It’s Been a Long Time: Am I Still a Writer?
It’s been a long time since anyone has wanted to interview me about my writing.
Or maybe they wanted to, but up until recently, I wouldn’t have been able to oblige. As many of you know, I suffer from PAWS – post acute withdrawal syndrome – as a result of improperly weaning off Klonopin, a powerful, physician-prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Initially, my brain was so damaged that I couldn’t walk or talk. Worst of all, I couldn’t read and I couldn’t write. At 44 months off, I’m doing nearly everything I did prior to the injury. It’s just…harder.
And today, I found out that the interview I did with author AJ Alexander went live.
I met AJ during August McLaughlin’s Beauty of a Woman BlogFest (#BOAW2017), and we liked each other’s writing style. Also, we kinda thought we may have dated the same weird-psychopath for a minute there. We didn’t. (((wipes brow)))
I’m truly humbled to be recognized for my writing.
It’s been a long time since I’ve identified as a “writer” – but I must confess, I’m back to it again.
If you’d like to read the interview about my new creative process, click HERE.
Do me a favor.
Leave a comment.
I’m on a diet, and instead of chocolate, I’ll devour your words.
Also, check out Aurora’s blog.
And follow her on Twitter @AuroraJean_A.
tweet us @rasjacobson & @aurorajean_a
Welcome back RASJ! We’ve missed you.
Hi Nelson. I feel like I’m just starting to come back to life. How are you feeling, m’dear? I hope you’re feeling well.
I’ve had some issues but going well. Thanks for asking. You’ve come a long way in your art work. Great job! Looking forward to seeing some smiles again.
You’ve always been a great writer Renee. Still are. Life just sometimes throws us curveballs that MUST be dealt with… and some other things put on hold temporarily or shelved for the mid- or long-term, right?
A very warm welcome back! <3
Hi Professor.
I’m not sure if I’m really back yet. Not fully. But I’m certainly dabbling again, and it is feeling easier than it used to. Thanks for sticking with me during this nightmare.
Glad you’re back to writing. Now that you’re doing that, you also need to find that old 45 degree angle photo you used to use on Twitter. Something about that photo seemed to capture your essence.
Hi David. I know that you really loved that crooked me photo. The thing is I’m not that girl anymore. That girl was carefree and fearless, and frankly, I have seen too much horror at this point to really ever go back to being her. I see how people take advantage of other people, how corrupt our system is that it allows ordinary citizens to be victimized and protects the victimizers. I can’t unsee the recklessness which I see everywhere. The girl in that photograph was sleeping. I’m awake now and trying so hard to make a difference on this planet. I hope you can learn to like the new RASJ.
I can understand that, Renee. Hope you don’t mind if I love both you as you are and the carefree girl in the photo. After all, she got me interested in you in the first place.
What a wonderful, enlightening blog post, Renee. I’m flattered!!
You’ve been a GREAT and unique guest on my blog – and please, return whenever you feel like. I’d love to publish a guest post for example.
(And there are a couple comments for you on my post.) 😀
I’ll keep checking to see if anyone else stops by and I’ll respond to them as best I can. I’m glad you thought I was a “unique” interview. XO
Of course it is! You walked an unusual path to get where you are now. Admirable
Renee, I’m so glad to see you writing again! You’ve been through so much. I was happy to see you in BOAW17, too! You’re amazing and strong. I always loved your voice, and your new “woken up” voice (to adapt your words from your comment to David) is powerful. Your voice can’t help but change. Embrace it and let it unfold on your terms in your time. HUGS!
Hi Diana.
Wow. Thank you for taking a moment to respond. You actually made me cry. I’m alone so much these days. I love that I’m able to make art, but I really am trying to create a new home for myself where people will come to me to make art alongside me. I can’t seem to find a house where I live. The market is crazy. People are buying everything quickly, and I just can’t seem to find what I want where I want. I think my life will really start to improve when I find that place where I can really set down some new roots. Then I’ll be able to finish my book and really thrive as a creative force. I loved August’s BOAW2017. Your piece was wonderful! I’ll bop over to see what’s going on with you now. 🙂
Oh, Renee! You aren’t alone–at least not in spirit. I wish I were near you, so I could hug you! I’m grateful you have your art to pour yourself into. You will find just the perfect home for you. My own journey has been hard sometimes, and I hardly blog at all anymore. I am a completely different person now than I was when I started my blog four years ago. My life has unfolded in ways I could not have imagined two years ago when my whole world unraveled very quickly. I never imagined that I could be happy again. During a recent visit, my brother told me that it was like seeing me as I was over twenty years ago. I realized that who he was seeing was the new me–I was unfettered by roles I used to carry, inspired by strong women I know, and determined to find my voice on this new journey. The most surprising thing was finding love again, even though I felt broken sometimes. I don’t feel broken anymore. I love the new me and my new path. I don’t know how that will translate to blogging again yet. I’m here. Reach out if you need to. :-*
Diana: I’ve tried to respond to this twice but it just wouldn’t go thru. All I can say is I feel like you totally get me. You’ve obviously been thru a dark night of the soul, too, and you sound like a phoenix, rising from the ashes to start over again. I’m happy to feel like I want to write again. I never thought my brain would heal. It’s astounding to me that I’m starting to move thru it. I hope you are finding some kind of creative outlet. I’d hate to think you’ve stopped writing completely.
Renee, My experience has been a little different, but the grief and change and newness of everything is much the same, I think. Thank you for that comparison of me to a phoenix–I never thought of myself that way before now. That’s a beautiful way to think of this emerging from the dark night. Wow! I do continue to write fiction. It is one of the things that has kept me sane.
It’s still incredible to me to think about what you’ve been through. Honestly, I’ve never doubted your return or your triumph over any adversity, really. This is a better world with you navigating it and creating in it and I can’t imagine a maker who wouldn’t want you here and doing your things every day.
Eli, honestly, I can’t believe it either. As soon as I finish this art show, my next goal is to really sit down and finish my book about benzodiazepine withdrawal – how I made it. It’s an incredible story, filled with real life angels. But first, I have to prepare for the art show. I have to get all my ducks in a row. And fast!
Dear Renée ~ It’s wonderful to see you writing again! You’ve taken many of us along on your journey and we have cried, worried, hoped and cheered for you as the years have passed. You are a survivor … and a thriver … there’s so much more good to come in your life. Onward …