Do you ever wonder where the day went? How about the past three months?
Maybe, for a moment, you have to think about that. No worries. I understand. It’s part of the malady. A symptom of overwork and exhaustion. A byproduct of euphoria and anticipation. The thing we hesitate to name. Writer’s fog. (Click-to-Tweet)
Huh? Is that really a thing?
Yes, my friend. I can assure you it is.
You may associate it with some other “fog” inherent to parenting, care-giving, goal-seeking, or anything demanding significant time and concentration.
Even special events or moments we look forward to may suck us deeper into the fog.
Deep-thought focus and multiple demands on our time shift our perspective and skew balance.
It’s not that we run from reality. It’s that we’re hyper-sensitive to it. We understand our mission and we pursue it…with gusto!
When I signed my three-book contract in January, I recognized new time constraints and I planned accordingly.
- I scheduled blog guests.
- I reorganized my day.
- I limited outside distractions.
- I weighed the big picture.
- I juggled networking, social media, marketing, and must-dos.
- I practiced good time management.
As I now enter a new phase in my writing career, I’ve learned to juggle obligations and opportunities. There will always be both. That’s the nature of any career. And for that matter—that’s life. (Click-to-Tweet)
We lose ourselves in the fog for a while as we immerse ourselves in the immediacy of our situation.
Maybe it’s new author syndrome, or perhaps, it stems from the pursuit of doing our thing well. Whatever our thing is.
While writing is the heartbeat of who I am, at the core of it is the why.
Why am I a writer?
The pat “Because this is who God made me” no longer seems enough. It’s a lazy answer. It doesn’t reveal the whole truth.
I’m a writer because all the hope I hold in my heart—hope for humanity, hope for the future—must storm the crevices of disbelief and offer a viable option. (Click-to-Tweet)
With the breakdown that exists in today’s modern world, it’s obvious there’s room for improvement.
If not hope, what?
What is there to offer as the fabric of who we are unravels?
The élite and the illustrious don’t have the answers. They may make an educated guess, but rarely is hope part of the equation. Mud-slinging and mayhem seem to be the order of the day.
Like overindulged children, factions would rather play pat-a-cake with possibilities than implement true change.
During my journey as my stories make their way onto the page, I acknowledge the fog and claw my way through it.
I don’t have to know up from down or inside from out.
Today it’s enough to know the struggle is real, and yet, so is the hope.
Writer’s fog doesn’t mean we’re unsure of the journey.
It means we’re aware it exists.
It’s a process.
And sometimes, it’s where God provides the greatest clarity.
May you sense the light in the distance, my friend.
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SHARING IS CARING
The thing we wonder if other writers have. Should we even talk about it?
THOUGHTS YOU MAY ENJOY
10 Things You Should Know About the Writing Life
Exploring writing as a career path? What you should know.
Yes, I’m a Big Dreamer. Here’s Why
Six characteristics big dreamers have in common.
Original Image Credit: Johannes/Unsplash
Have you experienced writer’s fog or something similar?
As a writer, how has your personal journey made you stronger?
As a reader, are you interested in authors’ journeys?
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Thanks for joining me today!
Over the next few months, I have additional blog guests scheduled. In late fall, I’ll resume my regular Wednesday/Friday blogging format.
If you’d like to stay up-to-date on Her Hope Discovered, my January 2019 début novel, as well as future books and writing news, please join Cynthia’s Fabulous Readers and Influencers’ Facebook group and subscribe to my monthly e-newsletter. Let down your hair and let’s talk turkey!
Comments 2
Great inspiration for writers. I have been very busy lately with family activities and writing and reading. 🙂 Good to be busy. But I can definitely relate to the “fog”. 🙂
Sounds like you’ve had your hands full, Melissa–but in a good way!
Thanks so much for stopping by.