When Distraction is the Answer

 So… I’m an intensely private person. Some of you may have noticed since I tend to stick to the topic of writing and rarely share anything about the real me. At the beginning of the year, I mentioned I got very sick, but I didn’t even say what it was. It was shingles and it was located on the top left quarter of my face and head, including around my eye. The pain was debilitating, like constant waves of searing torture alongside the sensation of someone drilling a rusty nail into my head. 

I suffered severe nerve damage as a result and discovered a new kind of pain: the constant sensation of stinging fire ants crawling around my face, a rash of a thousand sharp needles puncturing my head, and an eye that could barely move or focus and in constant pain. And it all got shockingly worse if a wind blew or any form of heat brushed my forehead… and sneezing was right out. And then there’s the intense itching that makes it worse again. 

All this wiped me out physically. I could barely walk to the end of the street. I couldn’t read or write because my eye hurt too much. I’m surprised I got as many blog posts out as I did. 

This state of debilitation remained the same for eight months. Each month I had to fight depression even though each month, I got a little stronger. The painkillers I’m on also make me ditsy and unsteady on my feet. Thinking clearly is a struggle, along with expressing myself. Writing this out, formulating these words, has taken way longer than it should. And don’t get me started on the doctors. Some were exceptional, but some… let’s just say they should not be practicing. 

Distraction has been key. I’ve listened to lots of audio books while completing jigsaw puzzles or just lying on the couch. And last month, my adorable husband whisked me away on an extended holiday to Tasmania. 

Oh. My. Gosh. Tasmania is beautiful. Gorgeous. Incredible. All the adjectives. We went on many hikes through lush rainforests, along rugged coastlines, and high up mountains. The first few almost killed me, but we took them slowly, and I got so much stronger. By the end we were completing three-hour hikes in less than three hours. I lost count of all the waterfalls. 

Coming toward the nine-month mark, the constant pain has lessened, though still very present, and I’m able to read again, though not for too long. The improvement makes me so very happy, but I still have a long way to go.

Anyway, I thought I'd share this to explain my absence, and maybe help anyone going through something similar. The proverbial light at the end of a very long tunnel does exist.

Have you ever had or know anyone who’s had shingles or anything as debilitating? Tell me your stories or share something awesome that’s happened recently. 

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

When You've got Nothing

I was going to say, "I've got nothing for this month. I'm just checking in to say hi and hope everyone is well." But then that gave me inspiration. What do you do when you have nothing, when you're empty of inspiration, when no words are coming?

Sometimes having nothing is inspiration in the waiting. If we stop with nothing, then that's all we'll end up with. But if we sit down and just start to type or handwrite or talk or whatever is your thing, then something starts to happen. When you have nothing, it's ok to write gibberish. The act of recording words, random thoughts, vignettes, can be all it takes to kick start a new story, a new chapter, something.

Sometimes when we have nothing, there's a reason. Life is tough, time is short, and you need to focus elsewhere. And that's ok. Necessary, even. It's important to be kind to yourself and not stress too much over the fact you might not be currently writing up a storm. 

Sometimes having nothing means you need to get out there and fill up your creativity well. Life is inspiration. Get out and live a little. Do something different, something scary, something adventurous. Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. Play a game. Read a book you wouldn't normally pick. Say hi to a friend.

Now that's all I've got... and that too is ok.

What do you do when inspiration is low?

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

Dealing with Distractions #IWSG

IWSG Question of the month: How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you? 

For me, the biggest distraction from writing is noise. Noisy neighbours, construction clanging and banging, angle grinders, people talking around me or to me.

My solution: Headphones and carefully curated playlists. 

When I write, I can't listen to music with lyrics. It has to be instrumental only. Often I'll pick music that matches the mood of the scene I'm writing. I have a huge playlist full of epic cinematic style music. James Paget, Michael Maas, Hans Zimmer, deadmau5, Steve Jablonsky. and some Thirty Seconds to Mars. To name a handful. Mostly big sounds. I also have a collection of softer music too, but my heart is with the big stuff.

How about you? What's your biggest distraction and how do you cope?

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

The Joy of Blogging #IWSG

The question of the month: How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

I started blogging about fourteen years ago. Blogging in general was probably at its peak in popularity with a huge community taking part. When I started, I was so enthusiastic that I blogged every day.

My first blog was Christian based with devotional thoughts every day. Then I added a writing blog (this one). I quickly learned I couldn't maintain the output so I dropped the frequency of posts and then I eventually let go my Christian blog and turned it into a book instead: Cling to God: 365-Day Devotional

I've met so many wonderful people over the years through blogging. Some have disappeared completely. Many stopped blogging once they got agents and published, turning to other social media. But a whole lot are still here.

Today blogging is probably considered a dinosaur in the social media world. If not for the IWSG, I would've stopped blogging too, but the community is a treasure to keep and I do love the long form of blogging, which is very different to the blip media out there.

How about you? What's been your blogging journey? What is it about blogging that keeps you tapping away at the keys?

 

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

 

Using AI for Synopses #IWSG

The IWSG question of the month is about AI. Have you used AI to write synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?

In terms of AIs impact on creative writing, I have already written a post about why AIs won't replace creative writers. You can check it out here. 

In terms of writing the synopsis of a book, it's great to give us a hand, but it's not the time saver you'd expect. In output of AI will always need an edit, and you have to give it lots of information for it to work properly, ie a blurb, a detailed summary, or an outline. The more information, the better. Please, never use the raw AI material. 

If you've tried AI, what was your experience with it? If you haven't tried it, what's holding you back?

Note: I'm still recovering from my illness. On pain meds and so very tired all the time. Not a happy camper. And then I went and got Covid as well, thus my recent silence. I have recovered from that fun experience, at least. There is always something to celebrate! 

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.