I suppose. If I let go of the idea that it was a fluke, and stuff. But it's kind of specific. But there are a few other angles I could write it from, I guess, if I needed to.

No such thing as a fluke.

Thanks, erika.

I just had a small kerfuffle with my writing group. I've been wanting to bow out , at least temporarily, for a while now. When I announced my intention to do so, I got nearly mugged.

I'm not writing. I haven't been writing. It feels like I'll never write again. I feel like a slimy fraud showing up at meetings, even when I'm line-editing and critiquing for others. I thought some time off might help, but they're telling me breaking that last commitment will somehow give me permission to give up entirely.

I'm just tired.

Well, you know...but okay, I'll keep that in mind. The funniest part of the movie "Adaptation" for me was that established writer went through the "I'm ugly and can't write" thing too. I loved that movie.

Nope, no such thing as a fluke, Victor's quite right.

Well, you know...but okay, I'll keep that in mind. The funniest part of the movie "Adaptation" for me was that established writer went through the "I'm ugly and can't write" thing too. I loved that movie.

I liked "Adaptation" when I first watched it, but the more I think about it, the more brilliant I find it.

Kind of like Pringles.

Beverly, it's not their place to make that decision for you. If leaving is what feels right at this time, then do so. Don't let them bully you into staying if you don't want to.

Substitute "disability-rights movement" for writing group, and btdt.

Victor, I just now read your essay because I'm slow, and I didn't want to say "I'M A FAILING WRITER". But I did, and it's really wonderful and I'm glad you wrote it and that I got to read it.

I really need to get back to work. My novel (and boy do I feel that should be in quotes) suddenly wants to be a graphic novel, and I think that's because I'm a damned jackdaw, always excited about the shiny thing, and I don't know how to go about writing something like that, at least not yet, though I'm going to learn, because I'm interested now.

I find I have these constraints in my head that usually allow me to write a decent story; but when I can snip those cords, sometimes I'm actually close to brilliant and intriguing and somewhat escheresque. But I don't know how to snip them and keep them snipped. That's what's got me stalled right now, and led me to start wondering about graphic novels.

Bev, would some more takes from this end on WIP help? I could assemble the notes and send them along. But having taken ten years off because I hated the industry and had nothing to say, me telling you to hang in with the group would carry about very little weight.

edit: and besides, I think Teppy and erika are right. If you feel like leaving that group? Your decision, and no one else's.

I'd love to hear them, Deb. I need a WIP. Maybe. Or maybe I just need to stop hoping the switch will flip back to "on".

Maybe I need to just walk away, get involved and invested in other things, and let the writing go. If it's meant to be it'll come back, and if it wasn't, then letting go now rather than later is a good thing. Giving up that self-identification is so very difficult, but hanging onto it feels more and more unearned and wrong.

I wasn't sure--still am not--this thread was the appropriate place for this subject. So thanks for the input, and sorry for the hijack.