Writing through the storms of life
No Comments »23rd July, 2007; Category: The Writer's Life
Lake Albert, Meningie, South Australia
Life throws up a few interesting storms from time to time.
Last week we went for a short five day holiday in Robe in the south east of South Australia. It wasn’t long enough to really relax, but we did have a good time despite several days of poor weather. On the first day in particular it was really dark, wild and stormy. I’ve written in more detail in It was a dark and stormy day on my birding blog.
Storms can interrupt the normal activities of life. We may have to cancel that picnic. We may have to make alternative arrangements for other outdoor activities. Many times storms bring damage to personal property – and can even injure us bodily.
Environmental storms can take many different forms. Many times we can see the storm approaching and make suitable preparations to avoid personal damage, or property damage.
More subtle, however, are the storms in life that we don’t see coming. Illness, career disappointments, setbacks, death, accidents and many other happenings can come on us unexpectedly. How we deal with them can set us apart from others.
Writers are not immune from the storms of life. Turmoil in the family can easily result from any unexpected event that causes distress. As a writer I find it very hard to focus on the writing task at hand when there is some crisis or problem to be faced in my life, or in the life of someone near and dear to me. Sometimes our priorities need refocusing. Sometimes the needs of others – or our own needs – must take priority over our writing. This can be a hard truth to come to terms with, but face it we must. Facing the problem with bitterness or anger can only lead to regret later. Staring the problem squarely in the face in defiance can strengthen us as people. The strongest trees have been battered by the storms – and have survived.
When the storm abates – and it usually does – get back to the writing with renewed vigour, enthusiasm and resolve. You are now a stronger, wiser person for the experience. Draw on that renewed strength and bring it to your writing.
Good writing.
Back to writing again
It has been a while since my last posting on this blog.
Three weeks in fact.
I’ve been busy – very busy. We’ve moved house. We still live in the same house but we’ve moved the furniture around in three of the rooms. I now have a “new” office. It is much more spacious than my old office and the view through the window is great though I now realise that the garden needs some tender loving care.
The move included emptying the old office completely ready for new carpet to be installed. We had furniture everywhere for a few days. Then we had boxes of gear piled up everywhere. Gradually things are taking shape again and we are gradually getting organised. I must post a photo of my new office; the bookshelves look most impressive.
Another interruption to my writing occurred last week. We went away for a short five day holiday with our daughter. This was far too short but still the experience has given my writing a great boost. Over the five days I gathered plenty of material for writing. The seaside has this special effect on me.
There was an interesting side issue to the break away from home. I took my laptop with me intending to do some writing while away. I never took it out of its carry bag! Instead I managed to read half a novel, the first time I’ve done this in many months.