Earlier this year, I reconnected with a writer friend and we decided to try doing a weekly writing group. He had a novel that he was working on, and I had some short-stories while I was working on my sci-fi novel. (As I’ve said, I don’t like to get critiques until the entire draft is done.) We missed a few appointments due to conflicts, but it wasn’t until April that the misses became more than the meetings. 

And then, last week, we decided to cancel the series. 

He’s going through it just like I am — work stresses, family stresses, personal stresses, lack of desire to write. I still have a few short-stories that he could go over, which would keep me going for a few more weeks, but when I ran out of those I’d be stuck. I don’t feel like writing much either — all of my creative energy goes toward job applications these days. 

Having an accountability partner can be helpful, but when neither of us keep each other accountable it doesn’t really work. 

I wonder if I should stop working on my sci-fi novel and start on one of my fantasy novels instead. I have three of them, including a MG fantasy, that I’ve either outlined or drafted. And of course there’s still the GWWA novel to revise. 

When I eventually get a better job — whenever that is — I’ll probably feel like doing more writing again. I’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges. Now is just not the time. Now is the time to cancel the series.