IWSG: What would make you stop writing?
The purpose of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is to share and encourage other writers. Content is posted the first Wednesday of every month.
Answer to July question/writing prompt:
In February, I had a detached retina and emergency eye surgery to repair it. They put a buckle around my eye and filled it with gas so it was like looking through a snow globe with my right eye. For almost three months I couldn’t see well (unless I closed one eye). Believe me, I now understand why God gave us two eyes – it’s very hard to see, or keep your balance when walking, or drive with one eye. I couldn’t see well enough to watch TV, read, crochet and using a computer gave me ice pick headaches.
My eyesight returned and is good for now, by the grace of God. I’m not sure I could function without my eyesight, and without being able to write, read and crochet. I hope I never have to find out.
I’ve had periods when I wasn’t able to write creatively, due to lack of time or energy. My “day” job has always had a level of stress and usually required more than 40 hours per week, taking up evening and weekend time. However, I’ve never given up the desire to write, or the attempts to carve out time to write. And, almost losing my eyesight has given me a whole new appreciation for being physically able to write.
Sometimes it’s in a journal just for me. Often my words are not worth much to anyone but me. It keeps the creative juices flowing, period. While I’ve given up the dream of being a famous mystery or comedy writer, I’ve accepted the truth that I can continue to write and have faith that my words will reach the eyes, and the hearts, that need to read it. It’s cathartic to me as well.
I recently attended a local writing group already in progress and realized how meaningful it was to be with other writers. As the time neared to leave the house, I had at least a dozen excuses as to why I didn’t have time or energy to attend. I’m so glad I did! I’m not sure what will come of it after this week’s last class but perhaps several of us can continue gathering to write and inspire one another in a less formal way. The important thing is to keep writing and not give up. It’s the one true thing that I can do that is truly my own. It helps me to stretch and grow stronger just as exercising regularly or eating healthy food and getting enough sleep.
dmweiden@gmail.com
I'm Diane, a marketing executive in the non-profit sector living in Terre Haute, Indiana. My husband and I moved from Denver, Colorado, 15-plus years ago and this blog highlights our joys and challenges in adjusting to our new home and town. I also share things I love: photography, wildlife and domestic pets, writing, knitting, making jewelry, food, travel, my faith in God and music. I'm also writing a mystery novel so stay tuned!
30 Comments
Jen
Thank GOODNESS your eyes are healed and are working as they should. That’s scary! I’ve recently been through a health challenge that make writing pretty impossible and I thank God every day that I’m able to sit at my computer and type out ANYTHING: ideas, thoughts, memories, stories or even just a grocery list! Amazing how small things become miracles when they are lost for a time.
Beautiful post!
Jen x
dmweiden@gmail.com
I’m so glad you are still able to write! Blessings to you on your future endeavors. Thank you for your encouragement and visiting!
chemistken
Glad to hear that your eye is better. My retina started to detach a couple of years ago, but they were able to reseal it pretty easily using a laser right there in the chair in the office. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience (and I had to repeat the procedure several times over the next couple of months), but everything is okay now. Thanks goodness. Writing would have been just one of the things I wouldn’t be able to do.
dmweiden@gmail.com
Glad you were able to fix your eye with the laser. Our eyes are so important to us. Good luck with your writing. Thank you for visiting my blog!
Patricia Josephine
I’m glad to hear your eye has healed. I had an autoimmune disease that gave me the risk of detached retina and I wondered what emergency eye surgery might entail. I’m super glad it’s currently in remission after reading that!
dmweiden@gmail.com
I’m glad you are in remission as well. Enjoy your writing and thanks for your encouragement. I’ll visit your blog back!
mlouisebarbourfundyblue
Thank goodness your eye healed, Diane! A friend of mine permanently lost the vision in one eye about six months ago, and while she is coping and being brave about it, it was a traumatic loss. It was difficult for me to write while I was teaching, a job that often required 12-hour days and at least one weekend day. I wrote constantly, but much of it was required by my career, union work, and volunteering. It’s a joy to be retired and finally focusing on what I long to write. I have written a journal throughout my life, and it has kept me connected to writing through some dark times. Wishing you all the best with your writing!
dmweiden@gmail.com
Congratulations on your retirement. Time to write your memoir? Enjoy your writing and do things that bring you joy! Best of luck to you in your writing as well. Thanks for visiting my blog!
