Writing Withdrawals
Today I went to WIN, my local writer’s meeting. We’re going through Donald Maass’, Writing the Breakout Novel workbook. Only problem is I’m not writing a novel right now. One of my struggles has been whether to attend this meeting, so I went to see how I’d feel. After sharing with the group about not writing, I shared about a book I was brainstorming, not knowing if I’d sound hypocritical. But I didn’t care. I got so excited about this new idea I had to have some kind of outlet. I figured going through the workbook with a novel I wasn’t actually writing would be safe enough.
As I talked about my proposed WIP, I felt like a teenager in love. My heart rate increased, and I felt anxious and excited to talk about it. My insides felt a little jittery, but that could have been from the half a dozen chocolate coated coffee beans I ate before the meeting to wake me up!
The writer inside of me stirred as I sat through the meeting, but through it all I felt the peace of God. I listened to the writer raves of others, and I can honestly say I felt happy for them. Usually I get a little anxious about my own career, but as I sat across from a writer who just showed off her first grandchild and has had several books published in the last couple of years with contracts continuing to come in, I felt God whisper to me, “See, there’s plenty of time for you.”
So why are so many of us anxious? Why do we want what others have, and miss the joys of what we do have? That’s how it is for me more times than I care to admit. So many moms whose little ones are grown and gone often tell me “enjoy them while they’re young, because they grow up so fast.” I know that’s true so as I walk out this season in my writing life, I’ll try and focus on the gift that God is really giving me. The gift of more time with my children. I know one day I will look back and not feel any regret from pulling away from my writing.
I know others may not agree with this philosophy of giving up things for the sake of your children. My friend, Paula, has a post about it on her blog. But I know that God will honor our selfless sacrifices to our children and bless us with more than we could possibly dream ourselves.
My StumbleUpon Page
Beautiful, Gina. Thanks for the reminders.
April 1st, 2006 at 6:10 pmSweet post, and thoughtful reminders of what motherhood is all about. I so agree with you and Paula. The writer in me was put on hold for many years, but now I’m 50 and back again (writing)…with no regrets for the time spent raising a family. Allow me to tip my red hat to you!
April 2nd, 2006 at 12:21 amhey girl…i came over from paula’s blog
i just want to encourage you to stay close to your family and be there for your children. i was homeschooled k-12 and while a lot of kids looked at me funny when they heard it, a lot of them were amazed and actually wanted to be homeschooled. they thought it was the coolest thing to have the attention of your parents!
i know sometimes friends, neighbors, and even family can discourage it and say you’re crazy but when your children aren’t on the streets, out late, and getting in trouble they will realize you made some great choices! you made the choice to invest in your children, not in work, in hobbies, not in something outside of the home - but rather you followed your heart in being where you wanted to be and made sacrifices accordingly! this will mean worlds to your children…if not now, in the future!
keep going girl!
April 2nd, 2006 at 10:52 amLadies, Thanks so much for the encouragement. It makes the journey easier knowing there are people like you supporting me!
Gina
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:19 amYou are doing God’s purpose….for your life. There is no greater thing!
Diane
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:45 am[…] feeling my loss of writing so tremendously right now. Before this contest business, I had a sort of peace about not […]
January 30th, 2007 at 4:50 pm