Knocking Down Writer's Block

I've had writer's block before but it doesn't mean I like it. This is by no means the longest drought of creativity as far as novel writing is concerned.

I'm still writing, mainly short stories set in the Werelove universe (more about that in a later post) and sporadic writing down of scenes from my various series.

The biggest problem is getting my mind set to write a novel. I've got notes, outlines and my usual tricks for putting pen to paper but I keep coming up empty. I know the biggest reason for the drought is the mental stress I've been under these last two years. I don't normally through stuff out like this but I think this time I should, if only to help myself put things in perspective.

I've had the following major life changes & issues and all of them, have in some fashion or form, influenced my lack of writing.

• Got married and relocated to a new county.
• Family health issues – hubby being hospitalized for pneumonia and an emergency room visit for me that has lead to ongoing test to discover what exactly is going crazy with my body.
• Having my youngest being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome & ADHD back in September 2014 and all the subsequent doctor visits which are still ongoing. Also the struggles in school for my youngest and the tutoring to bring the reading level up to grade level. My youngest is still in therapy and also on medication that has brought an improvement in attention which has led to a happier child and teachers.
• Having my oldest be diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety disorder and ADHD as well as having my oldest be Baker Acted twice this year for suicide ideation. This also has lead to doctor's visits. Medication as well as treatment plan to help my oldest seems to be helping
• My biological father trying to re-enter my life after he has been absent from it since the age of 5. He wants a relationship. I'm thinking, I'm in my 30s now, so how about....No!
• Work-related stress because of my hubby's job that he had given much of himself and drive to, turned sour and brought financial instability into our lives. Happily this stressor has been removed because  he left the old job and has a new job that he enjoys.
• The relationships of both my children with their fathers. My oldest's father has no relationship with my oldest. My youngest's father fights/butts head with my youngest, while having his own set of mental health issues. Both of my kids love their stepfather (my hubby) but at the same time they do want relationships with their fathers and trying to get the biological fathers to understand that and do something about it has been exhausting.

At the end of the day, I'm so drained I can't get into my writing and when I do sit down to try to accomplish something, some emergency or situation always arises to destroy my "happy place" that I need to write.

I will figure it out and I'm going to use NaNoWriMo to again put me back on track and in the driver seat of my writing life.