Write something, damn it!
O…K…
Her breath hitched, then fluttered like butterfly wings against his neck where her lips grazed his skin.
Maybe that sentence is wonderful, maybe not.
The point is—the writing must NOT stop!
All that I truly know and want is rooted in the words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters and stories I put on a page.
So, why haven’t I been writing?
Stepping into 2013 has been an extended arm-flailing slide on the longest, unexpected banana peel ride ever!
The weekend after Christmas my dad had to go to the ER. Since then, he’s been in the hospital, had a brief, but horrible for his health, stay in a nursing home for short term rehab, then back to ER, then ICU, and still is in the hospital. That’s where I’ve been. While my dad’s 83, this turn in his health was totally unexpected. It’s been a whirlwind of crazy—specialists, test after test, sepsis, fevers, colds, catheters, dementia, allergic reactions, a weird bout of him not swallowing anything by mouth…sigh. But my dad is much loved, and me and my sibs are his advocates, which means lots of hours each day spent holding his hand, encouraging him, and wrangling docs and nurses for him to get the best care possible. It’s been very hard to type or write while doing this.
But, I can’t be the first writer to have some unexpected real life stuff happen to them to mess with their writing.
I wish I could offer up in this post a list of 10 Ways to Keep Writing When the Unexpected Happens.
The thing is–I don’t know five ways, or three or two.
I guess I can only recognize a personal truth. All of my days of living, my personal truth and make up—my dreams, my journey– is connected to writing.
I can’t opt out of writing, no matter how challenging my days get. Writing should be like eating, and sleeping, because it’s as much food to the part of me I’m just now discovering, as a meal is to the part of me I’m used to paying attention to, and caring for.
There is a shift going on, and a call to me that I need to answer. Am I a writer? is the question it’s forcing upon me.
How can I hope to grow, reach my potential, if I let everything, anything–big or small get in between me and the words on the page?
I believe I know my path, and putting in my best effort to write daily is the best way for me to stay on course. If I can’t get both hands on the keyboard of my laptop or my new ASUS Transformer tablet (my Christmas gift to me!), I’ll start carrying one of the many beautiful writing journals I’ve got in my collection and write with one hand if I have to. If I can’t move forward in a WIP that’s giving me trouble, I’ll sketch out some notes or scene work on another story I’ve got on the to-be-written list.
I must keep it movin’!!!
I’d love to hear the stories of how other people have gone through the unexpected and discovered that putting their writing on the shelf wasn’t the proper response to trouble. So many of you probably already know what I’ve just discovered—writing is the release, the answer, the healing balm in times of trouble, not just another ‘task’ that can be put off until another day.
In life, I have to conclude– you may have stumbles or falls, but you don’t have to be thrown off your path.
And, I’ve missed blogging! Glad to be back 🙂
~Love Blooms~ 
A wonderful blog post, Venice. I know you’ve had your hands full dealing with your dad’s health and how his condition has weighed on your heart. When you’re consumed with worry and playing advocat for a loved one, it’s often hard to focus. Yes, I’ve been there, with my mother. But writing is so much a part of who I am, I continued to make time for writing, if not daily, then weekly. Sometimes it was only a post on my blog, other times it was sitting down and working on a WIP. For me, writing was much like release, a chance to let go of my worries and escape for a while. Like you said…it’s food for the soul.
I’m glad to hear you’ll let writing nurture the way for you, to be the balm you need. And, of course, I will continue to offer prayers for you and your dad and hope he is out of the hospital soon!
Oh, man– you and Alicia, my two sweet blog pals are always there to support me! Touches my heart, Mae!
I know how much writing is a part of you, it’s a wonder to see how that works– your connection and devotion to writing constantly amazes me, my friend.I also know how hard you and your family worked to make sure your mom got the best care possible, and it’s no small wonder that we fit so well together. We’ve shared (are sharing) so much of the same life experiences. Love having you as a writing buddy and friend, Mae! Doubt I’ll match you on completing I SEE YOU by March, as you plan to do with your new one THE SECRET OF ECLIPSE LAKE— but who knows!
The lesson life is teaching me about how writing is supposed to also serve me in a way that is about my growth, but also as another friend to me– I’m taking to heart and mind, and letting it work my fingers and see what I’ve got inside me. No surprise that a recent & well-timed fortune cookie’s message — ‘ You have only begun to scratch the surface of your potential’ –really hit home with me.
My writing is going to help me through this rough time!
Thanks so much for your prayers for my father– it’s just what my family and my dad need right now!
Venice, I’m so sorry about your father’s health and am praying that he improves and is released from the hospital. As Mae did, I also went through this not only with my father who passed in September of 2012, but also with my brother who passed in October of 2011.
This kind of pressure can be draining on your mental and physical resources, but writing can be a release. I didn’t work on any of my wip’s. I did, however, write about my feeling as a way to purge or drain the pressure.
I’m happy that things have improved some for your family and will continue to keep you all in my prayers.
Great post!
Hi Alicia! Missed ya! I just mentioned in my reply to Mae’s comment how much I appreciate you both for always supporting me! I know I don’t have a lotta action going on on this blog, but you two sweeties always pop in to make me feel good! Thanks so much for that, I appreciate ya!
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had to go through this when your father, and your brother passed.How sad you had to lose your love ones in such a difficult manner. When you have some one in the hospital who is quite ill, everyday is like being on a slippery slope. Sometimes you manage to pull yourself up a bit, but the next you’re sliding back down again. And of course you feel so bad that your family member has to deal with being stuck in such a bad way.
You kept writing through it– good for you! And I bet journaling is a good alternative when you can’t find the energy to work on the WIPs. Good thought, which I’ll keep in mind, too.
Your prayers for my family I so much appreciate, as I believe prayer does work, my friend!
Gotta go see what you’re up to, now that I’ve got my focus back, well– at least for today! 🙂
Blessings to you and yours!
I desire to take note of this specific posting, “Write Something, damn it!
(Newbie Indie Writer Ramblings) ~Love Blooms~” on my web page.
Will you mind if Ido? Thanks a lot -Kristal
I’d be tickled if you did! Thanks, Kristal
I just read “Blackout” and I wanted to say that it was one of the best things that I have read in quite some time. Keep up the great work and I hope your Dad feels better
Stepahanie, this wonderful review from you was/is right on time! I really want to get all the stories inside out there, hoping folks will enjoy and in some
way be touched by them. It’s definitely challenging with this thing going on with my dad, last night I stayed overnight with him in the hospital. When I saw your comment, I can’t tell you how great it made me feel!
So, yes– I’ll keep it going!
Best to you & yours.
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