Dolly Parton's songwriting is on hold right now, for a heartbreaking reason. Parton reveals that ever since she lost her husband Carl Dean earlier this year, that she has been unable to tap into the emotions necessary to pen a heartfelt tune.
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"Several things I've wanted to start, but I can't do it," Parton reveals on Khloé Kardashian's Khloe in Wonder Land podcast (via Billboard). "I will later, but I'm just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won't finish it."
Part of the reason Parton can't work on her songwriting right now is because of her numerous other business ventures, all things that require a lot of hard work and devotion.
"I can't do it right now because I've got so many other things that I can't afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now," the 79-year-old explains. "So there are times like that, things like that that will start here a little bit, but I'll write something else, though, if it comes. So I'm just putting that all on hold."
What Dolly Parton Says About Life Without Carl Dean
Parton was just 18 years old when she met Dean, who passed away shortly before what would have been their 59th wedding anniversary. Moving on without Dean is understandably a challenge for Parton.
"It's a big adjustment just trying to change patterns and habits," Parton admits on the Today Show. "I'll do fine, and I'm very involved in my work, and that's been the best thing that could happen to me. But I'll always miss him, of course, and always love him. He was a great partner to me."
Dean was sick for a while, which makes it a bit easier for Parton to move on without him.
"I'm doing better than I thought I would," the Grand Ole Opry member tells Knox News. "I've been with him 60 years. So, I'm going to have to relearn some of the things that we've done. But I'll keep him always close. I need to laugh. I need some fun, so I'm probably gonna be stupid. I've been crying enough the last week or two. I'm at peace that he's at peace, but that don't keep me from missing him and loving him."
