Writing Withdrawal

I love to write. I never get tired of writing. When I get up every morning, the first thing I want to do is start writing.

This Spring my daily writing schedule was severely interrupted due to two eye surgeries and a well-deserved vacation. The interruptions are not easy. Especially since I am currently entering the home stretch of the completion of my latest novel, “Revision: The Dawn of Awareness.”

(Available for pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Revision-Dawn-Awareness-Samuel-Freedman-ebook/dp/B0DNRGFDPM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23LXVFOZH8CAG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._Hp7Vas5Dlw7lQLz-QQH3x2C11RX941fE8iEbXlzN8c.IP0-t1VTyXtxLvKkeKNQZNCaFENaCcMcGmxK43HvzKs&dib_tag=se&keywords=revision+the+dawn+of+awareness&qid=1747772994&sprefix=Revision%3A+The+Da%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1)

As I have professed here and on other platforms, writing is my passion. I have a love affair with writing. (See my Valentine’s Day post “Love Letter to Writing” if you think that’s a stretch.) I write every day, for as long as I can. I have days, occasionally, when the words don’t come as easily. But those days are few and far between. On most occasions the words are brimming inside me, waiting to burst out as soon as I sit down at my computer.  

I was unable to write for nearly a month of days spread between the first week in March and the middle of May. The longest droughts were a week each on three occasions, with other days off sprinkled in. I missed writing every day terribly. The seven-day stretches were almost intolerable, as I worried about not completing my novel on time in addition to the absence of the activity.

Comparing this experience to the physical withdrawal from alcohol and drugs would be utterly disingenuous, but I can attest there was withdrawal, nonetheless. I got antsy. My fingers itched to tap on my keyboard. I was obsessed with recording every idea that popped into my head in case I forgot one of them before I could write about it. I woke up several times in the middle of the night with that awful feeling everyone can relate to that I missed something, such as an important test or crucial appointment or family event. But it was my writing that I missed.

Fortunately, I am now back to my normal routine. And I can feel the difference. I am much mor relaxed. I suffer almost no stress. I am more patient with others. And I end each day with a feeling of accomplishment.

Next time I take a vacation I will make sure to bring my laptop in case I need a quick fix.