From Edie: Discover how writers can overcome setbacks—from crashed programs to lost words—and find resilience, perspective, and renewed joy in the writing journey.
Writing Through Setbacks: Lessons From Crashed Programs, Broken Cameras, and Lost Words
by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch 0767
As a new owner of a publishing company, I was thrilled to acquire several book projects and couldn’t wait to dive into the work. My calendar was full, my energy was high, and my vision was clear. Then, almost immediately, everything seemed to fall apart.
It began with my high-speed internet—the heartbeat of my meetings and email correspondence. One moment, it was reliable; the next, it crashed mid-Zoom, freezing my screen and locking essential emails in the outbox. The podcast recording I had scheduled with a celebrity author for my show was delayed. Mortified, I apologized profusely while trying to salvage the remaining time we had to record. It seemed like all the progress I’d worked hard to accomplish had ground to a halt, and frustration set in.
“When the internet fails, so does patience.”
Next came my Word application. I was nearly finished editing an entire nonfiction manuscript when the program froze. Because I hadn’t turned on auto-save, hours of work vanished. I sat there, staring at a blank screen, realizing I had to start over from scratch. Later that evening, my husband found me sobbing in our bathroom—my favorite place for most of my pity parties.
Even my health goals began to crumble. Determined to fast, exercise, and lose weight, I instead found myself in late-night binges with sherbet ice cream and sweet tea. My home gym still had a thick layer of dust on it. Stress undid every ounce of discipline I had built.
The final blow came with my brand-new specialty camera. Right before an important video podcast interview, it stopped working altogether. I sat frozen, staring into the lifeless lens, wondering if the universe was laughing at me.
When Life Hits Pause
Moments like these can tempt us to quit, but I’ve learned they’re an invitation to pause instead.
- Take a bike ride.
- Call a trusted friend and vent.
- Watch something funny and laugh hard.
- Do something kind for someone.
- Cry if you need to (but don’t stay in self-pity mode for too long).
“Taking a break isn’t quitting—it’s refueling.”
The Bigger Picture
Technology will fail. Plans will go sideways. Healthy habits will get trampled under stress. But none of these things defines the writer’s journey. They’re temporary setbacks, not permanent endings.
The bigger picture is this—the work still gets done, we’re still in the right place, and we’re still pursuing what we love. And sometimes, the interruptions we hate most become the moments that help us rediscover joy, perspective, and purpose.
TWEETABLE
AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel to her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story will debut in February 2024 through Endgame Press.
Katherine flourishes in developmental editing and coaching writers. She has a twenty-year career in education, leadership, and journalism. Katherine freelances as an educational consultant for charter schools, home school programs, and churches. In this role, she has written and edited curriculum, led program development, and helped manage growth facilitating and public relations. She also works as an editor and book coach through her consulting business. Katherine provides skill, accountability, and professionalism so clients can begin, develop, and finish their writing projects for publication.
My gosh, Katherine! You've been through it, haven't you? I'm so sorry for all the setbacks you've faced, but I admire your perseverance. Your words remind us to pause, not to quit. Cheering you on today -- and praying for protection.
ReplyDeleteSetbacks are never fun when they upset your plans. But this too will pass. And it will make you better. More confident.
ReplyDeleteTim Suddeth
It seems like the more tools we have to make our work easier, the more stress we have when things go wrong. Nice perspective on how to handle the setbacks.
ReplyDelete