IWSG June: Replace Writing????

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. For more about IWSG, see below!

This month, the optional question is: If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with? 

I can't imagine not writing. The seemingly simple challenge of writing is such a part of me, whether with keyboard or pen, or a mix of drawing and writing. On one level, writing is a daily commitment. On another, writing allows me to connect more deeply with what's happening around me -- and inside, what I'm thinking and feeling. Stop writing? Nah.

In fact, I have a friend about my age who is writing her first poem. She e-mailed me, asking how I do this because it's so hard -- and easier to send that Hallmark greeting card. Yet she is trying to write a poem to comfort a woman who lost her husband, calling up memories of her own loss. How can I tell her that her poem is the deepest gift.

So, if the words did finally leave, what would I replace that loss with? I only can say we're not made of one dimension. Each connection outside of ourselves and within is important. So I would probably dive into another interest -- quilting, reading, walking, maybe even cooking (although after nearly 80 years, I have to confess that cooking is getting a little boring). Oh, and that new interest that popped up this spring, watercolor. Do you know that youtube has amazing mini-lessons for beginners?

Update on the writing: After last month's meeting with my writing partner, I faced anew my current wip and chopped out 4K words. That mss has been wrestled into a working shape with recognizable scene progressions, a flexible map for each section, and a nice 35K word overall draft (goal maybe 70K). I know who my characters are and where they're going. What's next: Having fun with plot twists and asking, oh dear, what can go wrong now!

What was fun this last writing session? Researching Egyptian proverbs and putting them in my draft. Here's one to pique your interest. Plus a picture from our trip so long ago to Giza:

What is still hidden is more than what has been revealed so far.

--Egyptian proverb

More about the Insecure Writer's Support Group: The Insecure Writer's Support Group provides rich resources for writers at every stage, from writing tips, to newsletters, to lists of additional resources on self-publishing, marketing, and more. To prompt our writing and build a community of writers, IWSG also posts a challenge question each month. As the guidelines say:

Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. 

Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the June 7 posting of the IWSG are Patrcia Josephine, Diedre Knight, Olga Godim, J. Lenni Dorner, and Cathrina Constantine!

Why not join our community of 121 IWSG writers. Go HERE to find a few new writers to visit.