Quitting...July 2021 IWSG Post
July 7 question - What would make you quit writing?
My short, quippy answer was going to be that I'd stop writing if my fingers fell off. But then I started thinking about how often I allow writing to get pushed to the bottom of my to-do list and I realize that I let almost anything and everything stop me from writing.
Then I get insecure that I'm not gaining momentum in my "writing career".
I blame the market; I blame the timing...I blame everything but the person responsible for not putting words on paper.
I suppose that's my epiphany for the day.
Every time I find a reason not to write, I've quit being a writer.
Thank you to this month's awesome IWSG cohosts! Pat Garcia,
Victoria Marie Lees, Chemist Ken, and Louise – Fundy Blue- thank you!!
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!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Victoria Marie Lees, Chemist Ken, and Louise – Fundy Blue- thank you!!
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!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Stop beating yourself up. Some days it just isn't a priority.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind. I've been putting it off for a year. Egads.
DeleteMy writing gets pushed to the bottom of the list. No releases this fall - maybe I'll have time to work on it.
ReplyDeleteI'll follow up with you in August and see if you're staying on track :)
DeleteIt's funny how a different perspective changes things!
ReplyDeleteI've had to take stress breaks from writing, but it always calls me back :)
You're right. It does start calling. Ignore that and you get a bit twitchy. LOL
DeletePlease don't beat yourself up for not writing all the time. Life gets busy, and the things you are doing are important. It doesn't mean you're not a writer. I don't write as much as I could either, but I'm pursuing other worthwhile goals. You are too.
ReplyDeleteExcellent perspective. And one day, I may have more free time than I care to have so I keep reminding myself to appreciate the now.
DeleteSometimes, writing isn’t our priority. And that’s okay. There’s other things more important than writing, like family and health. Take it easy on yourself. And take care!
ReplyDeleteThat's true. I have been catching up on medical check ups I've been putting off.
DeleteWriting gets pushed aside for me all the time, too. Sometimes it just has to be that way. I don't think that makes us quitters :) It just means we need a break.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I get annoyed with myself because after every long pause, it's like starting over. Maybe I should look at those as fresh starts.
DeleteMan, if you consider yourself having quit being a writer than I'm DOOMED! I hope life lets you get your words in. :)
ReplyDeleteNo way! You're no quitter. I can't even imagine how much you've gotten done with little kids. When my kids were your kids' ages, I was lucky to finish brushing my teeth on a daily basis much less get a story written!
DeleteThis was the kick in the pants I needed. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe think on the same wavelength. I'll be checking in on you soon. You better have words to share!
DeleteI like your "The buck stops here" answer. I also laughed at the quippy one, but I'm glad you didn't stop with fingers falling off.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy having fingers...
DeleteLife does get in the way of writing sometimes. It can be a constant struggle to keep writing when life has other plans. As long as you keep going back to the writing when life lets up, all is well.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's the itchiness from being away for so long that is calling me.
Deleteyou aren’t quitting, you’re taking a break, which we all need
ReplyDeletehope you’re doing well1
Tara Tyler Talks
Life is busy, but moving in a positive direction. All but the writing aspect of it. LOL
DeleteOooh, that's an interesting perspective on quitting. Life never goes to plan - even on an I'm-definitely-writing-today day things can go awry. But even a thought or epiphany about your latest WIP is writing. You're in it for the long-run, there's no escaping :-)
ReplyDeleteI do consider myself a long-hauler. And you're right- sometimes the pause is a good time for internal plotting.
DeleteI don't think I'd call it quitting. I think I'd call it prioritizing, and when it is right for you, writing will make it to the top of the list.
ReplyDeleteEventually it will. Life definitely needs to be prioritized sometimes.
DeleteIt might be at the bottom of the list, but at least it's still on there - it hasn't dropped into oblivion. As long as you're thinking about it, and making time to write when you can, you haven't quit.
ReplyDeleteNick, you are a very wise man. Thank you!
DeleteI have stopped for a season but never forever.
ReplyDeleteYou are always juggling a million projects. I don't know how you do it all!
DeleteLol, I hope your fingers remain intact for many years to come:)
ReplyDeleteI am still blessed with fingers!
DeleteA pause is a much better word. I do hate to hit the pause button, but sometimes there is no way around it.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day, Elizabeth! I hope all is well with you. Take care!
ReplyDeleteOr every time you've found a reason not to write, you've discovered an opportunity to change that.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2017/03/how-to-solve-biggest-atozchallenge.html There's a quote from the Wall Street Journal there.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/391109548865369836/ And there's a quote from me. Do note the asterisk at the bottom, because 2020 smashed a lot of brains.
I've been writing or I probably should say writing at it since I was a small child. My childhood friends remember me writing stories and poems. It's funny I have a current project (almost finished now) that I've been working on for a very long time. The people who I promised over the course of time that I would finish this project I think long ao gave up on ever seeing that happen. Slow and steady wins the race! Right? I had to take long pauses because in order to write the story, I had to go back and relive it. That was difficult. Many chapters were typed under a veil of tears. I think we all need to follow the beat of our own drummer and when it's time to step away from the keyboard, that's okay. Writing should inspire passion and in my case, tears/emotions. We can't do that if writing becomes a chore. The finishing touches are being added and I'll give it one last read through for edits. Then I can finally feel as though I accomplished a major feat.
ReplyDelete