This afternoon’s writing time was unexpectedly pushed aside to pick up liquid Ibuprofen, a pill crusher, a WaterPik, and energy drinks for my husband, who’s had his broken jaw wired together this morning and will be on a liquid diet for weeks. I rushed home to cook dinner for friends arriving from Great Britain momentarily, and I haven’t written Tuesday’s post yet.
Write now!
I remember days when writing time would be supplanted by a childcare-giver’s day off, a sick child, a grandmother’s broken ankle, chicken pox, strep throat and a child’s broken ankle. Emergencies happen, yet one can still write in the waiting room, in the car, in the sick room, while the kids are playing dress up or make believe or watching a movie.
Write now!
Then there are the planned trips to the shop for car maintenance. I’ve come to love those waiting rooms. With earplugs to drown out the TV, I use the hour to write.
I’m driving on the Interstate, headed to or from a gig at a library and the words for a commentary start bubbling up. I pull over, pick up my pen and notebook.
Write now!
The dishes are piled in the sink, the clean laundry needs to be folded, the trash needs to go out. Take care of the trash. Everything else can wait.
Write now!
I’m told my mother-in-law sold her washer and dryer, subscribed to The New Yorker, and read it in the laundromat every week. Have to do laundry? Write now!
The emails are incoming thick and fast. Turn off email – write now!
If social media is no longer a tool but a distraction, turn off your internet connection – write now!
Whatever you’re doing, write now!
Even though I prefer to write in my studio, life happens. I write here, there, and everywhere, at all hours of the day or night. I always have paper and pen with me. I’m always ready – write now!
So sorry to hear about your husband’s injury! Thank you for this reminder to always be writing. You’re an inspiration. 🙂
Thanks for your good wishes and kind words!
Praying for a speedy recovery for your hubby!
Thank you.
Wow, a broken jaw is no fun. Don’t ask how I know. At the moment I am sitting in a hospital room with my loved one we are hoping to be discharged in the next day or two. We have been here almost a week and I am here 16+ hours every day. Still, I am managing to get in most of my writing time. It is a little more difficult but doable. Thanks for the motivation.
I’m hoping your loved one continues to improve and can go home soon. Hospitals are hard places to rest and get well. You’re doing important work, both being present at bedside and practicing self-care by writing. Best wishes.
Thank you. I am sure we will be on our way home in a few days.
At first I thought the picture was of a tiara and I wondered what this blog would be about but then I realized it’s a mockup of a wired jaw! No fun to be on a liquid diet from jaw or gum troubles, I know, I’ve been there, but don’t forget that beer is a liquid. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Well, I do have to say Tim’s teeth glitter with tinsel! Beer? He’s on it! Thanks for your good wishes.
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Great post, very true. You’ve inspired me to carry around my notebook again. I don’t know why I stopped. Thank you
GREAT POST! Notebook carried everywhere a good idea but when it comes to both Prayer and writing then the place to drop out completely must be found. Like people in the past.. Put something over your head and drop out is suggested. A bit difficult when having an anaesthetic. They tend to think you are dead. If you can write they KNOW you are not. Cheers! Thank you.!
I am really good about motivating other people to write and to do what they should, but in relation to myself, I am a terrible procrastinator. I promise to write now. Take care!
It was procrastinating that got me into the fix that forced me to write Write Now! – so sometimes procrastination forces a good, albeit rushed, outcome!
Thank you for the motivation and very helpful and wish your husband gets well soon !
You’re welcome for the motivation. Thank YOU for your good wishes.
Deborah, I have to tell you, I read your post a couple of days ago, and your message has hounded me ever since! Thank you for that reminder! It’s so easy to get caught up in daily life and let those important things slip by. Thank you!
Glad to be a “positive irritant” – sometimes that’s just what we need.
So glad you found the post helpful!
Hey! This truly works as a magic pill for me. I kept myself away from writing for couple of months. It hurts pretty bad. Just finished my post after a long time and next thing I read yours. Feeling great.
And yes hope your husband gets well soon. Praying for his recovery…
Glad that you’re writing again – Thank you for writing to me!
And thanks also for your good wishes. Tim is on the mend – though still on a liquid diet. Ugh!