I'm delighted to back with celebrating the Insecure Writer's Support Group the first of the month after several months of hiatus.
Applause all around for the awesome co-hosts for the the July 1 posting of the IWSG will be Charity Bradford, S.A. Larsen, AJ, Tamara Narayan, Allison Gammons, and Tanya Miranda!
I wish I could say my hiatus was for something fun like traveling the world and hitting lottery.... alas it was not to be.
Much to our shock the doctor's discovered that my husband developed squamous cell skin carcinoma on his eyeball, inside his lower eyelid and eye socket. After three surgeries and plenty of down time, my husband is now back to work after a little more than two months of recovery time. Thankfully the brilliant surgeons were able to save his eyeball and with extensive reconstructive surgery he is just dealing with a lazy eyelid and a bit of blurry vision this time. I urge you all the protect yourself and your loved one's from the harmful sun. I'm not saying not to enjoy the great outdoors, but be sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and hats!
Now, how do I get back into the groove of my writing and book promotion? I feel like I've lost a tremendous amount of progress in both categories. I've been taking the time over the last few days to get myself reorganized and plan on getting my July newsletter out before the July 4th holiday.
Does anyone have any suggestions in not loosing one's mojo when dealing with a family crisis without exhausting one's self? I blogged a couple of times and actually released my June newsletter, but otherwise I took the easy way out and put my writing and book promotion on the back burner. My day job was and still is a fantastic support during my husband's health crisis and I'm eternally grateful for The Salvation Army, where I began work in January of this year.
Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!
Thank you!
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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Purple Dragonfly 2015 Award First Place Historical Fiction and Story Monster Approved 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Purple Dragonfly 2015 Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6 & Older and New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
Thank God your husband is all right now! I'm sure that was a scary time for both of you. I wouldn't stress losing a little momentum - your husband came first.
ReplyDeleteJust ease back in and start priming the pump again.
Thanks for your well wishes and your sound advice, much appreciated!
DeleteI'm so glad to hear Tom is doing well, Donna. What a scary situation! Sun protection is so very important, but I always think of skin, not eye balls. Will continue to keep you both in prayer!
ReplyDeleteIn terms of easing back into your writing life, I've no doubt you will do so. Just find something that speaks to your heart, calls to you, and sit down with it and just play around. Word by word, sentence by sentence, your story will grow! Good luck, my friend!
Sound advice my lovely friend! Thanks for the well wishes and support. I truly appreciate it!
DeleteOh my goodness! Bless those wonderful surgeons.
ReplyDeleteWriting is a habit. You just have to form it again.
Definitely back to forming my writing habit. Thanks for your well wishes!
DeleteI'm glad your husband is OK. I think it's important to remember to take care of yourself. The world is always going to go on, there's always going to be more to do, but it's OK to slow down, look after yourself and your family. Even if you're behind, don't beat yourself up.
ReplyDeleteI do think that creative arts, writing, art, anything you love that is allowing you to create, can be very healing. I hope your mojo is restored by a project you're excited about. Thanks for sharing your struggles. Even reading this I know I give myself a hard time often if I fall behind in my goals.
Thank you for your words of wisdom! You've eased my mind. I'm delighted to have connected with you through #IWSG!
DeleteI'm glad your husband is okay and that you're back! Take your timing with getting back into writing and promotion. When life happens, it's only right and fair that these things go on the back burner. Ease back in slowly and you'll be back to where you left off soon enough. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely to reconnect with you again...Chrys. Thanks for your sound advice, which I plan on taking!
DeleteI'm glad your husband is okay. Honestly, with things like that, putting writing on the back burner is probably the best. There are some situations where it's just best if we focus on the people who need us. If you can find a moment to get writing in or writing helps you cope during that time then do it, but don't add more stress by worrying over not getting those words in.
ReplyDeleteNow that you're back though, just start writing. Your flow will come back in no time.
Thanks lovely Patricia for your sound advice. You've eased my mind. Hope you are well!
DeleteHi Donna. How about fictionalizing your dreams? That should get the writing pump primed. I've been blessed with some rather cinematic dreams which I feel would make great fiction stories. I hope you have as well. My hiatus from blogging should allow me to unleash my writing muse and create some good stories.
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad your husband's operations went well. Now you can concentrate on writing.
Thank God your husband's doing better now. Life sometimes is so scary. Sending hugs and prayers for good days ahead for you both. Family is what's important. Take your time with the writing. It will return.
ReplyDelete