Wednesday, April 3, 2013

INSECURE WRITERS SUPPORT GROUP


Time seems to be escaping me. I feel like I'm in a dream where fence posts are flying by at an alarming rate. Maybe it's just me, but wasn't it just Christmas? Now it's April.
I've had to make some adjustments in my schedule. Do I continue writing, do I not. Do I continue with the plots in my head, or do I put them on paper?
A few weeks ago I made the decision. I'm putting my pencil (keyboard) away. I'm not writing any more. Besides who reads what I write anyway?
After a few days of "not writing" I realized I must have had a stroke.
That's not why I write..... it's not about "who reads what I write." I write because that's who I am. That's what motivates me. That's what keeps me alive and thinking. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about one of my characters....'will she be okay, or what am I going to do with him?'
That proverbial plot is always on the back burner, simmering until I pay attention to it. My own life experiences change my characters  lives too.
After a short vacation, I'm back. Keyboard clacking. Oh, I love that sound!
I can't "stop writing" any more than I can stop breathing.
What keeps you going? 
Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating Insecure Writers Support Group. Today is the day, the first Wednesday of the month.  Follow this link to join in.
 http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
    

6 comments:

Elsie Amata said...

I love when that happens! When a moment in your day causes you to think of one of your characters or something you want to include in your book. It's so inspiring. What a great post! Thank you.

Elsie
IWSG co-host

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Thanks for stopping by Elsie!
Hugs

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Oh my! Katt, you scared me there for a moment. You're such a tease. Don't you dare stop writing. Yikes, I couldn't manage not being able to read your wonderful posts!

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy,
I really wasn't teasing. A few weeks ago I seriously thought about closing this blog. Having a big farewell party. There is just so much going on in my life right now. I was feeling guilty about not writing, and then feeling guilty when I did write (because I should be doing something else). Oh my, what's a writer to do? lol

Carol Garvin said...

I remember my hubby telling a student that he shouldn't go into the ministry unless he couldn't *not* go into it! When God makes a calling clear to us, it's hard to ignore.

I'm so glad you didn't give up your writing. For me, writing is the therapy that keeps me sane amidst life's various stresses. Not writing simply adds to them. Even when there are time crunches, finding fifteen minutes to write isn't too challenging. I used to feel writing was a frivolous indulgence until I realized how much of an impact it had on me and my spiritual life. When I accepted that God intended me to write, I stopped feeling guilty about it.

I'd like my writing to be useful to others -- i.e., to have readers -- but in the long run I've found it isn't about them, but about me and God.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol,
Your last comment is exactly where I'm at. It's about me and God. I also find writing therapeutic. I don't feel guilty when I'm doing things for other people....so why should I feel guilty when I'm doing something for me (writing)?
Thanks for your excellent advice......
We'll keep writing!
Hugs
Katt