Friends, I’m still developing my website at www.victoriamarielees.com. I’m hoping to have the site live by August 2021. My Camping with Five Kids blog will be located at victoriamarielees.com as will my Adventures in Writing blog. One site to find Victoria Marie Lees and all her adventures and writing endeavors. Thank you all for your continued support!
And now onto my July 2021 blog post.
I’m co-hosting this month for Insecure Writers Support Group! I’d like to thank my fellow co-hosts for July: Pat Garcia, and Louise – Fundy Blue! Please visit them if you can.
Our question asks what would make us quit writing. This brought to mind whether my “quit writing” would be temporary while I get my act together—again—or permanent.
I think storytelling’s in my blood. Why would I quit? I mean, I’m not making much money. I fight with the family to find time to create stories. I drive myself crazy trying to create an online presence of who Victoria Marie Lees is, a platform in which to celebrate my writing. I don’t sleep.
Wait… Hmm… Maybe these are reasons to quit writing. After all, no one is waiting for the next YA short story by Victoria Marie Lees. No one is waiting for the next blog post by Victoria Marie Lees. No one is waiting for the college memoir by Victoria Marie Lees.
Ahem! Excuse me as my insecurities show.
If money and fame are the only reasons to write, then yes. I should quit writing. But let’s consider other reasons to write and create with words.
With fiction, a writer can live vicariously through her characters. Create adventures and danger and love and possibilities, all from the comfort of our writing space.
Social media posts and blogs offer friendship and advice to others. Connections. They say: “you are not alone.” And: “we are here to help each other.” This is why I so need you all at Insecure Writers Support Group!
Memoir can open up understanding within the writer and the reader. Offer help to others as the words offer support for the writer.
With poetry, as in all creative writing, places, ideas, and beliefs are scrutinized and explained; given validation and imagery.
In prose, images are created, visualized in words, and explained.
Yes, this is why Victoria Marie continues to write and create. Not for the glory, although that would be nice. Victoria is trying to understand herself and her world better. She’s trying to assist others to find solace through story, memoir, or poetry. Maybe even blog posts.
So I guess the answer to this month’s question would be: No. I don’t think I’d ever quit writing. Even if I can’t support myself with my writing, I may find the meaning of self.
Please feel free to offer any insight on this.
It will be interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey.
Thanks for visiting! And be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
Thanks for co-hosting!
Can't write for fame as it likely won't ever come. Must do it because you love it.
Thanks for co-hosting. If people wrote for the fame, they'd quit fast. I'm glad you write for yourself. I enjoy my writing but could see scenarios where I'd quit.
There had been many times when I said I should quit or wanted to, but I never could. Possibly quit publishing, but not quit writing. Writing is too much a part of me.
I agree that if we write for fame or money we may weigh the pros and cons and decide to stop writing. But then writers don't write for those reasons, if writing is in your blood you just can't stop. Thanks for co-hosting this month.
I've actually thought of this question a lot. For me writing is part and parcel of who I am. I can't imagine not writing. It would be like giving up breathing.
I think a lot of us feel a personal connection to writing and will never be driven away from it!
Beautiful post! I agree, I could never stop writing either, it is a part of who I am.
I believe if you're a writer, then writing is a part of your very essence. The core of your being. We may stop and start at many points in our lives but I don't think we can ever truly give it up! Even if it's just a journal entry or a story title, I've always written, even when I've "given up" on the pursuit of publication. It's in our blood and will never completely go away.
Lovely post! Thank you for co-hosting this month.
Jen x
Thanks for co-hosting today, Victoria. I hope you have fun visiting around. I loved all your reasons for writing. Like you, I write to understand myself and my world better. Wishing you satisfying writing this month!
Hi,
I like your answer. Victoria is trying to find herself and her world. That is one of the best reasons to write.
Have a wonderful month of July and take care.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks for cohosting this month. Good answer to this month’s question.
There are so many ways for writing to support us and I believe that money is at the bottom of the list! It is nice to be paid and published but being compelled to do something we love so much is also payment of the spiritual sort! thank you for sharing.
Thanks for co-hosting. Fame and money from our writing is a distant dream. We do get loads of readers' love, and ofcourse creative satisfaction.
Great post on your co-hosting day!
Many of us seem to have a need to write no matter what. Interesting to see how each writer expresses their desire. Many, would write even if no one read their work.
Thank you for co-hosting IWSG this month.
Lynn La Vita @ http://la-vita.us/write/
Ryanne? Is that you? J/k, sorry. My friend just finished a cross country camping road-trip with her five kids. I followed it via social media. What. A. Ride.
Great post. Happy IWSG Day, and thanks for co-hosting!
Interesting post. I feel the same – that's why I separated writing and publishing in my post. I can't quit making stories – they appear in my head whether I want them or not. They are as important to me as breathing. Publishing, on the other hand, is all about presenting my stories to others to read … or not. That I might eventually stop doing. It is a choice, while story-making is as inseparable from me as my red hair. No choice there, and I really don't want one. My stories belong to me. I would be lost without them.
Best of luck with your new blog! It sounds like you're self-hosting? I have two that way. They're different animals than my WP.com where WP takes care of everything.
Camping with 5 kids? No. Just no. LOL Sounds like a fun blog. Thanks for co-hosting.
Wonderful post, Victoria! Writing is how we communicate. For most, it's how we breathe. I never wonder why, or if I should. I simply know I have to. Your delightful Camping with 5 kids blog tells me you feel the same way. Never stop 😉 Thank you for co-hosting today!
Absolutely right, Alex! Thanks for weighing in on this topic. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your week!
