Fitting life around writing

I’m just back from a 2 1/2 day writing retreat in Brownville, Nebraska at a bed-and-breakfast converted riverboat on the Missouri River. Many thanks to Karen Gettert Shoemaker and Teri Youmans Grimm for hosting the retreat. I had a chance to connect with a group of amazing writers.

During our last workshop of the retreat, Teri shared some sage advice about changing the way we think about our writing. Instead of fitting our writing in around everything else in our lives, what if we fit everything else in around our writing? The ground shifted beneath my feet (and not because I was on a boat on the Missouri).

I’m at a stage in life where I’m only responsible for myself. What’s the worst that could happen if I put the writing as the main priority instead of my job or conjuring up imaginary scenarios of all the dire things that could happen?

The answer: I’d have to abandon all the excuses I use not to write. I’d have to not only give myself permission to do something I love, but I’d also have to accept and act on that permission. I’m still pondering the implications. It seems radical, but my gut is telling me that when (not if) I make writing a priority and fit everything else in around the writing, it will be an incredibly freeing experience.

I’ll keep you posted.