Snotvaganza

...a new word bought on by a combination of my head cold and teaching A Handmaid's Tale to the students (prayvaganza, anyone?)

So. The edits for HH:PW inch along. I just shut down an accelerated literature class last night, so that's going to help me get the edits and the study guide completed. Happily, I set the edit due date for the 23rd, with the idea that work might not ease up, and I might need to dedicate my spring break to Tony, Leo, and Bianca. I like being able to occasionally read the future!

***

You might remember that I was diagnosed with situational depression a month ago? I won't go into any details, as this isn't that kind of journal, but I do want to put in a plug for depression medication. While my dosage is light, and short term, I have to tell you that I notice I feel loads better taking it. Lots of little nervous habits I have are gone for the duration. My weird dreams are also gone. And, no more chest tension when there is too much to do.

Why do I even mention it? Well, artistic sorts, we tend to be moody and depress more easily than most. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true! If your doctor tells you you need depression medication, you might listen. Ignore the stigma, if you feel there is any. My counselor suggests that people who feel it's a crutch have no authority to suggest this. My doctor proposes that it is no worse than a diabetic managing their lifestyle changes. If you're taking an SSRI, you have a seratonin problem, perhaps even temporarily. Nothing wrong with taking the pills until you're "cured."

Signing off. My check from the pharmaceutical company is in the mail, I'm sure.

Catherine

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.

Writing and Magic versus Writing and Money

Jennifer Jackson links to two interesting places today, and I can't resist.

There's More than One Measure of Success as a Writer by Patrick Ness, suggesting that enjoyment alone is enough reason to write, and maybe unpublished writers are also writers?

and

Best Thing about Writing? Money by Allison Flood in which Colm Toibin suggests that his writing is all about cash, not enjoyment.

Hmmm...I suspect there's lots more to be said on this, and I suspect also that this is not a clear dichotomy.

I wrote a fairly long-winded response to Jennifer's original posting, and then realized that I should probably post that here for purposes of discussion, because it's a topic I find fascinating as an author, a former writer of a fairly popular fan fiction story, and an academic researcher.

Read the rest of this entry »

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.