JohnFromGR
When it comes to energy sinks, day jobs are just the worst! A good writing group is a treasure, and (coming out of a year of pandemic and quarantine) a good way to ease back into being part of a real-life community.
dmweiden@gmail.com
Thank you for the encouragement and for visiting my blog. Blessings to you on your writing!
emaginette
Sounds like you are enjoying your writing adventure. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
dmweiden@gmail.com
Yes, I hope you are too. Thank you for visiting!
alexjcavanaugh
Really glad your eye healed.
Sounds like that writing class was just what you needed. No excuses – you know you need to attend the next one.
dmweiden@gmail.com
Thank you for the encouragement, and for visiting my blog. I really appreciate the support. Happy writing!
Laurence Mihm
My spouse and I are both facing eye challenges. Being unable to see would make writing a bigger challenge than it already is, but I’ll bet there are plenty of blind folks who have written whole books. I’m sure if there is writing in a person’s DNA they will find a way, even if they can’t see.
dmweiden@gmail.com
I pray that your eye challenges resolve and that you’ll be okay. You are right – I’d find a way if I couldn’t see. It was just such a discouraging time. So grateful for our eyes!
Quenntis Ashby
My parents and my brother all wear glasses. I have sensitive eyes, but I have never experienced a detached retina.
Diane, I am so happy your eye was treated and that you’ve recovered well.
Keep up the writing practice! It is the best kind of medicine.
Quenntis
dmweiden@gmail.com
Thank you for your well wishes for my eyes, and for visiting my blog. Yes, writing is the best medicine! Happy writing!
Nick Wilford
I’m glad your surgery went well and your eyesight is better. It’s one of those thing we just take for granted until something goes wrong.
“It’s the one true thing I can do that is truly my own” – this spoke to me. So much in life is random and out of our hands, and writing gives us a way to make a difference to the universe, even if in a small way.
dmweiden@gmail.com
Thank you for visiting my blog. I really appreciate the support. So true that life is random and out of our hands! Take care.
Jacqui Murray
I was surprised how many people mentioned blindness as a reason they might quit writing–or other health issues. I didn’t think of that. I’m glad your detached retina came out OK. I have eye issues and they are a constant source of stress. Talk soon!
dmweiden@gmail.com
I hope your eye issues resolve soon and positively. It can be discouraging, for sure. Wishing you a productive month of writing. Take care.
cleemckenzie
That experience with your eye had to be so frightening. I’m glad the procedure was a success and you have good vision again. I can certainly relate to your writers’ group comment. So often I find excuses for not taking time to do something, and then when I do, I discover how much i really needed the experience. Thank you for the interesting and very touching post.
dmweiden@gmail.com
I appreciate you visiting my blog and for your kind words. Hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy!
Victoria Marie Lees
Oh my gosh, I don’t think I could survive without my eyesight either, Diane. I’m so glad you are better now. This is a beautiful post. We needed to read it. All best to you!
dmweiden@gmail.com
Thank you for your encouraging words. I’m so glad to be better, too. It’s amazing how we take some things for granted until we don’t have them. Never again for me and my eyesight. Wishing you a good month of writing.
Janet Alcorn
So glad your eye is healed! I can only imagine how hard it must have been to not be able to do so many things you enjoy. Good luck with your writing!
dmweiden@gmail.com
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you’re enjoying writing this summer as well.
Julie Kemp Pick
I’m so sorry you went through that frightening ordeal with the detached retina. Thank goodness your eye is much better now. Your writing group sounds wonderful and I’m sure it will be an ideal resource for you!
dmweiden@gmail.com
Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m grateful that my eye healed, for sure. I hope you’re enjoying writing this summer. Take care!