What Do You Give Up to Write?

As writers, we all know about making sacrifices. Some are easier to make than others. It's easy for me to skip vacuuming one day to score more writing time. Or to skip a television show if I'm really immersed in solving a plot problem.

Today I gave up on my plan to attend a writing conference because my youngest was asked to run in her first marathon on the same weekend. I don't have to be there at the finish line, but would I miss it? No way. She'll be there for me, cheering me on, the day I finally get a novel published.

It'd be easy for me to say that my family always comes first, ahead of my writing. But it doesn't. Sometimes I skip watching a family movie because I won't let go of my writing. Or I say "just a minute" and let it turn into an hour. I'm sure I sacrifice my health, every time I decide to sit at my computer instead of taking a brisk walk.

I guess my point today is that sometimes I need to stop and think about what I'm giving up for writing, whether I'm making a choice or giving in to an obsession.