Paradise Isn't Always What You Need--Part Two
When I read E's title on Monday, I thought she'd stolen my blog topic!
Not the case...lucky for me.
What writer hasn't wished for a vacation? Preferably alone in some secluded location (maybe tropical, maybe a winter cabin) where all they had to concern themselves with is eating, sleeping and writing?
This week I tagged along on my husband's convention trip to San Diego. It was wonderful. The weather was gorgeous, my kids were being happily spoiled with friends or grandparents and my husband was busy most of the day in meetings.
I walked, I swam, I shopped, I ate, I socialized. I even took a rowing lesson on Mission Bay, something I've wanted to learn to do for years.
But I didn't write.
Oh, I dabbled, edited, read things over, but I didn't make any serious progress.
Unfortunately, I realized this week that not only is paradise not always what you need, but most of the time, paradise can be royally distracting.
I write for a lot of reasons, but one of the supreme benefits of writing (for me) is the ability to escape. Escape the everyday stress of bills and kids and work, or things I don't want to face or think about all the time like that water heater that needs replacing, that other kid calling my kid names on the bus, or that nasty coworker I've got to face.
But, when I'm in paradise, I don't have to escape. I'm already there! Which makes writing a chore instead of a pleasure.
Interesting, I thought.
I'm home now and relishing my writing and the routine I'd established to get me through a lethargic vacation hangover.
Does anyone else there experience this phenomenon? Is escape one of the benefits you experience with your writing? Or is there a greater personal benefit for you?
Not the case...lucky for me.
What writer hasn't wished for a vacation? Preferably alone in some secluded location (maybe tropical, maybe a winter cabin) where all they had to concern themselves with is eating, sleeping and writing?
This week I tagged along on my husband's convention trip to San Diego. It was wonderful. The weather was gorgeous, my kids were being happily spoiled with friends or grandparents and my husband was busy most of the day in meetings.I walked, I swam, I shopped, I ate, I socialized. I even took a rowing lesson on Mission Bay, something I've wanted to learn to do for years.
But I didn't write.
Oh, I dabbled, edited, read things over, but I didn't make any serious progress.
Unfortunately, I realized this week that not only is paradise not always what you need, but most of the time, paradise can be royally distracting.
I write for a lot of reasons, but one of the supreme benefits of writing (for me) is the ability to escape. Escape the everyday stress of bills and kids and work, or things I don't want to face or think about all the time like that water heater that needs replacing, that other kid calling my kid names on the bus, or that nasty coworker I've got to face.
But, when I'm in paradise, I don't have to escape. I'm already there! Which makes writing a chore instead of a pleasure.
Interesting, I thought.
I'm home now and relishing my writing and the routine I'd established to get me through a lethargic vacation hangover.
Does anyone else there experience this phenomenon? Is escape one of the benefits you experience with your writing? Or is there a greater personal benefit for you?
posted by Joan Swan at 11:50 AM
1Comments:
Glad you're back and well rested. You deserved a big, huge break. Although I'm really disappointed we don't have hunky firefighter pictures to drool over. :)
Yes, I'm the same. Can't ever get much done on a "vacation". I've found just relaxing and brainstorming is the best thing to do when you're away.
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