This week I shared a piece with my writing group that didn’t feel successful. I wrote a response to a prompt that was full of false starts and repeated attempts to begin. I finally stumbled on a topic but then ran out of time.
The feedback I got was still valuable. One writer pointed out that the false starts had a coherence I didn’t recognize. Another commended me for showing my struggle with writing, something that happens to all of us.
But sometimes, the writing I share feels strong. About two weeks ago, I co-facilitated an Amherst Writers and Artists sponsored group for the Caregivers Project. Professional and family caregivers were encouraged to write in a group together.
The writing was not specifically about caregiving, but being among other caregivers helped writers to go deep quickly. I wrote a piece about my mother’s care for my father in his last weeks of life, something I likely wouldn’t have written about had I not been in that group.
Creators Who Become Caregivers
In her Substack post today, Nancy Reddy introduced her readers to a different type of intersection of creativity and caregiving. Nancy interviewed Susannah Nevison, someone who had an established creative life as a writer and teacher who then became a caregiver. The interview showed how the necessity of creating broke through the major changes caused by having a child during the pandemic.
Caregivers Who Become Creators
The Caregivers Project workshops are available to those who are burdened with caregiving and who might benefit from the solace of creativity and sharing new writing with a group of peers. There is something about the intersection of caregiving and creativity that deserves study.
Creativity can be hampered by the demands of being a caregiver, but it can be enriched as well. Writing about caregiving can create pieces that are evocative and moving. Creating as a caregiver is challenging, but rewarding.
