I have been sporadic about writing here, and only slightly better about writing elsewhere. Immediately after I graduated, I started getting up an hour earlier in the morning to write, which meant I got up at 4 AM. This lasted for about a month and a half. I hoped that if I continued to get up that early, my body would be forced to sleep at a reasonable hour, but I still spent most of the night tossing and turning as usual, and then being so exhausted that I couldn’t get out of bed, though I could not actually sleep either. Blah blah blah.
I now write in fits and starts, for 15 minutes on the bus, for a half hour between work meetings, on my lunch break if I’m lucky. But it’s a very solitary effort, and I feel pretty isolated from other writers, or even just from people who know I write in general.
I decided to put this here, in the spirit of asking for what I want, in case any of you have the capacity and desire to talk to me about writing. And, if not that, then to at least acknowledge to myself and whoever reads this that I am still writing, even if my pursuits in academia no longer require it. So, here goes:
I recognize I need support to establish and maintain sustainable writing habits. The people I want support from are my loved ones and fellow writers. The ways I want them to support me include …
I want people to ask about my writing with affirming questions like: “What are you writing that you’re excited about?” or: “How are you feeling about x?”, where “x” is some writing thing I’ve told that person about previously.
Occasionally, I want people to make dinner for me so I can write.
I want people to suggest publications for me to target.
I want people to acknowledge that I work hard.
I want people to ask me for my input and feedback on their own writing.
I want to be held accountable and to hold those I support accountable.
I want to feel like my writing is something of value even if that value is not financial.
I want to be solicited to join a writing group.
Thanks for reading, more soon!
Blind inFlight 
Lauren, you don’t remember me but I was around when you were born. And you were a hard worker from day one! I know from your Mom that that has continued throughout your life. I love to read your writings and, indeed, I consider them writings and you a writer. Keep on keepin on!
Hi Lauren, I would love to talk with you about writing. I didn’t get a degree but I learned a lot from my classes. The most valuable thing I learned is the importance of
Ritual and Routine to invite the muse. I am very fortunate to have been able to shift my schedule at work ( after 14 years!) so I can write in the morning. I feel that this is a true blessing since writing helps me reclaim myself. I support you and extend myself to you – for starters I could meet up on a weekend or evening to talk about writing. Kudos for reaching out!