Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
We’re glad you’re here! It's the First Wednesday of the
month; when we celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a blog hop
featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer's
Support Group. Founded
by author Alex
Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded
associates, IWSG is a place to share the fabulous views and exciting news that
occurs along our fascinating writing journeys. Check out the January newsletter
here. Perusing the
many tips and resources offered here is definitely worthwhile and highly
rewarding, so pull up a comfy chair, or better yet - join
us!
Our awesome co-hosts for
this month's posting of the IWSG are: Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra
Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!
This
month’s optional question is:
What is the one thing about your writing career that you regret the
most? Were you able to overcome it?
My answer to the question, were I able to pin it down to
just one thing, would be the laughably unoriginal lament of never enough time. Albert
Einstein believed that the only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t
happen at once. But, would that be such a bad thing? With all the events that come with living out
of the way, there’d be all the time in the world left to write about everything
that had happened all at once. Or would there be any time left at all? I think
it best not to cast opportunity into the winds of regret and simply write any
time, all the time.
Would I change events in my life that preempted writing?
Not a chance. After all, a single moment recorded on a paper napkin could
conceivably inspire the novel that rocks the next generation.
I believe that writers in complete control of their
schedules are the luckiest among us struggling scribes. Still, even they are
not immune to time thieves, timelines, or the angst of “If only I knew then.” However,
they have realized, as Tennessee Williams suggests, that “Time is the longest
distance between two places,” and instead of attempting to bridge that
distance, they stroll comfortably along, with pen in hand, recording the
journey.
Wishing all of us the most productive year ever. Happy
2022!
“If time travel is possible, where are the
tourists from the future?” ~Stephen
Hawkings
I don't have regrets about events in my life either. And I wish I had total control over my writing time, but I don't. And sometimes I'm not as motivated as I could be when I have the time to write.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Natalie!
DeleteI hear you all the way! Perhaps we could help each other with motivation ;-) Or hide all distractions (including clothes) like Victor Hugo did when he feared he wouldn't make a deadline -ha!
Happy writing at a peaceful pace!
Everything happening at once - I think that just blew my morning frazzled mind.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteHaha! I thought I'd be the only one startled by that concept.
Everything happening at once would totally freak me out! Happy New Year, diedre, and happy writing. May you gain the time you need.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Debbie!
DeleteHappy writing to you as well ;-)
The key to slowing time may well be found in savoring every moment. I think I'll give that a try too.
Some very brilliant observations on time. Thanks for writing them out for us to read. This was a great way to start 2022! Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lee!
DeleteHappy New Year! It seems the subject of time is on the minds of many these days ;-) I guess all we can do is make the most of it.
Happy Writing, this month and always!
That was kind of mind-bending. All things happening at once? Yikes! I agree that there never seems to be enough time, but in my case it's usually a lack of organizing my time. That's my life I guess. And the older I get, the less time I seem to have--not just in the totality of time, but in the here and now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's why I've been watching more TV of late than I used to. And also why I don't seem to have that much time to get things done.
Maybe I'll change that tomorrow. Or maybe the next day. Someday.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Hi Arlee!
DeleteAs long as you're doing what you want to be doing, life is good;-)
If someone would have told me during those endless summer days of my youth that time would eventually accelerate to warp speed, I would not have believed it.
Any recommendations for TV watching?
Wishing pleasant days ahead for you!
Our favorites these days are Seinfeld (my wife had never seen any episodes before and she loves them--usually she doesn't care for comedy) and we binge watched the Showtime series Dexter--love that show! Other than those it's documentaries, news related shows, and old movies.
DeleteLee
Kramer sure knows how to enter a room ;-)
DeleteI just saw an ad for Dexter. Looks interesting. I watch a lot of history channel and Nat Geo documentaries, and those true crime shows make good background for number-crunching ;-)
Are there really writers in control of their schedules? It's frustrating that life keeps happening, and sometimes writing has to get pushed aside for a time. But all those experiences feed our writing too.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts about time!
Hi, Jenni
DeleteGood point! If nothing ever happened, what would fuel our inspirations?
Have a wonderful month!
Ah, time. Fleeting and fickle and such a convenient excuse! Still, I need more of it.
ReplyDeleteThe Warrior Muse
Hi Shannon!
DeleteHa! I think as long as we want more, we're still in the game ;-)
Happy writing!
Hi Diedre - everything happening at once is 'just too much, to think about'! Happy New Year and just enjoy life - which is time passing ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary!
DeleteSo true. Even as we lament the swiftness, time is always passing ;-)
Wishing you a joyous new year!
Love the Tennessee Williams quote! And wouldn't we all be better off if we took the observation to not attempt to bridge that distance, but stroll comfortably along, with pen in hand, recording the journey. Time passes, whether we enjoy it, or not.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lee!
DeleteYes, I think we would. While Mother Nature entices us to dally, Father Time is set on pushing us along. Those two really ought to get on the same page ;-)
Happy Writing!
What a well-written post. And there's never enough time is there?
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra!
DeleteThank you. Never enough is right ;-)
I love all the great quotes from these great wise people. Sigh, I do wish I had a regular writing schedule too. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Erika!
DeleteWanting to is half the battle ;-)
Here's to both of us making it happen!
dIEDRE ~
ReplyDeleteYip! A seeming lack of sufficient time is my biggest complaint, also!
I recently officially "retired" and one would think this would result in a gigantic time deposit in one's personal bank of opportunities. But, so far... NOPE! Somehow, something always sops up the extra time.
I guess when I die I'll have an unlimited supply of time... but then no body to use it doing... stuffs.
>>... “If time travel is possible, where are the tourists from the future?”
~ Stephen Hawking
That's a valid question.
But then again, who would want to come here and visit this mess? :^D
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Congratulations on retirement! Now you'll have time to explore the world around you. I hope you keep recording your hiking adventures, etc.
DeleteGood point about having visitors. we really need to clean house first ;-)
Enjoy!