Sunday, February 1, 2009

Blog Chain Blatherskite


It's my turn to pick the topic on this blog chain round, even though I missed the last one, which Elana started ( http://www.elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ ) and ended with Abi ( http://bloggingexperiments.wordpress.com/ ).


Since I missed the last chain entirely, I was stupid enough not to go back and see what the topic was (Homer Simpson "Doh" could be heard as I slapped my head).


***Unfortunately, it was pretty dang close to the one I picked, so there will be an alternative question for the members who don't want to just copy and paste their last post in their blog.


Have you ever had anything cause you to step back from writing? If so, what was the cause and how long did it take you to get back into the swing of things? If not, do you have any advice for other writers about not letting life get in the way of writing?

Oh dear God, where to start? I have neglected my writing on many occasions; here lately it’s gotten really bad! I think I should just make a list of issues of late, much like you would a grocery list.

1. Two of my daughters were diagnosed with a genetic birth defect which causes a Mal tracking Patella. The oldest is in a full leg brace, and between fights with the insurance company, Doctors and pharmacy, it’s been very emotionally draining.


2. My 13 year old son just got his first car (yes, I said 13), a 1976 Camaro. It’s a fixer-upper and he has done nothing but pester me to go to this store looking for this, that or the other for the car.


3. My husband has been laying off people at his work. Unfortunately, two of the men are disgruntled and have decided to lay in wait for my husband outside our house once that we know of so far.


4. My PC crashed and I lost about 7 years worth of pictures, documents, songs, etc.


5. We had an ice storm that caused my kids to be home for 3 days cooped up in the house.


6. I’ve had a viscous sinus infection that doesn’t seem to want to go away.


7. My cat got out and almost sliced his foot off (no idea how) so got to spend two days at the vet.


8.I had another BIRTHDAY (yuck) and turned 39.


9. Oh yeah, did I mention I have five kids???

This is just the last month. I have neglected my blogging, my writing, pretty much anything that I do for myself, because I have been so mentally taxed. I refuse to write more until I get a new PC. Even though I was able to wipe mine and reinstall Windows XP, there are still issues, and I think it’s only a matter of time till it quits working all together, so I haven’t even uploaded my writing folders back to it.

I often wonder how writers can keep it up even when life happens. I know many say that it is an escape, but I haven’t been able to take advantage of that escape for a few months now. Hopefully getting a new PC will light a fire under my butt, till then, I will just have to cheer on my fellow writers! YOU GO GIRLS! Check out Leah's ( http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/ ) post next!


*** Alternative question: Do you brainstorm with a friend when you are plotting, or do you prefer to be the only one who knows what your characters are going to do?

16 comments:

Vodka Mom said...

holy crap. That was SOME damn list.

Let me pour you a drink...

Michelle McLean said...

Wow Terri! Yeah, I think all that (or even part of that) would make me take a writing break for a bit :) Yes, writing can be a break for me sometimes, but it's like taking a vacation...it just isn't always possible. I hope you get to take a writing breather soon! Or win the lotto and a nice long vacation on some tropical island somewhere ;)

H. L. Dyer said...

That is a super crazy list, Terri!

Hang in there. :)

Elana Johnson said...

I don't think this topic is too close to the last chain at all. This is about how life gets in the way of writing, not how you get out of the writing funk. Horrible list, Terri! Hang in there!

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

I hope life gets a little less complicated for you soon, Terri!

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

I hope life gets a little less complicated for you soon, Terri!

Carolyn Kaufman | @CMKaufman said...

"My PC crashed and I lost about 7 years worth of pictures, documents, songs, etc."

I assume you took your hard drive to a computer/data recovery specialist? Just because the computer crashes doesn't necessarily mean you lose what's on the hard drive.

If you don't know how to take out the hard drive to have someone look at it, I can walk you through what to do. You can also take in the whole computer, and they'll take out the hard drive for you.

Kate Karyus Quinn said...

Terri, I am so hard you've had such a tough start to your year! Hope things get better soon, and in the meantime I'm glad you're back online with us!

Anonymous said...

WOW - Tough start to the year...Aazing how "real life" can really put a damper on the fun of writing :) Hope the year gets better soon

LiteralDan said...

Wow, I don't know which is worse, the disgruntled employee stalkers, or the PC crash. I have nightmares about that.

Kathryn Hupp-Harris said...

Geez, Terri... hang in there.

Man, I'm pullin' for ya, and hope things get better.

Kathryn Hupp-Harris said...

Geez, Terri... hang in there.

Man, I'm pullin' for ya, and hope things get better.

Mary Duncan said...

Life can suck sometimes. But look on the bright side, it's probably reached the peak of badness and can only get better from now on. Right?

I'll send you a truckload of good energy, but your husband's going to have to deal with the stalkers his own way. Isn't he like 6'6" or something? Who, in their right mind's going to mess with him?

Blessed be to you, my dear.

Mary

Mary Lindsey / Marissa Clarke said...

I write in binges and take breaks between. Helps me hold it together. My breaks are by choice, though. Poor Terri.

Tough start. I hope it gets easier.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes a break is a required thing...nice post.

Unknown said...

Wow! What a list! Stay positive and safe (disgruntled ex-employees - yikes!) and I'm sure things will turn around soon.