I guess the bottom line is to be thankful if we’re lucky enough to have support, and to try in some small way to help others break free of their poisonous playmates. (Even if that help is simply understanding what they’re going through)

I include virtually everyone we interact with as a potential poisonous playmate simply because they all qualify.

Lest I leave you disillusioned, I leave you with these words of wisdom.

“While we can not choose our relatives, we can chose those we associate with and the influence they have upon us.”

So true, Thea. I don’t talk about my writing with non-writers much. They get ticked when I’m sleepy at 8:30 p.m. because I get up early to write. But they’ve learned to deal with it.

Eric and Mai, a supportive partner is key, and it’s great you have those. Therese, too. Because really, aren’t these the people who should want to make you happy? I’ve never understood the partner who is so jealous you have to spend every moment on their “approved” activity. That’s insecurity.

I also take the laptop to work sometimes, and write on my lunch break. When everyone else is out to lunch, there’s nobody to bother me… most of the time.

But the prime time is Saturday & Sunday mornings. If I get up early, there’s certainly nobody who has any interest in bothering me — my wife, friends, etc. are all sleeping.

So it’s just me, my morning pot of coffee, and the laptop.

I highly recommend that kind of Writing Zen.

More often than not it’s family or friend obligations. The rest of the time, it’s just obligations like yard work or taking care of things around the house. The lawn can’t go unmowed for a month just because I’d rather write.

I find it’s not so much a Poisonous Playmate issue as it is a Poisonous Obligation to real life.

I guess the trick with any of these roadblocks is to try to listen to your gut about these sorts of things and not the gnats buzzing in your ear.

Thanks for the post, Kath!