I have always found that being a writer is an asset in many ways but in unusual circumstances it becomes a great asset. Sitting for long periods of time in a hospital room or a rehab center when a loved one has a prolonged and serious illness, as my husband has suffered recently, can be draining and wearying since you need to be there but you can't help with what is needed medically. But, as a writer, I can be present for him and write too. With a pad and pen, laptop and Ipad I can work almost anywhere. I have reviewed my critique group members' manuscripts for the meeting last week (Writers - they are in the mail!) and work on my own manuscipts. I can revise, revise, revise, updating changes on the laptop or home computer at night. At the same time I get to travel to the locales of each story, to a supernatural new world of one colleague and a local high school of another colleague's current WIP where the MC struggles with his unique problems. I can travel to the Himalaya Mountains, scene of a new PB manuscript of mine or back in time to medieval England which is the setting for a historical fiction PB that I am working on. As Julie mentioned on her last post here, one goal of a writer is to keep the story going and moving forward, even if it is a little at a time. So I keep up with my characters' journeys and the changes in the plots and protagonists of the blossoming books of my writing colleagues.
Monday, May 28, 2012
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One of the many things I love about being a writer is travel -- by brain or by plane. You can do it anywhere, and think about it anywhere. It can be a real release valve too. Sometimes I get distracted by the sheer enormity of possibilities -- settings can be anywhere in the world, or out of it, plots can take so many turns, and characters can take years to get to know -- but I love that too. Still thinking of you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteWow, Eileen. I'm impressed. But sometimes great work can be done simply by inching forward. I'm so glad you've been able to keep up with your work.
ReplyDeleteAnd we'll all keep thinking good thoughts for you and Ed.
Eileen,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on a post at a difficult time. I'm wishing your husband well and you too. This was a great look at how much writing means to us especially under stressful circumstances.
Julie, I loved your "by brain or by plane" statement. May I credit you with that on the blog I just started for children? My contact information is landersen74@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Eileen,
ReplyDeleteBest get well wishes to Ed and best caregiver wishes to you. Yes, writing can go on, even under difficult circumstances. Actually, the time you spend pondering writing problems gives your mind a vacation from health worries - a good thing.