Priorities
I just found out that, that money is about to be restricted. Not that we have enough to begin with… But more medical bills! It spiraled me I started to lose hope that I’ll ever have enough money to publish my book. There was this dark nasty seed in my gut making me feel awful. I proceeded to feel this way and think maybe I should give up my writers group.
Maybe I don’t have money for it. But it was the only thing that has kept me feeling like I’m a real writer. I have my book, I was able to use the manuscript assessment services and am now getting to rewrite so I’m a long way off before it needs to be copy edited. (And believe me I will want it copy edited).
When I get to that point I don’t think I’ll have any money. So I thought I’ll trade the money for my Jericho Writers for pulling out that money instead and will have enough saved in 4 years. Sounds ideal right!?
What would you do? Would you give up the only Writing Group that made you feel at home to save money for book and the services you would need to get it published?
Or would this experience make you cling to the only thing that’s helped you grow into and learn your identity as a writer? Would you practice patience and resourcefulness to utilize the time you have untill publishing to make yourself and your book the very best it can be?
Which avenue…Which path means giving up?
I’m not going to try answering that – at least not in the direct way you are asking your question, though I will circle back to an answer of sorts.
The primary reason that I won’t – can’t – attempt to answer it that my answer is mine. It doesn’t apply to you. This primarily because I don’t understand the context of the choices you’re facing. Oh, I get the words. You can’t explain it to me any more clearly. But you have found, as you put it, a place that “made you feel at home.” This, I have no experience of. In any context. Also, you mention money to publish, which, as I read it, implies selfpublishing, which again is diametrically outside the scope of anything I could conceive.
So, coming back to your question – the deeper one: what should you do? Which choice should you make? You already know the answer that is right for you, even if you haven’t found it yet. The real question you are asking (I believe) is: between these two aspects – the group that provides you existential support, and the JW membership that you see as a path to growth – which is more you?
Which option – assuming they are mutually exclusive – is more central, more fundamental, to who you intend to be a few years from now…?
Your answer to that question is the only one that matters.
And I had to post this twice because I was too inept to realize an arrow was the replay to comment button.
Thank you so much for responding today. There is a truth to your words that every writer must face. The path is always different isn’t it? Different for each and every single one of us. I absolutely love “Which option – assuming they are mutually exclusive – is more central, more fundamental, to who you intend to be a few years from now.” I can ask this question every day of my life and will be able to make the right decision. Thank you again for your wise words.
Rick Yagoditch, thank you so much for responding today. There is a truth to your words that every writer must face. The path is always different isn’t it. Different for each and every single one of us. I absolutely love “Which option – assuming they are mutually exclusive – is more central, more fundamental, to who you intend to be a few years from now.” I can ask this question every day of my life and will be able to make the right decision. Thank you again for your wise words.