Wednesday, October 3, 2018

IWSG Wednesday



The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

FYI: The IWSG monthly question can be found under the IWSG Sign-up tab on the IWSG Blog.

This month's co-hosts:
Dolorah
Christopher D. Votey
Tanya Miranda
Chemist Ken
Thank you.


The October 3 question - How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?
Most of the time life changing events put my writing on the backburner. The exception was when a cat I was particularly attached to passed. That cat was my constant. My son once asked me why I showered so much attention on the cat when I got home from work.  I told him, he was the only one that always waited at the door to greet me. The next day my son was waiting at the door when I got home. When my cat passed I channeled my loss into my writing and wrote The Cats of Catarau Series: An afterlife for cats where there is no sickness or aging, no mistreatment or pain and where they can use one of their nine lives and recycle back to earth if they choose. Creating that fantasy world helped me work through losing him.
What about you? Has life altering events affected your writing or whatever creative outlet you use?
AND...
I switched out some covers. What do you think?
Old: 
Well only a few months:)

New:







49 comments:

Heather R. Holden said...

Those new covers are so lovely!

And losing a pet never fails to be devastating. Glad to hear The Cats of Catarau was able to help you get through your grief when you lost one you were so close to...

Elephant's Child said...

LOVE your new covers.
I hope that your imaginary friends NEVER stop talking to you. And that mine inspire me to write.

Valerie-Jael said...

Your new covers are definitely more dynamic, I like them! I always talk to myself, and don't intend to stop! Have a great week, hugs, Valerie

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

Love the new covers :-) And creating that fantasy world for cats was definitely the way to go to help with the grief: that way your loved ones are always with you. I added faery dogs to my writing as a way to cope with losing my furbabies. Happy IWSG day!

Ronel visiting on Insecure Writer's Support Group day: Course Correction

Adam said...

I've only written three books, and they're all done. Never had a life changing experience affect them. Usually it wouldn't change the outcome, just delay the release date.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I prefer the new covers.

JFM said...

What your son did was heart touching ❤
Pets make our lives brighter. You handled your grief in a way that was special for you as a writer.
Your new covers are wonderful and lovely 💮

Hugs 🍁🎃🍂

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Did your son get some extra loving attention for that?

Jamie Ghione said...

That was great what your son did.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Some people have trouble believing pets are family, but when they are your ONLY family, it is truly devastating to lose one. The love you had for that cat cannot be measured, except in the series of books its loss produced. Great answer to the question of the month and a great response by your son while you were in such pain, too.

Not sure Flower Gardens needed changing, but it is a lovely new cover none-the-less.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Heather:)

Computer Tutor said...

I think I'd have to agree: life-changing events have taken from my writing time. Even if it could have been an outlet, I had no time for it. The exception, of course, was changing jobs. Writing helps fill that void.

The covers--the new ones are gorgeous. I haven't read either book but was drawn to the horse in the old version. I'm bingeing on Westerns right now. Maybe that isn't actually its theme?

Out on the prairie said...

still smiling at the writers block at the end

Sandra Cox said...

Heh. Glad you liked it, Steve.

Sandra Cox said...

Here's to our imaginary friends, EC:)

Crystal Collier said...

Kitty... =( I've had brief seasons when I couldn't write because of extreme trauma, but mostly those seasons are buckets where I store up an excess of emotion to be applied to later writing.

Sandra Cox said...

Heh. We are our own best listeners aren't we?
Thanks, Val.
Hugs

emaginette said...

I think when I pass, I'd like to go where the cats go. It sounds heavenly. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Lowcarb team member said...

I like your new covers :)

All the best Jan

Pat Hatt said...

Did you brush your son too? lol

Never easy when they pass. Great new covers indeed.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandr - yes I thought the same as Pat ... and did your son curl up on your lap and purr happily?! Cats are just great ... the covers too - though personally I prefer the 1st and the 4th ... not sure if that helps ... but--- cheers Hilary

Adam said...

Nice new covers

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Ronel!
Faery dogs sound lovely.

J.Q. Rose said...

The new covers are eye catching. What a sweet boy. Yes, we've lost pets and I know how difficult it is. So happy writing about the cats (and what a clever story idea) helped you through the turmoil of loss.
JQ Rose

Lauren Macrie said...

The premise of your Cats of Catarau series brought tears to my eyes. What a clever way to channel your grief. :)

Christine said...

I like that writer's block one.

Sandra Cox said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandra Cox said...

What genre did you write in, Adam? Historical?

Sandra Cox said...

Me too:)

Sandra Cox said...

I do too, Di.

Sandra Cox said...

Of course:)

Sandra Cox said...

My son has a beautiful spirit:)
Pets do make our lives brighter, Jan.
Glad you like the covers.
Hugs

Magic Love Crow said...

I LOVE your new covers! Brilliant!
Bless your cat, that passed away! Our fur babies mean so much to us!
On our news today, someone duck taped a poor cats face. It was found and will be put up for adoption soon. Lucky it was alright and they named him lucky.
Big Hugs, Sandra!

Sandra Cox said...

It made my day:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Elizabeth:)
Hugs

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Adam! Glad you like them:)

Sandra Cox said...

Way to channel, Crystal!

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you. That is so sweet.
Unfortunately, there's a no humans rule:(

Birgit said...

I like the new book covers. It’s always good to change things up. I miss my Katie girl very much, she was a black lab and I hope she is with my dad and mom now....I really miss my mom. It’s funny how alone I feel without my mom here to listen and offer hugs. I totally understand your son:) my hubby showers his one pussy cat with kisses and hugs so I tried to meow and purr....he just looked at me like I just took a hit of LSD.

Amy Keeley said...

The book covers look gorgeous! Good luck with them. :)

I love the backstory for your Catarau series. I think it's a great concept, too!

Sandra Cox said...

Heh. I don't think he would have appreciated that:)

Sandra Cox said...

Ha. He skipped that part:)

Sandra Cox said...

Heh. Me too:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Janet:)
It did help:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you for your empathy, Lauren.

Sandra Cox said...

Monsters.
Glad he is getting a chance at a new, much better life.

Sandra Cox said...

Cute about meowing to the HH:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Amy:)

Sandra Cox said...

It's a time travel western romance:)