My headline is not exactly the question prompt for this month’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group monthly blog post, but it’s what I have to keep saying to avoid a meltdown.
October 3 question – How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?
The real questions – well, two questions.
I can’t pretend that one critical life event didn’t impact my writing. When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in January 2000, my career as an equestrian journalist began to wind in; not immediately, but as I lost the ability to do the job efficiently, retirement loomed. By 2005, I had quit writing reports and by 2010, my involvement with horse shows had ended.
However, writing fiction filled some of the gaps in my life, and my debut novel, Spiral of Hooves was mainly written after I retired. My ongoing health problems do make writing every day hard, but sometimes the writing can distract from having a chronic illness– well two as I also have blood cancer, chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia (CLL).
But MS doesn’t distract from noisy step-great-grand-kids as the disease makes me sensitive to noise (as well as other things like temperature). Maybe I can use the experience for a children’s story.
As I began writing with some seriousness in my teens, there are possibly other life events of relevance. One day, I might remember.
Our current crisis is financial and could lead to a house move/down-sizing. Again, writing is a distraction, although I envisage obstacles like having no computer for some days – but not for so long as the move from Wales to the US.
NaNoWriMo might be a fail though. At least, I can scribble things down, even if MS makes my handwriting illegible – plus, I have plenty of notepads.
My muse will help me through this crisis.
Do you juggle major life events and writing? Or do they feed each other?
**
The awesome co-hosts for the October 3 posting of the IWSG are Dolorah @ Book Lover,Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken!
Purpose of IWSG: 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!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
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!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG
Writing Wings 
Wow, you are dealing with a lot. I admire the fact you can write even as a distraction. Keeping you in my prayers. I hope some of your burdens ease really soon. Happy IWSG!
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Thanks, Juneta. We’re hoping that the burdens move on soon. I suspect that writing (and reading) is a survival tool. Like a stone axe?
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Life changes are always a struggle for me. My son, Bossman–online persona, has helped every inch of the way . Family can make all the difference when I’m need of support. Writing, venting, can help make sense of things and come up with a plan to cope.
You’ll get through this–together.
Anna from elements of emaginette
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You are so right, Anna. I just have to choose the receptive and helpful members of my family = my wife. You have been an inspiration with your own determination recently – many thanks. Isn’t that the point of IWSG?
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It is.
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You don’t let excuses hold you back.
You could always write a horror story where those noisy kids get it in the end…
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Mind now working, Alex on the horror version of the children’s story I wrote about other step-grandkids picking up their toys. The Revenge of the Toys? Or – The Toys Strike Back?
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You amaze me Roland. I love your determination and courage and how you keep on writing. Love Alex’s idea of a horror story about the kids 🙂
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If writing can dull the MS beast, Ellen, then Alex’s suggestion is a perfect formula for little kidling beasts.
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You’re very courageous. I hope your writing keeps distracting you from whatever your illnesses throw at you.
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Many thanks, Olga. Coming from you that means a great deal. You are THE inspiration in your fight.
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Roland, I am in awe of your ability to keep on keeping on. I turn my face away from NaNo for reasons that I’ve spoken about only to my writing partner, yet with all these challenges, still you wonder how you might get something from it.
May the writing continue to provide positive distraction & I’d absolutely love to read that children’s story one day to my granddaughter.
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Thanks for the encouraging words, Debs. Sometimes I wonder if I take on too many challenges and so create more problems. Verdict postponed until after NaNoWriMo perhaps.
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It’s great that you keep writing, despite everything that can be used as an excuse not to. I like Alex’s suggestion 🙂
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Thanks, Ronel and yes, I need Alex’s suggestion as that is an acceptable excuse. 😉
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Writing through adversity is awesome. I admire your perseverance.
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That perseverance might be obstinacy, Diane.
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About the time you were getting MS, I was getting rheumatoid arthritis. I seriously impacted many joints but my hands are what bothered me most. I looked into audio recording for writing, thinking I would lose the ability to type. Have you considered that?
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I’m sorry to learn about your rheumatoid arthritis, Jacqui and pray that it is manageable. I did look into audio recording and even started training the software. But I had enormous problems getting the software to understand me. I know it has improved, but in my case, and with others, MS affects my speech so I slur = no audio recording and no more public pontificating – well, not yet.
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I didn’t know that about MS. Darn. I would be miserable if I couldn’t write. My RA is manageable, chronic but I’ve come to accept it and adapt. Lots of people are worse off.
I enjoy your posts, Roland.
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You inspire me. Life is a long stream of good and bad. It is through the bad that we stay diligent and write – even if it is just a few scribbles for distraction.
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You’re an inspiration for me and probably many others. Thank you! Abundant blessings Roland!
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Many thanks and blessings, Ann. Inspiration comes from many people.
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I agree! Thanks enjoy your weekend!
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*grimace* Sorry to hear the kids are still around and being obnoxiously loud and disruptive. And to add financial issues on top of that. 😦
I hope things improve for you.
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Thanks, Loni – no sign of relief but I’m sure it’s out there. I hope yours are angels in comparison – or superheroes.
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I hope the muse can continue carrying you through. Good luck with everything you’re dealing with.
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Thanks, Shannon. The muse is mightier than the chaos.
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The muse is mightier than the chaos… love it! 🙂
You may not reach your intended goal, but as long as you get words down during November, NaNoWriMo will never be a fail.
Just my two cents… 🙂
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Valuable two cents, Michelle – collectables. I’m hoping that my prep makes NaNo smoother/less choppy.
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