Change in Plans

KenTen Retreat last year

On a normal year, I would be leaving this afternoon to head to the KenTen Writers' Retreat. We'd all eat dinner together this evening--pulled pork sandwiches and laughter all around. Then, I'd spend two days mostly talking about writing and reading and perfecting craft and marketing, having my spirit lifted by being around others who understand what it's like to have stories pop into your head and not leave you alone until you write them down, and hanging out with Heather Greer and Erin Howard, filming a few more youtube videos between retreat sessions.
​But this is not a normal year.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, our retreat has been moved to the first week of August. That means that even though my creative heart needs a lift right about now, I have to hang in there for a bit longer. I will admit to having good times and bad times through all of this. I have achieved a few things, though. I've written a book, snagged a contract, and started working on a proposal for another one, too. I even started writing a new story, though I only have two chapters down so far.
But then some days I do good to do more than read things others have written and survive the day to day activities that must be accomplished. And I feel guilty for not writing. This has all taken a toll on me, but there's no saying that something else might not have had me in the same funk.
However, I will keep on writing on the days that I am inspired. And between those days, I will read to be inspired, and keep thinking on my story ideas until they flesh out enough in my head to get down. I won't give up. I will push through and look forward to having that retreat in August for a full refilling of my author cup.
Have you had something bit change that you were looking forward to lately? Are you also struggling to find motivation to do things you normally enjoy? How are you coping?