Friday, October 31, 2014

Climbing out of the Quagmire

The last few months have been really rough here. A close family member lost her fierce battle with cancer and we're all reeling with the emotions (obviously). My go-to response to fear and sadness and tragedy is cooking/baking and I've stocked up everyone's freezers & fridges with enough soup, lasagnas, meatballs, chili, muffins, and cookies to last them through the next few weeks.

My creativity has been pretty much shot since we heard the news back in January, but I want to give myself a boost, so I've signed my foolish self up for NaNo again. I really don't need another first draft kicking around - I have 3 stories ready for those final revising rounds as well as 3 more first drafts with lots of potential and lots of needs. But, my heart is sore and weary and I'm hoping this might help me rebound.

As usual, I have no plan, no plot, no outline. Heck, I don't even have character names yet. But I think this one will involve some hi-jinks in the snow. Or not. I guess I'll find out soon! One thing I do know is there will be a HEA (happy every after) because that's exactly what I need right now.

So, if you're on the NaNo trail, join me (I'm jemifraser over there) and let's pound out some words together!

And if you're so inclined, pop on over to From the Write Angle, where we're talking NaNo as well.

27 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

So very, very sorry for your loss. Give yourself time to heal and do whatever it is that helps with the process. Not doing NaNo, but good luck to you. Hope it's very productive and helps heal your heart.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm sorry, Jemi! I hope NaNo is therapeutic for you. Good luck!
And no names? Just leave a blank. Try not to leave too many blanks though...

JeffO said...

I'm sorry for your loss, Jemi. I know that writing has been a big help for me in getting through tough spots. I hope it will be for you, too.

And I'm in for NaNo, too (in my own particular way)--see you there!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Oh Jemi, I'm so sorry. Healing takes time. Good luck with NaNo.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sorry to hear about your loss. I hope the writing helps you through.

Unknown said...

Oh Jemi, I am sad to hear. And sadly, there is no magic potion for grief. Just time. Which passes far too slow for my liking sometimes.


Love and hugs xox

Jemi Fraser said...

Karen - that's what I'm hoping for!

Natalie - thank you. I hope it helps too :)

Alex - those blanks might be tough if I don't decide soon :)

Jeff - nano is all about the joy, not the rules! :)

Diane - thanks. Time really does help

Susan - thanks - me too :)

Wendy - you're so very right!

Mason Canyon said...

Jemi, so sorry for your loss. I understand how the emotions can overwhelm you. Hope the writing helps you work through your grief. Good luck with NaNo.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry, Jemi. I've found writing to be very healing.

DEZMOND said...

You forgot to stock my fridge too...
Good luck with the Nanomania...

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Mason - I'm hoping it helps too :)

Medeia - thanks! I hope I find the same :)

Dezzy - oops! I forgot to send them over the pond!!

klahanie said...

Hi Jemi,

I'm so sorry to read about your close family member. To your credit, you have kept yourself occupied with positive resources. Well done on doing that.

The creativity that can seem to dissipate is actually waiting for the right igniting moment. Through adversity, we see possibility.

Um, I must be kinda' back! NaNo..arggghhhh!!! NoNo to NaNo. LOL

Seriously, very nice to see you, my kind friend.

Gary

Yvonne Osborne said...

So sorry to hear about this, Jemi. I can sympathize, receiving similar news of this kind of a diagnosis from someone very very close in our family and it does set you reeling. I'm all for keeping busy, whether it be by cooking, gardening, writing or cleaning out the damn toilet. But writing would be my first choice. And you know, they say you can't write anything worth a hoot until life has beaten you black and blue. I set out on a new story like that too....no idea of where it's going until it starts writing itself. Good luck with NaNo this year. You'll get there because at heart you're a writer!

Jemi Fraser said...

Gary - thanks! Keeping busy and productive definitely helps. Hoping for joy from NaNo too :)

Yvonne - thank you. You are so sweet. I think that busy thing is amazingly helpful. Hoping to divert lots of energy to NaNo for the month :)

Dawn Simon said...

So sorry for your loss, Jemi. Writing can be healing, and so can keeping busy. Be gentle to yourself.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you Dawn - I'll try :)

Beth said...

Oh, Jemi, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sometimes we need to heal in whatever way makes the most sense, whether it's cooking or writing. Good luck with NaNoWriMo.

DMS said...

I am so sorry to hear about your family member. My heart goes out to you and your family. Sending you a big hug. I hope that writing will help to soothe some of the hurt you are feeling and a happy ending sounds important! Best of luck. :)
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - thank you. I'm hoping so :)

Jess - thanks so much. Those happy endings always help :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope writing gives you exactly what you need right now.

Romance Reader said...

Hugs Jemi. I am so sorry for your loss.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynda - thanks - me too :)

RR - thank you :)

Shelley Sly said...

Jemi, I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I admire how strong you are. You're doing good things, stocking up everyone's kitchens with food and keeping yourself productive. Wishing you the best with NaNo!

Carol Kilgore said...

Write through your sorrow and use that time to remember the good times. Sending healing thoughts your way.

Jemi Fraser said...

Shelley - thank you. We're all struggling and helping each other up - it's good to have family :)

Carol - thank you - I'm hoping to do just that!

LD Masterson said...

I'm very sorry, Jemi. I think you know I had a similar summer so I can imagine what you're dealing with. I hope plunging into NaNo is just what you need. Best of luck.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Linda. I know you've had a tough 2014 as well. Let's hope for a better 2015!!