tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post5233173759479816278..comments2024-03-18T09:25:56.836-04:00Comments on The Write Conversation: Feeding Your Creative Spirit—Are You Filling the Well, or Draining it Dry?Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-21267352663938605302013-08-08T20:54:30.441-04:002013-08-08T20:54:30.441-04:00Thanks for the post. It sparked something here too...Thanks for the post. It sparked something here too, only for me it's relief that I'm not the only who feels guilty for writing, and guilty for not writing. For over six months now I've been going through a big transition and have felt guilty for not writing, wondering if I will ever get that thrill back. <br /><br />After reading your post and comments, I'm determined to take care of business (mainly move for the second time), write notes if the desire calls, and keep reading and discovering. Then when I get settled in at my new desk, I'm going to say a pray and just do what comes naturally.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09871715455123788528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-23228994387997680872013-07-30T00:55:22.547-04:002013-07-30T00:55:22.547-04:00This is a tough one for me. Due to health issues, ...This is a tough one for me. Due to health issues, I find it difficult to be productive on days I feel cruddy or can't move well. Instead of feeling guilty for not writing or working as hard as I should on edits, I take a nap, work a jigsaw puzzle (my favorite relaxer), watch an Agatha Christie episode, or paint.<br /><br />If I don't take care of myself, I won't accomplish much of any importance. I used to push myself to the limit and push a little more. After I nearly died of heart failure, I realized God doesn't require more work, just smarter work.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01876773705678028898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-64635945233272065032013-07-25T17:12:00.132-04:002013-07-25T17:12:00.132-04:00I am with you, Edie! I've got a handful of boo...I am with you, Edie! I've got a handful of books I have scheduled to help launch. Outside of those, I've stopped taking on books for review so that I can enjoy a few leisurely reads, revisit favorites, or read the stack I've bought for myself that I've neglected for nearly a year. For brain breaks, I've done a puzzle or two in the last month. Of course, having the kids home for summer break has given me plenty of time to walk away from the screen/keyboard so I can head to the pool for some sun and water fun. Still busy with lots of work, but I'm taking plenty of breaks to keep the creative flow flowing.Alycia Moraleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437645525024387418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-58063423682272451652013-07-25T14:55:55.046-04:002013-07-25T14:55:55.046-04:00These are great tips, Edie, and so important. I&#...These are great tips, Edie, and so important. I'm like you- I like to refuel my spirit with pleasure reading and "creative" activities like painting or crafting with my kids. And although it seems counter-intuitive when I'm tired, sometimes a walk or a hike does wonders to fill me up again. Finally, if I can get past my own worries, sometimes doing an act of service for someone who needs help really helps shift my perspective and feed my spirit.<br />I LOVE routine, and this summer has really not allowed for routine. I'm hoping to get back on track and wish you luck too. I'll pray for all of us. ;)Julia Tomiakhttp://www.juliatomiak.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-34433289166329648892013-07-24T00:47:18.782-04:002013-07-24T00:47:18.782-04:00I want to spend more time reading too, Edie. That&...I want to spend more time reading too, Edie. That's so important, especially for writers. I don't know if he really said it, but I agree with Stephen King or whoever said, "If you don't have time to read, you don't have time to write." S. Kim Hensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00628604717256094833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-62516618928776431142013-07-23T21:54:25.031-04:002013-07-23T21:54:25.031-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Beth K. Fortunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18254615640813203483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-47119000715383853152013-07-23T19:51:31.941-04:002013-07-23T19:51:31.941-04:00The only thing keeping me relatively sane this yea...The only thing keeping me relatively sane this year is spending time with the Lord first thing in the morning. <br /><br />As a debut author, there's so much to do - the blog interviews, the social media, responding to readers, and working on my second book and a Christmas novella. I should be writing now, but I needed a breather.