A Telling Example

My last four Blogs were on the subject of Writer’s Block. Then I moved on to the use of photographs as inspiration for writing, beginning with Writing Tip #16 and Writing Exercise #16, both posted on 2^nd June and the latter promising a Blog to follow soon on the relationship between photography and writing.

Six weeks later and I’m lining up to post this Blog, which precedes the promised one about photos and writing. What went wrong? you may ask… Did I fall foul to that terrible fiend Writer’s Block? Have I lost interest in my website? Given up writing? Gone crazy? Lost my creative muse? Gone overseas and left my computer behind?

None of these possibilities neatly fits what has happened. I am not blocked, nor disinterested. I haven’t given up or gone crazy. My muse still hovers, pushing me to get words on the page, and my computer has gone everywhere I’ve ventured.

What then?

The truth is that my family has been rocked by seven deaths since the end of last September, five within the past two months. Five family members and two friends are gone and we are shattered. Of these deaths, two were suicides, one was murder and another was an aggressive illness that took my sister within weeks.

The impact on the family, the grief, input into proceedings, travelling to funerals and time away from home, have all been distracting. They were also time-consuming and exhausting.

Have I wanted to write during this time? Yes…

Have I written anything at all in the last six weeks? Yes… Tributes to my sister for her funeral and on social media, Family History research summaries, Letters, Emails and a little re-writing on my manuscript.

Have I kept up with my writing commitments? No… I’ve fallen behind in the major re-write of my memoir and will not meet my desired deadline, my Blogs have been delayed, and planned updates and additions to my website have been put on hold, as has the production of my poetry discs.

And now? I’ve lost some time, but am eager to get back to work… post this Blog, followed by the next one and new Writing Tips and Exercises, and ultimately add to my website and finish the poetry recordings. The draft of my memoir is on the desk, where I will return to working on it tomorrow.

What I have been through is a perfect example of the situation I wrote about in my Blog Writer’s Block – Part C. There I spoke of the difference between making excuses not to write by saying conditions were not right to create, and having to face the reality of life’s challenges.

The terrible events that descended on my family have been out of our control, they had a devastating impact and have ripped us from our usual routines – both personally and professionally.

When this happens, there is no choice but to take the time to deal with the circumstances that surround us. The time I haven’t spent writing is akin to the compassionate leave I would have taken had I worked in some other industry.

What is important is that I didn’t totally disappear, and I am back with my muse intact and waiting for me.

My next Blog will explore the relationship between photographs and writing.                                                                               

Please share your thoughts in the Comments section below…