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I started this blog back in 2012, after the death of our Lex.
Ya see, I read his blog every morning, without fail, it was as much a part of my morning as my coffee. When he was gone, I drifted aimlessly for a bit, then decided, hey, I can do my own blog.
So I did.
Why?
Partly to fill the void left by Lex, partly as something to occupy my mind. There was enough interest in my scribblings to keep this thing of ours going for the past fourteen years. But man, I feel like I'm running out of gas.
Over my sojourn down in Maryland I finished editing the prequel (part one) to Almost a Lifetime. So okay, what's next?
I really should try to get the book published, and if there's enough interest, I'll start part two of the prequel and try to get part one published. Thing is, this seems to be quite a bit of work. And one thing I've discovered since retiring is that I am now tending to avoid anything which smacks of "work."
So I'm at the edge of a cliff, perhaps a crossroads is a better way to describe it. Which way do I go next?
I have lots of hobbies which I'm stalled on because of this writing thing. As far as the writing goes, I really wish I'd known it was going to be so addictive. Would I have still jumped in? Probably.
I won't write about current day politics - it's divisive, annoying, and there are far too many opinions, heartfelt beliefs, and what have you to make it worth worrying about.
So here we are.
What's next?
Whatever you decide to do, no matter how much work is entailed, please don't stop the blog.
ReplyDeleteI don't see that happening in the immediate future, posts might be shorter though.
DeleteSecond that, keep the blog going friend. For yourself and us who read it daily.
ReplyDeleteI suggest you go fishing. Clears the head and all that.
The Muse will wander back on her own time.
I have never been one to go fishing. Did it when I was a kid but I never got attached to it.
DeleteI think you know what I mean friend.
DeleteMichael
Maybe not.
DeleteUh oh......there's that four letter word......work....what constitutes it eh Sarge? Really rooting for a published book but then I'm not the one working towards that end. You do what you gotta do and I'll hoist a bottle (ROOT beer) to you.........:)
ReplyDeleteYeah, the "W" word.
DeleteI enjoy your fiction, you're good & FWIW a writer who's blog I follow just got an award from Amazon publishing for his second million dollars in royalties they have paid him... it can be done.
ReplyDeleteYou have mentioned a lot of hobbies in the years I've been following along, books waiting to be read and no doubt you have historical research/places to visit waiting for you to find the Round2it & get started.
Personally I'd miss the blog but this is your life, do what makes you feel good.
Good luck! I'll be here how ever it works out.
Thanks, Rob.
DeleteNice picture. I finally gave up trying to figure out where on the California coast it was and clicked on "source." I'm always amazed at how much of California looks like places in Europe.
ReplyDeleteRe Nylons comment about 4-letter words, a great 19th century philosopher, Tom Sawyer, put it best, Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do."
Next? Another cup of coffee, or maybe your favorite adult beverage, while you contemplate a cloud or a leaf growing. Or maybe a nap.
Ugh, I simply cannot nap. A personal failing of mine, it's five hours or nothing at all.
DeleteAs much as I would hate to hear that you might hang up this blog, I know nothing lasts forever.
ReplyDeleteI know, nothing does. But I have grown fond of doing this, even if it is a bother at times.
DeleteSarge, I have to confess that posting something every day sometimes seems like another job, and an unpaid one at that. And Lord knows I sympathize with running out of ideas. And then I think about it, and realize that if I did not, I would feel "wrong".
ReplyDeleteThere are also those fleeting moments where someone writes a comment about how what you wrote touched them somehow and suddenly it all seems worth it.
Having a week off felt nice, but it also felt weird. I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.
DeleteYou decide, I'll follow as I've done from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI've been reading your blog since you started and will continue. Perhaps some variant of a sales technique might help. As a salesman. backed into a mental and verbal corner, the technique is to let your mind go blank. Whatever comes out of your mouth will probably work.
ReplyDeleteI might give that a try! Thanks, WSF.
DeleteThat's the thing about blogs, write when you want. There's a lot of folks on the sidebar who don't publish regularly.
ReplyDeleteThat is an option.
DeleteThis is supposed to be "fun" not "work." We enjoy having fun with you, but do not want to impose a work requirement.
ReplyDeleteGlad you will continue to abhor current politics. But that is pretty much covered by the "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" rule. Pretty much "wardroom rules" fit nicely, no discussions of politics, religion or women." That way we can all be friends together and still be free to make fools of ourselves without others knowing of our foibles and sins.
You read a LOT of books, so maybe from time to time share a book review? Musical recommendations and links expose us to culture... except maybe unless they have scary clowns [sorry, Beans]? Recommendations on how/where you find the great images you share?
John Blackshoe
All good suggestions. I do have an offering posted for the morrow, which might be of some interest and might run for more than a few days. Seems the Muse has been visiting old battlefields ...
DeleteCongratulations on completing your prequel! I second Brother Blackshoe's endorsements; not just Wardroom rules but also his suggestions for "variations". I couldn't manage a daily output; a new podcast endeavor of a weekly episode is stretching me plenty.
ReplyDeleteRob Gale
I shall leave the political stuff to Tuna, he seems to have a knack for exposing its idiocies.
DeleteSarge, a thought about publishing … in 2019 I “helped” my wife publish her first (so far only) novel. What started as an overwhelming and intimidating process became a lot simpler with a lot of help. An online acquaintance who has “self-published” quite a number of books, primarily on Amazon, referred us to a company in Tennessee that was wonderful; helping (very reasonable fee) with taking her thoroughly edited manuscript through formatting for e-book, and shortly later for Amazon’s print on demand format, doing covers based on a friend’s artwork, although they offer to generate cover art as well. Their handholding, guidance, and support was invaluable. Other resources (that we did not utilize) can aid with promotion of the work, as well. All this was before Raconteur Press was formed; and although your work doesn’t seem to fit their catalog, they might be a tremendous resource as well. You wrote it; now reach out for help with the next “easier” parts!
ReplyDeleteGood data, thanks!
DeleteAnother thought — editing is CRITICAL! And, you have to have other folks guide the editing; I don’t believe that an author can properly edit his own work. Jane’s book was studied in fine detail by us, by family members, and friends. Everyone found significant fixes that she/we just did not see. The last editing pass, of about 6 or 8, was suggested by her author friend: read the book “backwards” — that is, start at the back, and read it critically on paragraph at a time ~ out of context corrections fairly jump off the page. Or, turn it over to a professional editor. You don’t have to do it all by yourself!
ReplyDeleteA bunch of folks here on the blog helped edit the first book.
DeleteOh, and post whatever you feel like, whenever you and the Muse get tother… we’ll watch for it, be pleased to see it, and be thankful when it appears!
ReplyDeleteI shall endeavor to persevere. (Yup, that's a quote from a Clint Eastwood movie.)
DeleteRaconteur Press? Seems like the kind of folks that would publish you, Lawdog has some good works.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I gather, they publish mostly (if not exclusively) sci-fi.
DeleteThat may be their core but they do other things, e.g. their Boys series and the Malta series
DeleteI shall look again.
DeleteLex has never been replaced. There is still a void. Some aspects have been taken over, it hasn't amounted to much in comparison.
ReplyDeleteLex was unique, as we all are. Cdr Salamander is the best on Naval Issues. How long he will continue is any one's guess. He's been going for 20 years. I doubt Lex would still be blogging if he were still around. People run out of steam, like XBradTC, or the Armorer, and they hang up their spurs. That's just human nature.
Lex was irreplaceable, there will never be anyone like him. And yes, people do run out of steam.
Delete