Posted on by Sonia Dogra

IWSG August – Writing & Conflicting Emotions

The first Wednesday of August has come knocking pretty soon and it’s time for yet another IWSG post. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a group for writers – new, old, from across the world – where they can share their journey and encourage each other. Writing is a lonely journey, and we can always do with tons of support! If you’d like to join, please visit here.

Every month on the IWSG Day I recount the writing month gone by and also like to talk about the books I’m reading. This month, sadly, I have nothing to show as far as writing is concerned. No publications and no submissions sent out. I’ve been trying to edit some poems, but without much success. This year in the month of January, my father had a medical condition and ever since, I’ve been busy as a caregiver. At first, I thought I could balance it all, and continued to send out submissions, meet deadlines, read blogs, etc., etc. besides taking up freelance assignments at work. Gradually, it all began to tire me. I tried to stick it out but in June my husband’s mother fell very ill, and we were doing rounds of hospitals yet again. By the time it was July, I had exhausted my creative energy. Only a creative would understand what it takes to be able to make something new, to be able to create. For everyone else, you just need to find time!

So nowadays, my visits to the blogs of friends are few and far between. My own blog sees light only on the first Wednesday of every month and hence I am grateful to be a part of the IWSG, where there’s no judgement, but simple sharing of a writer’s insecurities. The ‘Just Keep Writing’ logo is encouraging, though.

Last month I spoke about Manto’s short stories and Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand. Saadat Hasan Manto was certainly very entertaining. Flavoured with human emotions and absurdities, his stories were a blend of humour and delicate and complex conditions. The language was difficult but most stories were page turners. The ordinariness of life captured in exceptional tales. I am still reading The Tomb of Sand, which is a heavy book. At the same time, I’ve been trying to read some poems by Bukowski (Betting on the Muse). I loved ‘The Laughing Heart’ with its beautiful optimism.

And now, for this month’s question.  

August 2 question: Have you ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let it stay how it was, take it out, or rewrite it?

 Many, many times! Especially, when I’ve slept over a piece of writing. I’ve had various conflicting thoughts and have often gone on to rewrite it. We change every single moment, and sometimes take time to learn about something. How about you?

The awesome co-hosts for the August 2 posting of the IWSG are Kate Larkinsdale, Diane Burton, Janet Alcorn, and Shannon Lawrence!

It is also the month for the WEP posting. Join us with your flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays! Click here to find more.

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22 Replies to “IWSG August – Writing & Conflicting Emotions”

  1. Sonia, I salute you for all that you do. Hopefully working for WEP and writing for WEP is not too onerous. I know how much physical and emotional energy caregiving takes. Carers need so much respect!

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  2. I feel the same way about the monthly questions – I love having someone else give me the theme and it takes the pressure off. It sounds like you have every reason to take a break though!

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  3. Being a caregiver takes a lot of energy, both emotional/mental and physical. Things will inevitably fall by the wayside, and that’s completely okay. I hope you find your creativity and time to be creative soon, but please don’t beat yourself up in the meantime. (Shannon @thewarriormuse dot com)

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  5. Being a caregiver to a parent is a physical and emotional challenge. It’s draining in a way I never expected – your creativity well will refill, but it does take time and rest *hugs*

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  6. Thank you for your thoughtful post today, especially given those challenging commitments you face to care for those you love. Even some writing can nurture our creativity during stressful times. One suggestion that helps me is to say it’s really OK to take a day off now and then. Perseverence furthers! May the rest of the summer go well for you.

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  7. I am sorry you are going through a difficult time, Sonia. When our loved ones aren’t well, it’s never easy. It is difficult to stay with the creative ideas when the mind is busy with thoughts all over the place. Hugs.

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  12. I’m sorry to hear of your father’s and mother-in-law’s health struggles. I’ve been a caregiver, and it’s so, so hard. I hope you can cut yourself some slack on the writing front and take care of yourself. Some seasons of life are more conducive to creative work than others.

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  13. Nothing goes to waste in the life of a creative mind. Each task, each draining experience sows the seed of an image, a thought, a feeling, a longing that will, over time, germinate into words that will surprise you with their depth. Focus on those hurting right now, and later you will reap benefit from helping those who need you. May time bring healing to them and to you. Roland

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  14. Hi,
    There are situations that make you slow down. They’re challenging. The frustration comes because you can’t write like you always write. But you do have time, even if that is only twenty minutes to. maybe thirty minutes, and in that time you can write. I know because I have been in your situation twice. Each time I had to slow myself down and do what writing I could.
    The caregiving role is important. It will increase your experience in life and enrich your writing. This is how writers grow emotionally.
    All the best.
    Shalom shalom

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  15. I get where you are coming from. Sometimes, even the things that we love most might become tiresome. Also, there are a lot of times when, I feel like I would have written something with a different perspective but I don’t go and change that, I think of it as personal growth and keep that for future projects.

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  17. It’s perfectly normal for a writer to feel depleted and need a break from writing.

    I’ve written a story about which I feel conflicted because it deals with racism in the American South, which is a highly charged subject right now. So far, I’m standing by it and sending it out.

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  18. Don’t be too hard on yourself about not having time to write and submit with your family’s health challenges. I was a caregiver to my husband for 30 years and my mom for a few years until their deaths. There have been many times that I didn’t have time to write. It sounds like you’re focusing on what’s most important.

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  19. Time to be creative ? In summer ? Even if all your loved ones are well ? Love your poems.
    All through summer 22, we moved between hospitals, visiting my husband’s sister, as she recovered slowly from an accident, then hospital infections. This year, so far, she’s well – or as well as anybody can be with cerebral palsy. Travelling anywhere is so difficult now, we’ve been catching up with friends and family,
    – surprised, and delighted last week when, as one friend was leaving – a message from the Californian cousins, on their way to Scotland. Of course we have room!
    Re-reading and editing a book that deserves to be rewritten, still shocked by the rawness of my thoughts writing that first draft.
    fears experienced by my key characters. Why put them through such pain ?

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