How Writing Ruined My Wife: The Scary Parts of Being Married to a Writer

by Kirk Melson

I used to love taking my wife out to eat. It was always a carefree time when we could visit about what was going on in our lives, share our dreams and our struggles. 

Then she began to write…fiction.

And the carefree quickly morphed into the socially awkward. Oh we still discussed our dreams and our struggles and what was going on in our lives, but the stories she was (and still is) writing began to intrude. 

How Writing Ruined My Wife—Help. I’ve Been Infected—With Writer’s Block!

by Kirk Melson

Yes, believe it or not I’m back.

Between my traveling schedule and Edie’s it’s been hard find a Wednesday when we’re together. Of course I could have done this on my own, well except for uploading it to her blog that is. But the truth of the matter is that she’s rubbed off on me in a rather uncomfortable way.

I’ve been experiencing some rather alarming symptoms. I have a kind of fogginess in my mind, my fingers won’t work and when I look at the computer I only see white.

I’ve been told it’s a common malady among writers—which is something that alarms me even more than the symptoms.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—A Spouse's Experience at the 2013 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

by Kirk Melson

Edie Melson, Alton Gansky & Eva Marie Everson

As many of you know, my wife co-directs the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian WritersConference (BRMCWC) along with Alton Gansky, and contest director, Eva Marie Everson. 

The conference was held last week in North Carolina. I've figured out the required spousal support really peaks during those conference weeks, and this was no exception. 

What can I do?

I was supposed to attend the banquet on the last night of the conference, but of course I got a call from her, needing me to bring her stuff the day before. So, there I went—shuffling my schedule, gathering our things, delivering the dog, and hustling off to the conference one day early.

Of course, that was only the beginning. I came with the warning that I would need to work in the hotel room during the days. 

How Writing Ruined My Wife—No Longer Normal

by Kirk Melson

I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty normal guy. I mean, I’m an engineer, nothing odd about that. and just for the record, in my mind being NORMAL was a good thing!

But early in my wife’s writing career, I noticed that she and other writers referred to being normal in a very odd context. I tried to ignore the overtones of derision, but it became harder as life went on.

Truthfully, when Edie and her friends mentioned normal, I didn’t understand why they found our behavior so funny. To me, not hearing voices seemed a lot more reasonable than hearing them…and admitting it. And going on to assign those voices to imaginary people gets even weirder. Then to finally argue out loud with those made up characters made me think they had all gone a little nuts.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—Don’t You Recognize Me? I’m a Model

by Kirk Melson

I know, in real life I’m an engineer. At least that's what I always thought.

But I’ve discovered something truly scary about living with a writer. Most of what they draw on to write about is from personal experience.  I don’t want to frighten anyone, but in case you haven’t figured it out, that means you and me.

This goes beyond what I shared when I talked about my lifein print. I’m talking about characters—in books and short stories—that strangely resemble people I know…like me.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—Curious and Research are Synonyms for Nosy

by Kirk Melson

I grew up with certain expectations of behavior. They were the normal sorts of things we all learned as children. Near the top of the list was a warning not to be nosy. I took this aversion to those who exhibited this trait with me into adulthood.

That is, until I discovered this tendency in my darling wife.

I came upon the surprising compunction to overhear every conversation nearby, ask prying questions of total strangers, and worst of all, take photographs of everything and every one she wanted—without asking permission.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—I had to Learn a New Language

by Kirk Melson

I try to be a supportive husband when it comes to my wife’s publishing career, but I made a mistake early on in the process that has come back to haunt me…often

She’d been meeting with her critique group and was going on and on about how someone didn’t get what she’d written. Understand me, it wasn’t because she thought she was right and they were wrong. It was because they didn’t understand the GENRE she wrote in.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—Now I’m a Book Collector Too

My wife had this autographed—to me.

I was perfectly happy not being a reader. Oh I can read, I just never much cared to. I made it all way through school—with a master’s degree in engineering—without commercial fiction. I thought I was safe…then my wife began writing.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—I’ve been Sucked into Social Media!

By Kirk Melson

As you know by now, I’m an engineer. I use a computer as a tool—for work. If I want to get social (and I rarely do) I go to a movie or have dinner with friends. My life used to be divided into nice, manageable compartments. Now, not so much. I've been sucked into social media.

With a writing wife, my computer has now become a social gathering place. The compartments in my life are getting jumbled, and that makes me just a tad uncomfortable. I was more than satisfied with my social life before. 

Social Media Monday—5 Things I've Learned About Blogging from Duck Dynasty

I don’t know if you’ve seen the top-rated television show on A&E, Duck Dynasty, but it’s a HUGE favorite at our house. This camo-clad family has taken America by storm, and we’ve fallen in love with everyone of the Robertson Clan. Which is fairly funny when you consider the men in our house don't grow beards or hunt.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—Being an Apple is at the Core of the Issue

By Kirk Melson

An Apple is at the core of the issue

NOTE: The Contest is Closed. The puns are highlighted in yellow, and if you count the title, there are a total of 15 puns - if you count the sticker on his head. If you got 14 or 15 you've been entered in the drawing.

Last week I shared with you how my wife loves gadgets more than jewelry. Well the more I thought about that, the more I realized the issue really extends beyond just gadgets. If you boil it all down, being an Apple is at the core of the issue.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—When did the Grammar Rules Change?

by Kirk Melson

It's my nature to appreciate rules.

As most of you know, I’m an engineer. It’s in my nature to appreciate things that fit within given parameters. So it’s probably no surprise to know that of all the English classes I’ve taken, I enjoyed grammar the most. All those hard and fast rules make writing correctly something easy and more importantly, success definable. It’s the closest someone can get to math in the English department.

At least that was my belief…until my wife entered the world of publishing.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—My Life...in PRINT!

By Kirk Melson

My first byline!

Did you notice my byline? Pretty cool, huh.

Today I’d like to share something that’s happened with my wife’s writing. It turns out a lot of her inspiration comes from us—her family and friends. While that sounds good, on the surface, after you begin to unpack the real-life application it’s a little messier than you might imagine.

How Writing Ruined My Wife—No More Normal Bedtimes

Kirk, lookin' Writer-Chic!

Hi, Kirk here again. I'm beginning to enjoy this taste of a writer's life. How do you like my new look?

Today I want to find out if any of you have the same problem as me—no more normal bedtimes.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I like a rhythm to life, a schedule. It’s the sort of thing my engineering brain craves. But once my wife began writing, schedules became a thing of the past.

How Writing Ruined my Wife—Help, I’m Hearing Voices!

More Thoughts from a Writer’s Spouse

I’m enjoying getting to know you through my wife’s blog. You’ve all made me feel welcome, and even helped me as I get to know what to expect with a writing wife.

Many of you may not know that by day I’m an engineer. I have my own business and work out of our home. Because of this, Edie and I have shared an office for almost fifteen years. Lately, I’ve noticed a new symptom that appears to have come from rooming with a writer.