My pleasure, Natalie! Yes, I believe people would quit quickly if they only wanted fame. Thank you so much for sharing here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
I don't think I'd ever quit writing either. I'll have slumps and periods where I barely do it (currently happening) but in the end, I'll keep at it because I enjoy it.
Writing is a part of me, too, Chrys. Keep at it! Your stories are good!
It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Kalpana! I'm so glad you stopped by. You are right. Writing is in my blood and I can't stop.
Thank you so much for sharing here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Tbreit! I'm so glad you stopped by. Doing something we love is what life's about. Thank you for clarifying that. Thanks so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Giving up breathing–right, Joylene. I couldn't have said it better. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Thanks for co-hosting!
My ultimate dream is to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and my next-biggest dream is the Sydney Taylor Book Award. But I'll happily settle for being remembered as a writer for all time, like Dante and Shakespeare, long after I've passed from this lifetime.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Steph W.! You are absolutely right. It's the personal connection to our writing that keeps us going. Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Thank you so much for your kind words, KJ. I truly appreciate them. And thanks for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Jen! Thanks for your kind words. I truly appreciate them. You're right. Writing's in our blood.
Thank you for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful week!
And thank you for co-hosting today! I appreciate your kind words. Writing to understand ourselves and the world is a great reason to write. Thank you for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. All the luck with your writing!
Yes it is, Pat! Thank you so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. And thank you for co-hosting. Have a beautiful summer!
My pleasure, Diane! And thanks for leaving a note here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you!
Fame and money are certainly distant dreams to me, Rachna. I would love to have the "readers' love," though. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a comment. Have a beautiful week!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lee. I truly appreciate them. And thanks for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Lynn! I'm so glad you stopped by. Yes, I write hoping for readers of my work.
Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
You're right – the connection we get just by blogging is fantastic. It's possibly kept a lot of us going in these hard times – that and sharing each others troubles over writing during a pandemic too.
Great post (I am looking forward to your next one!) and thanks for co-hosting today.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Adrienne! I'm so glad you stopped by.
No kidding?? Five kids camping across the U.S.A.? We did that, too! Wow! That's amazing. Did they use a pop-up trailer and stay at National Parks, too?
Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Patricia! I'm so glad you stopped by.
Ah, slumps and periods of not writing. We all have them. I'm praying your slump is a short one.
Thanks so much for weighing in here on the question of writing at Adventures in Writing. All best to you!
Hi Olga! Yes, I'd be lost without my stories, too. I'm a storyteller like my father before me.
Thank you so much for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you!
Everyone dreams of making a living off their writing, but fame, not so much. Still it's a big stretch to making a living too. Still, I couldn't give it up, no matter what. Thanks for hosting!
Good luck with the new site!
I don't see why I'd quit. I also like finding out more about myself, even if I'm just writing in my journal. I amaze myself with the topics I write about in my children's stories. They reflect what is important to me. Thanks for this post.
I think many of us would have quit long ago if money and fame were the goal. It's about communication and connection. If you've managed to speak to just one reader and help them in any way, it's hard to turn your back on that.
The people who stick with it have to be in it from the inside. Writing is a calling in that way. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Good point about the fellowship afforded by connecting with other authors on social media–like you! That connection was a lifesaver to me during the pandemic shutdown. Best wishes for abundant words & inspiration in July, and thanks for co-hosting!
No. I bought my domain name through hover. I have a tech friend I'm paying to set up the site for me. I believe she will be "hosting" it for me. Gosh! There's so much work involved here. Lots for me to do. I'll let everyone know when it's live.
Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing, Jacqui. Enjoy your week!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Melissa! I'm so glad you stopped by.
Oh we have so many wonderful memories to treasure from camping all over the U.S.A. and up into Canada. I'd be lost without my troops.
Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Hi Diedre! Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly appreciate them. Writing. It's the air that we breathe. Thanks for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful week!
It's funny, Carrie-Anne. I have the same dreams. More power to you. Thank you so much for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you!
You are right, Jemima. I think IWSG and blogging with fellow writers has kept many sane during this pandemic. Thank you so much for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. I'll look forward to seeing you next month. Have a beautiful week!
Thank you for your good wishes with my new website, Yolanda. What a lot of work! And thank you so much for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you!
I think most writers write to understand themselves, Dawn. We write to understand themes and topics important to us, too. All the luck with your children's stories. You can do this!
It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your weekend!
So true, Nick! And it is wonderful to know that you have indeed helped someone. Thank you so much for offering your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful weekend!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Samantha! Writing is definitely a calling.
Thank you so much for sharing your insight with the readers of Adventures in Writing. I so appreciate it! Have a beautiful day!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Sadira. It's nice to "meet" you, too. All people need connection, I think. The human is a social animal.
Thank you so much for sharing your insight and offering kind words here at Adventures in Writing. I so appreciate it! Have a beautiful day!
Tbreit, I need your blog site so I may visit you. Your profile page doesn't offer a blog address. Thank you!
If money and fame were the goal, I'd have been out long ago. Money? Ok. Fame? Yeah, not so much. Too much of an introvert here. I write to get the voices and pictures in my head out of my head. At the end of the day, I love the places and people of my stories and I can only hope some other people, might, as well. Blessings!
It is demanding when you don't use the WP or Blogger folks who do all the work for you. It's fun! I think you'll enjoy it.
Excellent reasons to keep going! And we all share most of those reasons to quit, yet we continue to write, and to share.
Self-knowledge is a great benefit to writing. 🙂
"Victoria is trying to understand herself and her world better." Love this!
Writing is a way to engage with the world, both internally and externally.