*******
So in the midst of stress and lack of sleep (a common enough state in my household--especially at this time of year), my husband and I had a lovely fight about... well, lots of things. The upshot of the whole thing was I had to sit and think very hard about whether or not I should, could, would give up writing for the betterment of the family. I decided I couldn't.
I COULD, however, give up conferences and lie about the small writer's groups--saying I was going out with a friend. I COULD get up in the middle of the night and write for a few hours and no one would know it. I COULD not talk about writing anymore at home. (yeah, I know, I tend to go extreme at times)
Thankfully we worked things out and my husband assured me that he had no desire to have me quit writing. (I hadn't told him that I didn't think I could--that I considered a lot of weird and strange ways to hide it, but I couldn't actually quit it. I guess that qualifies me as addicted, yes?)
But the question of what was important about writing has stayed with me. Yup, I CAN'T WAIT for Glen Lake--but I could do without it if I had to. Yup, I LOVE talking about writing--but I could do without it if I had to. Yup, my small writing group is important to me--but I COULD LIE about going there if I had to--and I could even do without it if I REALLY had to.
The one thing I just don't think I could give up and remain, well, sane, is actually writing. Spending time putting words, sentences, paragraphs, stories on paper--or at least on the computer.
Good thing I don't have to give up any of it--yet. Could you give up writing? What would you give it up for?
I COULD, however, give up conferences and lie about the small writer's groups--saying I was going out with a friend. I COULD get up in the middle of the night and write for a few hours and no one would know it. I COULD not talk about writing anymore at home. (yeah, I know, I tend to go extreme at times)
Thankfully we worked things out and my husband assured me that he had no desire to have me quit writing. (I hadn't told him that I didn't think I could--that I considered a lot of weird and strange ways to hide it, but I couldn't actually quit it. I guess that qualifies me as addicted, yes?)
But the question of what was important about writing has stayed with me. Yup, I CAN'T WAIT for Glen Lake--but I could do without it if I had to. Yup, I LOVE talking about writing--but I could do without it if I had to. Yup, my small writing group is important to me--but I COULD LIE about going there if I had to--and I could even do without it if I REALLY had to.
The one thing I just don't think I could give up and remain, well, sane, is actually writing. Spending time putting words, sentences, paragraphs, stories on paper--or at least on the computer.
Good thing I don't have to give up any of it--yet. Could you give up writing? What would you give it up for?
3 comments:
Wow, Sarah, you sure come up with some dillies!!
Even though I don't write every day, I don't think I could just quit. WHO would tell my stories, memories, opinions, etc? I miss the conferences, both PW and the Outdoor Writers of America, a working/educational week-long gathering, but I survive without them. I don't belong to a small group. I would probably do better if I did, (writing prods, feedback, sharng others thoughts) but I survive without.
Currently, my writing time doesn't interfere with family time--I write, when I do, from 3:00 a.m until 5:00 a.m. and sometimes during the day or evening on weekends. My wife is addicted to the Red Wings--everything comes to a screeching halt when they're on. I get a bit miffed, because it has replaced our time. Knowing the hockey takes precedence over everything, I refuse to watch. Could your husband feel the same way about your writing? Gald you worked it out, at least for now. He'll see it differently once that novel hits the bookstores.
Sarah - I'm glad you didn't have to make a choice between writing or not. And I agree with Larry ... we'll see how your husband feels once he sees your novel(s) at Barnes & Noble.
In thinking about whether I could give up writing ... I hope I never have to make that decision. Writing is so much more than just the physical act of writing for me ... it is connecting with other writers, sharing what I've learned about writing with the people who trust me enough to take my classes, talking about writing (sometimes ad nauseum), going to conferences, always learning more about writing, etc. In fact, I sometimes think I let the other "writing related" things take precedence over my actual writing ... that opens up a whole new set of problems.
BTW - I'm going to the Bear River Writers Conference, sponsored by the University of Michigan this weekend. To say I'm geeked would be an understatement. I'm actually just warning you that I'll probably be talking about it ... ad nauseum ... when I see you next.
~Tricia
Larry,
Okay, THAT'S dedication--3:00 a.m.! I am so impressed. See? If I'd just get up that early then it wouldn't interfere with anything--except then I'd really be sleep depraved (yup, I mean deprAved!)
Trica,
I can't wait to hear about it! I haven't heard of Bear River Writers Conference. Is this a teaching type conference? Workshops? Speakers? Sounds cool!
And my husband thinks I'll be published much more than I think I'll be published. It's just... a lot of things, I think. But he is supportive in the sense that he believes I am a good writer--and some day some publisher will realize it and publish one of my novels.
I think it's just always easier to believe and support people when it doesn't interfere with your own comfort, plans, day to day living.
Post a Comment