. Both of you take care! And well done with that January word count! We all do the best we can, and life often feels like more steps back than forward. Wishing you writing success in March!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about how lucky he is not to be paralyzed. Thanks, Louise.
DeleteSending best wishes and prayers for your husband's recovery. Hang in there with your writing, every precious word.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beverly.
DeleteIt's not always easy to accept what we can't change, but you're certainly going about it the right way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda. That helps.
DeleteMy book club also forces me to read outside my favorites like cozy mysteries. My husband and I received out second vaccine shot last week and will now be able, also, to see a new grandson in South Caroline. Take care. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteBook clubs do pull us into other worlds. :) So glad you're going to be able to see your new grandson. Safe travels.
DeleteI'm so sorry your husband has been having struggles, but so proud that you have returned to writing your paragraph a day. Every bit of forward motion, for your husband, and you, bring you closer to positive outcomes. Just keep moving!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liza. Your words of supportive help.
DeleteThank you for just letting your readers know what's going on. Those first 30 days after a stroke are harrowing, especially for family, but he will show great improvement and continue to improve. The fact that you are able to keep writing means writing is an important anchor for you. Same for me. Does it matter how many words? No. Step-by-step. Can't write a novel or even a short story without those paragraphs. I'm cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Beth. Reading and writing are my anchors. Never thought of them like that.
DeleteBaby steps, indeed. Hang in there, and hang onto what you can. And sometimes it's good to read what makes you comfortable and happy, though I've no doubt that at others, pushing outside the comfort zone helps us grow.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca. Comfortable and happy are important feelings. Sometimes, that's all I need.
DeleteSo glad he's on the mend! And you know, you've inspired me... I keep procrastinating on edits because I feel like I have to get them done -- but who's to say I can't do simply a paragraph a day!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I could help, Deniz. Some days I feel like all I can do is keep my head above water.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that life has been sending you through such rough waters lately. Here's hoping for a nice, long placid stretch where all the drama is in your writing. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Thanks so much for your kind words, Samantha. Placed would be nice.
DeletePlacid.
DeleteMy mom fell and broke the exact bone. She was in a neck brace for a long while. Hope your husband sees some forward movement toward healing soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. That neck brace is such a pain for him. I hope it heals on its own and he won't need surgery.
DeleteI'm so sorry about your husband, and hope he feels better soon. Keep taking those "baby steps," as you need to stay strong too. I'm glad you had your first covid vaccine, and hugging your grandchildren will be the best therapy!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thanks, Julie. Even though baby steps seems beyond me right now. Grandkids' hugs is good therapy.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your husband. It seems like when it rains it pours, doesn't it? And good on you for those baby steps.
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo on the vaccine. We just got our second last week.
Stay safe and may your muse dance on your shoulder.
My muse is stomping. LOL This past year has been a doozy for him. I know other people have it worse with contracting covid and family members dying. In that respect, we're not so bad. Good for you getting your 2nd shot.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about your husband's injury. I am glad that he's back to where he was before the injury, though. I hope he continues to progress. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chrys. Progress seems so slow for him.
DeleteI'm glad your husband is making progress. How scary to break that neckbone. And how amazing are you to take care of him. Good luck with your baby steps and hope you get those hugs soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. Scary is right. It could've been much worse--like paralysis or death. Bad bone to break.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your husband, but it sounds like you're both making some progress forward. It's wonderful that you're able to help him, but I know it's not easy being a caretaker, so I hope you take care of you, too. Yay for getting your vaccine. While I'm still waiting to be able to get mine, my mom got her first one and is scheduled for her second, which is such a relief to me since she cares for some of my nieces and nephews, and I was afraid she'd be exposed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon. Being a caregiver isn't easy but I have help--my adult kids and home health care workers. Glad your mom got her vaccine. Being around kids (such germ magnets) can be dangerous.
Delete"Life is too short to read something I'm not interested in." Amen!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your husband. That sounds SO painful. I'm glad to hear that he's right back where he started after all. And your writing! You're such an angel, Diane! I'm sure your efforts will be doubled because of your loving heart!
You rock!
♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
Elizabeth, you are so sweet. It was painful at the beginning, not the brace is uncomfortable, according to Hubs. He's frustrated more than anything.
DeleteEven when we are not putting words on paper because we have life to tend to, we're still writing. Our stories are still with us, germinating in our minds and being shaped by the life that's interrupting us. So, you're not stalling, you're pausing to absorb.
ReplyDeleteI hope your husband continues to heal quicker and quicker each day!
Thanks, Elizabeth. I love your phrase "pausing to absorb". Great way to put it.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your husband, Diane... Thank God he is doing better with his recovery. Life certainly has been trying for you. I wouldn't stress about writing. Life keeps us busy and taking care of you husband is far more important. I admire your tenacity to write at least a paragraph a day. There are just not enough hours in the day to do all the things we wish to do. Take care... stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael. Time management is not my forte. I do what I can and try not to stress over what doesn't get done.
DeleteIt sounds like the two of you have had a trying time, but the love and strength you give each other will allow you to push on with your writing. I got my first shot yesterday too because I'm a carer for my wife, who has mobility issues. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger!
ReplyDelete