What happens when you don’t write …
If you boiled me down to the essence of my being, what would be left in the cauldren is this sentence:
What happens if we do ‘this’?
For me, life is one massive experiment. Cause and effect, and all the extraneous details that remain but are largely irrelevant.
I’m two weeks away from the end of my first semester at writing school, and I don’t know the impact of that study on my writing because I simply have not had time to write. Sure, I’ve had writing assignments, but my urge to pick up slithers of the day and bring them back to the computer to compose into something more meaningful, it’s gone. That urge has burnt up like light rain before it hits the ground.
I haven’t built a new blog because I haven’t had time. It will come, hopefully during the mid year break (somewhere in between boys’ birthdays and a trip up the north coast of New South Wales).
Blogging is time consuming, and in that respect, costly, but not writing regularly comes at a greater cost.
So if this past 4 months were an experiment, the hypothesis would have been:
What happens if we stop using social media and cram as much into our lives as we physically can? Swimming, kinder gym, school, writing school, Mr Karen’s long hours, 3 energetic kids, a geriatric house, 4 hens, a dog and a cat …
The answer would be, stuff. Lots of stuff happens. And lots of bin days too (again?!). But not much writing.
I may or may not be back here.
18 Responses to “What happens when you don’t write …”
Yeah but the HD marks are worth the effort !
I swear we live parallel lives, Karen. You on the east cost and me on the west. I still think in blog posts but have lost the inclination to write, blog. Blogging has somehow ended up on the bottom of the pile. Maybe because I’m not quite sure exactly what I wanna blog about. My blog feels like an idea on the tip of my tongue, something I can’t yet articulate. Lovely to hear from you, hope you are enjoying the study!
I just checked your blog and couldn’t get through. So glad you’re still around, I’ve missed my bloggy friends dearly. x
Still around. Blog is down for a bit while I figure some stuff out. Will no doubt be back as I’m not willing to cut all ties! I remember what I love about blogging every time I read one of your posts! x
Not to worry, Karen. This is just a stage in life where time allotments are better spent–well, where you’re spending them. There’s only so many hours in a day and I’m sure you’ll be back–even if we have to be drip fed for now. I like to think ‘journey’ rather than ‘destination’. That always lets me off any hook I find myself dangling from. Much admiration for YOU. XX
Just wanted to let you know, I’ve followed your blog because I was inspired by your writing. I love to write and I attend a creative writing class. Your blog, your honest and courageous writing, encouraged me to write honestly.
I want to thank you for your inspiration. I also want you to know that your writing has probably made more of an impact on people that you’ll ever know. People just like me, who are out here gaining inspiration from you without you even being aware of it.
Whatever you decide is best for you regarding your blog, I wish you all the best, and thanks again for all the inspiration.
This is just about the nicest comment ever. Thank you x
I am excited to see you. A great many bin days here too. No social media and very little blogging. But a lot of writing off the page…
xx
Love what Gill said … “I remember what I love about blogging every time I read one of your posts.” LOVE.
The beauty is, it’s the internet … like Kenickie says, “Rules are, there ain’t no rules.” You come back whenever, start your new blog whenever.
But I hope you know, you are a most talented and exquisite writer/thinker/person/human. Most.
xx
You’re more one. x
It’s so nice to read one of your posts again. Like you and Gill, I haven’t been writing on my blog. Something happened at the stroke of midnight as 2011 passed into 2012, I’ve left the blogging ballroom and am back in the daily swing of life, with one glass slipper in my pocket but without the urge to blog. And I’ve been so stressed about whipping my novel into shape to send back to the agents who are waiting for it, I seem to be in a paralysis there too. But, it will return – I’m here commenting on one of my favourite blogger’s blog. And anyone who can write ‘That urge has burnt up like light rain before it hits the ground.’ is still writing.
Jx
I’m with you Jen, Karen, Gill… I gave up reading and writing consistently on my blog last year but I put more time into my creative writing.
I miss the Ink Paper Pen prompts and reading all the clever writers.
I’ve learnt so much in a year and I have just made it through the submission gates to editors. Now to wait for a month or so.
In my experience, the ‘Writer’s Network’ is strong and something that can last with/out a blog.
‘Nothing learnt is ever wasted’ that’s at the core of my essence Karen.
You’ll get back to the creative page and I’m sure it’s going to be wonderful.
(Can’t wait to read your novel too Jen)
Best wishes from the North. x
I love that we have all found a place here to talk about not writing and/or not blogging and what it means to us.
Similar for me, work, motherhood – it’s a full life and when I sit down to write it doesn’t come easily. Or it flows, but I don’t know what to make of it when it does. My posts have been few and I don’t always love the way they sound to me.
Let’s just all keep in view that it’s not for always, it’s just for now. The writing, the blogging. When we choose to, we can come back to it. It’s not forever, it’s not for now.
Such a coincidence that I came looking for you today because I thought ‘I haven’t heard from Karen for weeks’!
This week and the next for me are out of control busy from a work point of view and and I have resigned myself to getting very little writing done. And I tell you what, only 3 days in and it hurts to not write what’s in my head when I’ve gotten used to having the time to do so!
For me sometimes whatever it is that blogging satisfied is sometimes satisfied by other things in my life. And then I don’t write much either. x
Just snoopin’ round.
*RANDOM HI-FIVE*
xxx
Make yourself at home. x
Karen – I’ve missed this one too… I’ve been wondering how your experiment went! I’m weighing up this very thing now. How costly is it?… the social media thing I could do without. But writing… writing pulls me back. But there’s so much freedom on doing on our own terms, yes? Missed you so much. Hope to read you again soon in whatever form that will be. xx