Welcome to Ridingwrite, a blog about my connection between riding and writing.
This summer, I didn't do much of either. I can blame illness, and it's true, I was very sick most of the season. But, truthfully, I didn't feel like doing much of either, and it didn't have anything to do with health issues.
I didn't want to ride, and I didn't want to write.
There, I said it.
Last summer, I rode a lot. This is Cinnamon, my filly, pictured. She was a three yr old last summer, and once I got her started, I rode her a lot. At least three times a week. I had to commute over 50 miles one way to do so, but it was worth it. Every time out, Cinnamon learned a little more, got a little gentler. It was exhilerating.
But since last summer, I haven't touched her, not even once.
My writing hasn't been quite that bad, but it hasn't been good. I just don't have the pressing desire to get a manuscript done. I have worked with a couple, but not with the usual summer rush I usually do.
For the first time in I don't know how long, I don't have a finished manuscript at summer's end.
I don't know what's wrong. I haven't lost my desire to write, and I haven't lost my desire to ride....but I don't feel that old push to get the saddle out, or the urge to cram every free minute with words on the screen either.
Hopefully next summer, I will get fired up again.
Hi D'Ann,
ReplyDeletePretty animals. Is the dog an Aussie or a border collie? Can't see if it has a tail or not. i had a quarter horse a few years ago, loved him to death. I miss riding, but we don't have the fence to keep horses anymore. Good luck getting in the mood to write and ride again!
I used to break horses to ride and trained in dressage. I was a professional farrier--horseshoer/blacksmith--for over three years when I was younger. I wish I could have a horse again, but I live in Alaska. The cost would be high, and the labor is too prohibitive for my bad knees.
ReplyDeleteI got hurt in March 2008, couldn't hardly walk much or stand for long for about two years. That's when I took up writing again, to have something to wake up for and be excited about.
Having health issues is so deceptive. You think "What’s the matter with me? I'm not that bad. I am lazy, just not doing enough. I can't walk much or stand long, but people worse off than me get more done." But the fact is, more than your legs or whatever health issue you have is affected. Your spirit is affected. Your future is affected. When I realized I needed to quit training dogs, cause I kept getting hurt, it was a hard thing. I would probably never climb Flattop Mountain again. Would probably not ski again. I grieved over the things I loved that I wouldn’t do again.
I had another operation on my knee, and I can walk better now, well enough to get around without clomping awkwardly and do housework and take short walks. And I'm mostly okay with it. I'm on the upswing from my injuries. I think I will slowly get much better.
But I'll never climb mountains again. I'll have to let my characters do that for me. Maybe someday, if I move to another area where keeping horses would be easier and cheaper and I'll have a horse again. Or a mule. Not sure I should ride an animal whose reputation so closely parallels mine, but what can I say? I like them. We have GOOD things in common.
So be kind to you. Give yourself time to heal all the way through. Be patient. Someday, you will look back and better understand what your mind and body have gone through.
Nice website, D'Ann....
ReplyDeleteHang in there, your fire will get started again. I was the same way with my garden last year. I basically ignored it, and it looked like crap. But this spring I couldn't wait to get out into the garden again. I transplanted plants, ripped out overgrown bushes, mulched, weeded, photographed...If I wasn't writing, I was in the garden...Then our record hot summer came along here in Pennsylvania and my garden looks like crap now anyway, but at least the weeds aren't taller than the flowers this year...LOL
Wow, I love the background. How did you do that? The blue on black is hard to read though.Are you going to write on the other blog also? I think it's one of those years. Or you're temporarily burned out. It will come back. Maybe you need to distance yourself from it. You've done a lot of writing and a lot of critiquing/judging. You've had health issues and grief. You just need a break. It will come back.
ReplyDeletePretty blog, D'Ann. I think you're in a place, writing-wise, where we all (unfortunately) spend some time. I'm there with you now.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, my two things are writing and sewing, but I can only do one at once. If one of them is going well, the other's in the toilet. Right now, my sewing's a lot of fun, so we know where that leaves the writing!
But, we will climb out of the toilet. I'll write again and you'll write and ride again. Promise!
Hola!
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy to get burned out on writing. If you start writing again only because you're feeling guilty, then I think you're wasting your time. Leave it alone for a few days and recharge. Great pics!
Jen
Thanks so much for coming by! I didn't do this site, my friend Carrie Spenser did. I love the colors of it! I'll change font color next time.
ReplyDeleteI love horses. Cinnamon is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteI think it's normal to get into a funk sometimes. I have been in a funk too for a while. I haven't written anything new since last year, but I am kicking around ideas and looking for my next story. Sometimes you need to take a break in order to find that next story. It's amazing what ideas can come about by just reading some books or doing something different.