Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Friday, November 17, 2017

When the Work Gets Suffocated

Living outside the country for three years freed me up creatively. I completed my novel, Afraid of Everything, started and finished the self-help memoir, Slim Within, and wrote first drafts of another novel and a travel memoir. A very productive time for the writing!

Once I came back, it stopped. We've been in the States a year now, and I haven't worked on any of my manuscript drafts. They're stashed away, waiting.

This past year has been a whirlwind of catching up with family and doing all the things we missed out on while away, like being with our kids and our grandchildren. Earning money. Getting to the doctors and specialists and dentists.

And even then, there doesn't seem to be enough time for anything. Especially for being with my family, since I know we'll leave again before too long.

Not that I'm complaining because I'm not. I'm okay with setting aside my creative work for awhile. I don't know why that doesn't bother me like it seems to bother many other writers. Do I not care enough? Am I not committed enough?

Living a full and balanced life is what matters the most. And sometimes that doesn't include writing the next book. Besides, I'm pretty sure I'll get back to it...I always do!


11 comments:

  1. There are many kinds of "productive." But I get how much more balanced you feel when your own creations are in the mix.

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  2. I know just what you mean - sometimes there is just too much Life and even writing has to take a back seat for a while.

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  3. This "Living a full and balanced life is what matters the most." Writing is great, wonderful but to be whole it must be balanced with everything else.

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  4. Hi Karen! It sounds to me like you are being very productive at living your life. Out of the country, in the country you always seem to have plenty to do.

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  5. Balance in life is what we all crave. It sounds like you have it.

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  6. The balance shifts sometimes and that's okay. I've not worked on my own stuff for awhile, but it will return.

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  7. I would imagine that it is fairly typical that any creative eneavour comes in fits and starts when time and inspiration allows. Gosh, you were so productive when you were away from home. Fantastic, and no doubt you will be so again. Cheers, Eddie

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  8. I was Santa at a local school recently and I think your hubby and goodself night be anused at my antics. Had so much fun . . . :)

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  9. Sometimes it's good to take a break to "fill the well"! You never know when inspiration will strike...

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  10. Dear Karen, in a way, I've lost the year 2017 because of a serious operation in March that took a full six months of recuperation/recovery. Then mor problems with health came. So I got little done all year. Like you, I find myself content with this, trusting that when the time is right I will write again and will, finally, do some self-publishing through Create Space. We'll see. All shall be well. Peace.

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  11. Popping in to say hello and wishing you and your hubby with that excellent sence of humour, my very best wishes. Eddie . . :)

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