insecure writers support group

#IWSG Writing Future

jenlanebooks
Join us HERE and thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the group.

Much appreciation to the co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG: Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

This month’s question: What would make you quit writing?

This question hits deep because I haven’t written fiction for about eight months. And I’m not feeling a current urge to write. But I won’t go so far to say I’ve quit–there’s a finality to that statement that doesn’t fit me right now. If I speculate about reasons for taking a break or even quitting writing, here’s what comes to mind:

  • Lackluster sales. There are so many books out there that it’s hard to capture reader’s attention. Still, I’m disappointed by sales of my last two novels, Rivals and Twin Sacrifice. I’m thankful for lovely reviews by readers devoting time to my books–I just wish there were more of them. Reviews, even critical ones, spark motivation in me.
  • Consuming career. I have high productivity goals and a fast pace in my psychologist position at an academic medical center. Therefore, I want to decompress on weeknights and weekends by swimming, reading, walking, socializing, playing volleyball, and watching TV. (Swimming laps outside in the summer is so relaxing!) The demands of my career have felt even more relentless this past year due to the pandemic worsening mental health for many, especially teenagers.
  • Time for a break. I started writing in 2007 and publishing in 2010, and maybe it’s just time to slow down. I like to write only when I’m inspired, and I don’t want to force it.

How are you feeling about writing? What inspires you to jump back into writing after a hiatus?

Image by AI Leino from Pixabay 

Published by jenlanebooks

26 thoughts on “#IWSG Writing Future”

  1. I agree: there is a big difference between taking a break and quitting. I think we all need to take a break from writing from time to time, but sooner or later, the urge to write will call us back again.

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  2. Hi,
    Try not to let sluggish sales get you down. So many people lost their jobs, lost loved ones and close friends, and many other things that are keeping them from buying a book and reading. That affects the self-employed including writers, heavily. You have a very demanding job and all the more so because of the pandemic. Many people are lost and you have to help them find a way back to normality. So do the same thing for yourself. If you haven’t maybe you might start writing a journal about your disappointments in sales, and the ambivalence that you feel about writing. Maybe that will kick start something within that helps you make a decision. Obviously, you’re on the right track. You’re taking a break. Be gentle with yourself and enjoy that break. Your writing spirit has more than enough patience to wait until you come back.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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    1. Thank you for the encouragement and good advice, Pat! 🙂 I can’t comment on your blog from my MacBook, but you raised some barriers to writing I didn’t think about–let’s hope all of us don’t run into disabilities or other reasons we have to quit.

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  3. I think it’s good to take a break sometimes. When I was a full-time lawyer, mom, and wife, I had to take many long breaks because I was just too busy to write. Don’t force the writing when you feel like you do. Much as writing is awesome, it’s great that you have another fulfilling career that supports you. It’s important to focus on that and your family.

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    1. Hey Natalie, that past pace of yours sounds uber busy! I’m so glad you have an easier balance with life and health care these days. I do feel grateful for my awesome psychologist job. ❤

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  8. I agree with Pat Garcia’s heartfelt comments. Your job is important and demanding, especially during this pandemic. Before I retired from teaching, 60-70 hour weeks were routine, leaving little time for writing ‘between’ all those other commitments. Dare I say I love retirement? Know that every decade brings a new set of challenges. Nurturing your creative self despite all else is truly important. I would vote for the journal, no stress, short entries that catch the essence of your feelings, perhaps poetry. May the good karma you are sending out come back to you!

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    1. Hi, Beth! Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m happy for you that you love retirement. You certainly earned it! I have trouble commenting on blogger from my MacBook, but I’m glad you have been inspired by IWSG challenges. Yakisoba noodles sound yummy, and I love that version of Over the Rainbow as well!

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      1. IWSG does more than bring us together once a month! It’s truly a pleasure to connect with others who care about writing and the writing process. And I think I need to find a recipe so I can make yakisoba at home! Have a great month.

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  11. Taking a break is sometimes a simple necessity. I take frequent breaks, as normally little writing (beyond a journal that’s more like a log) happens when I travel–which I do a lot. But that’s a far cry from quitting. If you need a break, you take on. You haven’t quit 🙂

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