It’s not that I don’t care, but when I’m trying to confont the dreaded blank page I don’t really need to hear what Dr. Phil has just said to a phillandering husband. I realize that I’m at home, and when I’m at home it doesn’t seem fair I’m not available, but that’s the nature of the beast. We should all be as lucky as Richard Condon who built a second house in his back yard and went to it every day like an office, or Evan Hunter who actually kept an office to write in. Alas few of us will ever be successful enough to have that option. Perhaps we should all just find a friendly coffee or tea shop like J.K. Rowling. But, let’s be honest, if our spouse was the one doing the writing, we’d no doubt be bugging them. It’s the bored five year old hiding in all of us.

The word “reassuring” was a poor choice. What I meant is that I’m thankful to be cognizant of potential problems. – until reading this piece, I’m not sure if I would have been aware…

Somehow, we’ve developed a mutual respect and understanding of each others’ needs over the past four years – be it creative, personal, or what-have-you. Currently, our biggest problem has nothing to do with understanding the demands of the writing process, but with our shared computer. I’m in my last semester of Graduate School, requiring the computer most evenings. My significant other works full-time during the day. Therefore, both of us need the computer at the same time. The problem not only lies in our limited resources, but in wanting to compromise for each other, e.g,. he always offers to give up the computer to accommodate my needs, and I tend to do the same. To avoid a “Gift of the Magi” situation, we’re looking into buying another computer!

Regardless of how we resolve the current computer issue, I’m very thankful for your unique insights. I would like to believe that I know my man’s mind better than anyone – but its is reassuring to know that he may be silently struggling with issues I’m unaware of. Either way – I feel like I’ve been let in on a secret usually reserved for “members only.”

Yeah. Its called a deadline.

“A writer who doesn’t hold up his end of a relationship is at least at much at fault as a partner…”

Nah. I don’t believe that.

“… who fails to honor a writer’s calling.”

Most writers I know, including myself are driven. When the ‘push’ comes I either write right then or else the ‘push’ goes away.

Yeah. I’m working on a novel now. Part of the working title is “…cum incendium et mucro” (with fire and sword).

Write what you know, know what you write.

Thanks, Russ. Fine work.

Were you ever married to such a person in the ’80s?

Oh, they’re around. In fact, they’re often a big part of why a talented writer isn’t getting published.

In most cases, the best deal a writer can hope for is a significant other who won’t actively get in the way. The death of many a writing career is active resentment by a partner who gets what an artist’s life is about – and resents it….

And if the artist is both a writer and musician…or any kind of multi threat…all kinds of fresh hells are possible….