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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Does Writing Make You Feel Guilty?

Does writing make you feel guilty? That's the question I posed to my fellow published authors at the recent Writers' Conference (RWNZ).

It's an issue that's been bothering me for a few years. Is it because I'm a woman? a mother? a lapsed Roman Catholic? Whatever the reason, my conscience nags at me every time I enjoy plotting a scene too much and, as the result:
  • I serve the family a take-away meal full of trans-fats
  • somebody steps on a toy, breaking it to bits, because it was lying in the corridor and not in the toy box
  • my husband has to watch evening TV all by himself
  • I forget to pack the kids' swimming gear
  • my book is more interesting than the kid's piano lesson
  • ....
Honestly, what right do I have to enjoy my work so much when my husband doesn't? What right do I have to waste family weekend time going t writing conferences? What right do I have being late for the school pickup because I'm writing this blog????

3 comments:

Crystal Kauffman said...

You have every right to seek your goals, and your desire to write makes you that much more interesting and vibrant. Would the people in your life like you better if you were a dullard without passion or drive whose sole purpose was to mop the floor and pack lunches?

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

If you didn't write, you'd probably be depressed and cranky so I bet your family would prefer that you continue to take time to follow your passion.

Yvonne Eve Walus said...

Thanks guys, that's what I need!