It occurred to me, as I was looking at my home page, that people may be wondering why it has been such a long time since I published anything.
I have also struggled with whether or not to write this blog post.
When I made this decision about two years ago, I had two completed novels. One, MAGIC BY STARLIGHT is ready to submit. I am delighted with it, and would love to get it out there. The other, EAST OF YESTERDAY, was ready to submit until I decided to revert some revisions while keeping others. That work is ongoing.
In the meantime, I started a third novel, tentatively titled FOREVER A SLAVE. It’s a space epic about freedom. Plus, I have never given up on FORGING A LEGEND.
But I have decided not to publish anything, for now.
My reasons for sitting on these books are mostly personal. My daughter has special needs, and we are in her last year of high school. We homeschool. It is very challenging. I also have a challenging job. These activities do not leave enough time for the publishing process.
When I published my last book, THE MAGIC MIRROR AND THE SEVENTH DWARF, I had to take time off work in order to make the publishing deadlines, which were very tight. When I still had trouble meeting the deadlines, I was given some additional time, but it was still extremely stressful. It made an impact.
Before I attempt publication again, something needs to come off my list. I suspect that sometime in the next year and a half, my daughter will either complete her graduation credits, or we will make the determination that she is unable to. Either event should free up my time.
Life gets more complicated the older you get. Plus, it gets more absorbing. I am blogging less, reading less, writing less–but I am also living life so much more completely. I love to do too many things. There are only so many hours in the day. These are good problems to have.
I have considered blogging chapter-by-chapter, which is something that one of my sisters wants me to do for EAST OF YESTERDAY. I am not convinced that it is a good way of getting my hands into a large number of readers, but at least it would get it into the hands of the readers of this blog. Plus, I am not sure if I have anything to lose.
Opinions?
I was wondering how you’re doing! Hang in there, it will happen. I’ve just been able to start doing more in the past year. Let me know if you go back to Critique Circle. I’m there every couple of months. I just had to shelve a story I’ve been working on for a couple of years due to genre issues. So I’m refocusing on my YA Contemporary Fantasy. It may be another year before I can look at the other one again.
I forgot all about Critique Circle. I think the reason is that, for a while, I had some regular critique partners. I am not sure if they are all writing, anymore. When Forever a Slave is ready for readers, I’ll (try to) remember it, if my usual partners are not available.
And thanks!
I am in a very similar boat. Kids, aging relatives, and life in general means I don’t have the time for all the work it takes to be a published author–not if I want to keep my sanity. I have accepted that my writing has to be put on hold. Life is too full right now–which isn’t a bad thing! It just means plans have changed.
That’s so true! It’s not giving up at all. I still love to write. Nothing will change that, and I doubt it will last forever.
I am getting less and less written, and I am just fostering kittens, not raising kids 🙂
Oh, wow! I didn’t realize you had slowed down as well. It seems that we are all still happy, so all is good!
I was homeschooled, and I think a mom who is also willing to also take on the role of teacher is amazing. (Though, to be fair, the moms I know are all pretty much amazing whether they also teach or not.) I am glad to hear about what’s been going on in your life. I’m glad it’s a full one. 🙂
Thank you! My husband deserves equal credit, as he has actually had a larger share of the homeschooling than I have. He is the one who stays home with her. Thanks for caring, and yes–it is full to overflowing. 😀