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CELEBRATING GUILT by Debra H.
Goldstein
Goldstein
Celebrate! Have you ever noticed that the Fourth of July celebration
goes far beyond one day? On the Friday
before this holiday weekend, airports and roads became packed as people ducked
out of their offices early. Those who stayed behind actually got caught up
because things were so quiet.
goes far beyond one day? On the Friday
before this holiday weekend, airports and roads became packed as people ducked
out of their offices early. Those who stayed behind actually got caught up
because things were so quiet.
I had great plans for using the Friday to write my personal Stiletto
Gang and It’s Not Always a Mystery blogs, set up and schedule the great guest July
blogs for both (Judy Penz Sheluk is visiting The Stiletto Gang on July 22 and
the amazing Bill Crider is my July 18 guest on It’s Not Always a Mystery), and
working on a short story that is burning a hole in my brain.
Gang and It’s Not Always a Mystery blogs, set up and schedule the great guest July
blogs for both (Judy Penz Sheluk is visiting The Stiletto Gang on July 22 and
the amazing Bill Crider is my July 18 guest on It’s Not Always a Mystery), and
working on a short story that is burning a hole in my brain.
Addressing anything burning a hole in my brain takes high
priority as there only is so much space left in those hemispheres that resemble
swiss cheese. So, I was ready, set, and started; but then, Joel announced he’d
be home mid-day and was curious if I planned to be in my lab or wanted to do
something. Guilt!
priority as there only is so much space left in those hemispheres that resemble
swiss cheese. So, I was ready, set, and started; but then, Joel announced he’d
be home mid-day and was curious if I planned to be in my lab or wanted to do
something. Guilt!
For the next three months, I am gone a significant part of
each month doing book talks and signings Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie
Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery. Joel supports my endeavors, but
rather than go on the road with me, he enjoys working, visiting children,
grandchildren, or the grand-dog, going to the gym or hanging in front of our TV
set. Now, he was specifically asking me
to do something with him beyond our already scheduled holiday plans.
each month doing book talks and signings Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie
Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery. Joel supports my endeavors, but
rather than go on the road with me, he enjoys working, visiting children,
grandchildren, or the grand-dog, going to the gym or hanging in front of our TV
set. Now, he was specifically asking me
to do something with him beyond our already scheduled holiday plans.
for
I’d already promised to dedicate Saturday to a “date” like
activity (translate that to no writing as we’ll be on the road) and we had
plans with other couples for Sunday and Monday. What did he want of me? Didn’t
he understand I need to dedicate myself to my writing when I’m not frustrated
and playing Spider Solitaire?
activity (translate that to no writing as we’ll be on the road) and we had
plans with other couples for Sunday and Monday. What did he want of me? Didn’t
he understand I need to dedicate myself to my writing when I’m not frustrated
and playing Spider Solitaire?
I started getting worked up and was about to explain to him
why I needed my private time but something stopped me. I thought about how much
my writing takes me away from interacting with others and remembered that if we
are to be good writers, we need to be well-rounded human beings. That means prioritizing personal lives as
well as word counts.
why I needed my private time but something stopped me. I thought about how much
my writing takes me away from interacting with others and remembered that if we
are to be good writers, we need to be well-rounded human beings. That means prioritizing personal lives as
well as word counts.
At least for me, all too often, I become so engaged in
writing or PR that I sacrifice the time I could devote to interacting with
those I love most. I’ve learned I can’t be superhuman so I’ve given up trying
to keep a Martha Stewart house, but I need to remember those I care about need
my attention, too. In the end, it works both ways. I am nurtured by those I nurture and my
writing is the better for it.
writing or PR that I sacrifice the time I could devote to interacting with
those I love most. I’ve learned I can’t be superhuman so I’ve given up trying
to keep a Martha Stewart house, but I need to remember those I care about need
my attention, too. In the end, it works both ways. I am nurtured by those I nurture and my
writing is the better for it.
How about you? Do you function in a vacuum or celebrate with
those around you?
those around you?
FYI: I have a new and improved website at www.DebraHGoldstein.com . In creating the website, the It’s Not Always a Mystery Blog was moved to a new wordpress platform requiring those who want to receive email notification/copies twice a month to sign up again. Please do.
Since I live by myself, apart from my kitties, I am free to do as I please; but even that, when you live alone, can contribute to living in a bubble. I need to get out more because I stay in so much due to the day J.O.B. and then writing fiction in the evenings and on weekends. Thing is, the more I'm alone, the more I like it. Not always, but I can see how people/writers can become hermits.