<br /><br />Thanks, Edie! I love your blog. :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-4367786029468605362013-07-23T17:57:09.509-04:002013-07-23T17:57:09.509-04:00You're singing my tune, Edie. We are ALL over-...You're singing my tune, Edie. We are ALL over-booked in our schedules, it seems, and it can be overwhelming. I'm trying to learn to let events happen that interrupt "my" schedule. Sometimes the Lord interrupts my perfectly planned day with such things as a call from my elderly Mom. Rather than stress, I'm learning to put my agenda aside and take a break for a couple of hours. Keeping a notebook handy with a "to-do" list that I cross out as I go helps me see that I really HAVE accomplished a few things. And like you, I'm trying to take more time for other writers to read and review their work, and help THEM rather than focusing on myself. That's the most therapeutic thing I can do—get my focus off of me and then God refreshes my creative self.Elaine Marie Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10433520113422863255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-5830954856150333682013-07-23T13:53:59.551-04:002013-07-23T13:53:59.551-04:00Edie, thanks for this great post. I needed it. Som...Edie, thanks for this great post. I needed it. Sometimes I feel as though my creative spirit is being drained dry. Family (at least mine) can do that. What do I do to re-fill it? Come to you for help with my sanity! LOL! Seriously though, I'll read blogs that aren't writing-related or go to lunch with a friend. Love you, precious friend!Jamie Britthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-77083574827787570082013-07-23T13:46:57.555-04:002013-07-23T13:46:57.555-04:00I love this post today! Yes, sometimes my creative...I love this post today! Yes, sometimes my creative side runs dry. Family (at least mine) can make it that way. What do I do about it? Come to you for sanity help! LOL! Seriously though, I'm with you. I read other blogs...non-writing related. I also will just take times where I read for pleasure and listen to music or go to lunch with a friend. Love you, sweet friend!Jamie Britthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01137889974210281622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-12555694928203136022013-07-23T10:13:15.131-04:002013-07-23T10:13:15.131-04:00Thanks for the tips. Sometimes life can get so ove...Thanks for the tips. Sometimes life can get so overwhelming...Patricia Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382033674042021556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-88604477453593645762013-07-23T09:26:07.270-04:002013-07-23T09:26:07.270-04:00Sometimes I take a morning off. No work til after ...Sometimes I take a morning off. No work til after 11. I stay in bed, maybe read, crossword puzzles, or even study my Bible with Christian music playing, drinking lots of hot tea :)Then I can usually get a lot done in the afternoon.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04163521563641083919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-68606629973757044882013-07-23T09:21:18.796-04:002013-07-23T09:21:18.796-04:00Your blog title stopped me in my tracks today, Edi...Your blog title stopped me in my tracks today, Edie. I know I've drained my creative well -- possibly dry - because I just finished 2nd round edits. The question is: What am I doing to refill it? Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-60313322266032591682013-07-23T09:07:12.843-04:002013-07-23T09:07:12.843-04:00Slowing down takes focus and is about as hard as w...Slowing down takes focus and is about as hard as work unless you just stop in your tracks and give it over to the Lord and let him lead. I had to have a heart attack to figure that out. Stress will cause one and you will never see it coming. I didn't. My youngest daughter past away in 2010 and that was hard to take, but the Lord allowed me to be there for her and take her everywhere she needed to go for all of the seven years she battled a brain tumor. I treasure that time and those memories, we need to take time to make time, but let the Lord provide the direction.Ric 'The Turtle' Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557268545385347913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-49623382361463958242013-07-23T09:06:52.342-04:002013-07-23T09:06:52.342-04:00I try to use the schedule disruptions as an incent...I try to use the schedule disruptions as an incentive to get out of a rut. But it's always a struggle to stay consist when things change. Thanks for sharing how you cope! Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-9033133982107736182013-07-23T09:05:14.236-04:002013-07-23T09:05:14.236-04:00Definitely NOT a whine! It's something I strug...Definitely NOT a whine! It's something I struggle with and that's why I wrote about it. It's good to know I have company! Thanks for taking time to comment, Blessings, EEdie Melsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-83470665853344532862013-07-23T08:16:20.200-04:002013-07-23T08:16:20.200-04:00I can certainly relate to the disrupted routine. T...I can certainly relate to the disrupted routine. The grandkids were visiting, they're early risers, and my quiet time was derailed. So I had to switch gears to get out of bed as soon as I woke the first time--instead of the second. <br /><br />Pam Gloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15299762633768768470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-71498712964916848542013-07-23T08:12:01.132-04:002013-07-23T08:12:01.132-04:00This spoke to my soul...I teach Advance Placement ...This spoke to my soul...I teach Advance Placement Literature and Composition and during the summer, I plan and work and write new curriculum ideas. And I also try to blog and write creative non-fiction to fulfill my dream of COMPLETING SOMETHING! But I end up feeling guilty for blogging and writing instead of working and working and working. I put dreams and personal goals on the back burner in the forest somewhere and I don't recharge. Then I feel badly because I'm not responding to God's voice urging me to go ahead and write and honor Him with my writing. Oi vey. Such a cycle! Thanks for the reminder. Sorry for the whine, but this pushed all my buttons! Grace and peace!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16164280920482731182noreply@blogger.com