It’s the 1st Wednesday of the month again. That’s when I take part in Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Thank you to this month’s IWSG co-hosts for the August 7 posting of the IWSG: Renee Scattergood, Sadira Stone, Jacqui Murray, Tamara Narayan, and LG Keltner! This month, rather than answering the optional question of the month, I will be talking about starting over as a writer.
Starting Over
Since Dan died on April 26th, it has been really hard for me to find the “on” button. Finding time to write in the midst of starting over has been difficult. There have been a few days here and there when there were holes in my schedule and I could spend more time on my laptop doing things that weren’t related to insurance appeals, or other time-consuming endeavors. But then, it became difficult to write. For the first time, I really felt like I had writer’s block. My concentration was terrible and my memory seemed to malfunction on a regular basis.
It feels like along with losing my husband, I have lost the one way I could express myself.
I went from being a writer to being a widow who used to write.
I knew that I would be starting over without Dan, but I never thought it would be this hard on my writing. In fact, I always thought that writing would be integral to my healing as I was starting over.
Light in the Darkness
I am finding glimpses of the goals that I was pursuing before Dan got extremely sick. I like to have different projects in process, which reflect different aspects of my creative process; writing, editing, formatting, and publishing. Currently, I am working on the following projects:
- I’m preparing an updated, revised edition of Facing Cancer as a Friend. I will be getting a proof copy this week.
- I’ve also been working on Facing Cancer as a Caregiver. That involves a lot of heavy editing.
- I have even done a little bit of new writing, putting my thoughts on paper as they come to me. Mostly this has involved responding to grief.
My hope is that each IWSG Wednesday, I will feel a bit more like the writer I was, and even more like the writer I will be.
What Are YOUR Thoughts?
I’d love to hear in the comment section, below. I appreciate my readers as well as the writing community. To show that appreciation, I use Comment Luv. Just leave a comment below and your latest post will get a link next to it. Thank you!
About Heather Erickson
I am an author, writer, and speaker and homeschooling mom of 3. Since doctors diagnosed my husband, Dan with stage IV lung cancer in 2012, I’ve focused my writing and speaking on helping cancer patients and their families advocate for themselves and live life to the fullest, in spite of their illness. My goal is to help people face cancer with grace. My books are available at Amazon.com:
Facing Cancer as a Friend: How to Support Someone Who Has Cancer
Facing Cancer as a Parent: Helping Your Children Cope with Your Cancer
I also blog about living with cancer at Facing Cancer with Grace.
12 comments on “Starting Over #IWSG Wednesday”
Sadira Stone
August 7, 2019 at 2:16 pmHeather, I’m so sorry to hear about your family’s loss. My mom is fighting cancer now, and we’ll look at your blog together.
heatherericksonauthor
August 7, 2019 at 4:57 pmHi Sandira. Thank you. I’m sorry that your mom is going through this. Hopefully, you will both find facingcancerwithgrace.com helpful. Best wishes to you both!
Jacqui Murray
August 7, 2019 at 2:24 pmI didn’t know Dan died. How did I miss that? I’m so sorry. Me, I don’t think I would start over or anything else. You were as close to Dan as I am to my husband. My thoughts are with you.
heatherericksonauthor
August 7, 2019 at 5:16 pmHi Jacqui. Dan was at home on hospice throughout April. I had my A to Z posts scheduled, but my commenting on other blogs took a nosedive. So, it was easy to miss what was happening behind the scenes. Thank you for your thoughtful words. <3
Alex J. Cavanaugh
August 7, 2019 at 6:12 pmHeather, so sorry! I didn’t realize he was gone other. My prayers for you.
C. Lee McKenzie lost her husband last year – if you need to talk to someone who would understand where you’re at with your writing and life.
heatherericksonauthor
August 9, 2019 at 8:33 pmThank you, Alex. Have a wonderful week!
Liz A.
August 7, 2019 at 9:54 pmPerhaps what you should be doing right now is writing about what you’re feeling rather than trying to get anything finished. It hasn’t been that long, and you’re going to need time to find your new normal. Not that I know what I’m talking about here… It’s just a thought that maybe your writing can help you through right now.
heatherericksonauthor
August 9, 2019 at 9:20 pmI think that is wise advice, Liz. Thank you. 🙂
Renee Scattergood
August 7, 2019 at 11:52 pmSo sorry to hear about your husband. I’d go nuts.
It’s great that you’re getting back into writing. I’m sure you’ll find your groove soon.
heatherericksonauthor
August 9, 2019 at 9:24 pmThank you, Renee. I hope so. It feels like writing is becoming easier, and more important for my sanity.
Tamara Ann Narayan
August 15, 2019 at 6:49 pmI am so sorry to hear about your husband. Good for you for turning your writing skills toward such an important topic. I have had experience as a caregiver to my husband when he went through treatment for brain cancer. We were so fortunate that his story had a happy ending and he is still with us. Unfortunately, a close friend and colleague of his passed away just days ago to brain cancer.
heatherericksonauthor
August 15, 2019 at 10:29 pmHi Tamara. I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s friend. That must have been especially hard because it hit so close to home. I’m glad to hear that your husband is doing well.