Welcome to this month’s meeting of the Insecure Writers’ Support Group, a blog hop created by Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosted this month by Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray. Are you a writer? Do you feel insecure? Well, then this is the support group for you! Click here to learn more and to see a list of participating blogs.
Hello, friends!
Writing is good. Writing helps people. Writing adds a little magic and color to our otherwise greyscale world. I know this, but sometimes I forget.
Last month, my significant other lost her job. It was a sudden, unexpected thing. This has caused us both a lot of stress and anxiety, disrupting our plans for the future, and also, incidentally, sidetracking me from writing all month long.
It’s not just that I was too busy, or too stressed, or too distracted to write. Given the situation, writing felt like an indulgence. I felt ashamed of myself for wanting to write (to have the fun of writing) when someone so close to me was in distress. So I told myself that writing’s not important, that writing’s not useful or practical right now. I put my pen and paper away and told myself that writing can wait.
Turns out that was the wrong thing to do.
Years back, I watched an interview with Stan Lee, of Marvel Comics fame. He said he often felt embarrassed by his job, that he felt he wasn’t doing anything important with his life. He felt guilty for having a “fun job” when so many people in the world were struggling.
But then it occurred to him that if he could give people a break from reality, just for a little while, isn’t that a good thing? If he could help people forget their hardships, just for a little while, isn’t that a good thing? If he could just entertain someone—get them to smile or laugh—get them to cheer for their favorite super hero—isn’t that a good thing? It’s not silly or selfish to do that kind of work. It’s not “just fun” to do that kind of work. Creating stories for people to enjoy is a good thing.
My significant other had to remind me of all this. She had to remind me that my writing means something to her, just as much as it means something to me.
The world out there can be uncaring and cruel. There’s not much I can do to fix that. There’s only so much I can do to help even the people immediately around me. But I can write. I can tell stories, and maybe someday, someone who needs a little magic and color in their world will find those things in something I write.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Here’s a video of Stan Lee talking about how he used to feel embarrassed about his job. I don’t think this is the same interview I originally saw, but he makes the same basic point.
And if you want some sciency reasons to believe your writing helps people, here’s an article from Psychology Today on the cognitive benefits of reading fiction.
And lastly, I’ve recommended this book before, and today I’m recommending it again: We Need Your Art, by Amie McNee. If you seriously doubt the value of your art (writing or otherwise), this book is the pep talk you need.
i-love-space.com 
I’m so sorry your partner lost their job. I remember losing mine not long after my husband died. It was so stressful. I’m glad your partner is supporting you in writing, which gives you joy in this stressful time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oof. Losing your job right after losing your spouse is rough. Not sure how I’d handle something like that.
LikeLike
Really sorry she lost her job.
We write to give others joy in times like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s my belief as well.
LikeLike
Unemployment is a tough one, especially right now. I agree that writing, even or maybe especially writing fluff, is a valid thing to do in times like these. I cling to the idea that my books offer someone a much-needed escape from a real world that’s pretty overwhelming these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, that’s a belief that I’m clinging to right now too.
LikeLike
It’s tough to write when you are going through a tough time. Sometimes I give myself a break when it’s just too much, but writing is also my solace. And as you said, it’s a gift to other people. It’s no small thing to give people joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, writing brings me a lot of solace, too. It’s one thing to take a short break from writing. But to stop writing for weeks at a time doesn’t help me, and it doesn’t help the people I love either.
LikeLike
I’m sorry that you and your partner are experiencing the stress that comes with one of you loosing a job. Terry and I have both gone through this during our marriage. Eventually we get through these challenges. Meanwhile, whatever has been happening to me, books have always been an escape and a comfort. So keep writing, please. Wishing your partner lots of success in job hunting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I really appreciate that, and I’m sure my partner will, too.
LikeLike
Sorry your partner lost her job. I know it might sound corny, but when one door closes another one opens. You have to believe, and put some effort, that something better will be coming. Maybe, something they’re meant for. Also, glad she supported to keep writing and not to stop for her sake.
LikeLike
I remember when my husband lost his job, then I lost mine. And we’re older–but not old enough to retire. I worried about living in the same house 24/7 with him. It worked out. I’m thinking positive for you.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by my blog. So sorry to hear about your partners job loss. I can understand your concern with wanting to write in the face of other challenges. Sometimes, it’s the little or simple things that help people the most during trying times. I’m glad you shared this post. Thanks for the recommendation. I’m so glad I’m able to visit blogs this month without any health issues. I really needed this.
LikeLike
Love the Stan Lee clip. He is right, and so are you. Entertaining people with our stories is very important, especially when the times turn sour, like now. Let’s keep doing it.
LikeLike