Thursday, October 18, 2012

Breaking Free from the Spider's Web

(Photo by Chris J. Fries - 2012: Spider)

Wow!!!  Look at how long it's been since I posted here...

I REALLY have to apologize for neglecting this blog.  Life and work schedule just completely swallowed me up the last several weeks, enmeshing me in a spidery web of gotta-dos that completely engulfed me and held me captive.

And even worse than being an absent blogger, I accomplished almost no writing at all.  It's a bit late to go over them in a dedicated post, but suffice it to say that my September writing goals basically went up in flames.  But the good news is that I'm not behind on any of my October goals -- simply because I never had the time to sit down and put any together.  Aspire to nothing and you'll achieve it every time,  LOL!

About the only writing-related task I was able to (barely) stay on top of was to keep up with the voting on DL Hammond's WRiTE Club 2012 contest.  When the times force me to have to choose, I tend to focus on commitments I made to other people more so than those I made to myself, and I'd vowed to Don to take part in the contest.  Plus, while DL is an old and very good friend that I'm honored to support, I also entered the contest, so I also have a bit of a selfish reason for staying involved.  But I won't discuss my entry until the contest is over, so that's all I'm going to say about that, other than I do encourage you to visit DL's blog and take part in the fun. The prelims finish with just one more bout, and then the 36 prelim winners will go at it head-to-head in the next round beginning Monday -- spread out over three blogs: DL's, Julie Dao's, and Tiana Smith's

But, I think that while life will still continue to be a bit hectic, I think I've managed to break free of the web, at least some. I think I'll at least be able to once again be more of an active blogger moving forward.  I hope.

Still, if you ever visit here and don't see me comment or update very often, please know that I do very much appreciate your visit and always welcome your comments and input.  Or if you're one of the many fellow bloggers whose blogs I try to visit and enjoy, please don't take my absence from commenting on your blog as a sign that I no longer care -- I do.  I simply wish I had more hours in the day, and more days in the week...

So, let's see:...What else?  Oh --  I had been running my "Quest for Story" series, and while it's taken much, MUCH longer than I had planned to finish it, I do plan to do so.  There are just two posts left, after all, so I'm hoping to have them up here very soon.

Well, I think that's it for now.  Gotta keep moving lest I get snared again...  ;^)

Thanks!

Chris



14 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You have been missed, Chris!
I have been keeping up with Write Club. And sorry if I've voted against your entry!

.jessica. said...

Yay! Glad you're back, Chris! :) I hear you on getting caught in the web - I end up there all the time myself. Happy to see you've managed to find your way out. You were missed!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

We all have times when we can't keep up the pace. I just cut back to posting twice a week instead of three times. I hope you have the chance to get back to writing!

Tonja said...

The more you fight the web, the more it sticks to you. Or at least that's how it is in my nightmares...just joking...I only have bad dreams about work.

Nancy Thompson said...

Nice to see you back, Chris. You were missed!

StratPlayerCJF said...

@Alex: Thank you very much! That means a lot to me. And no need to apologize, whether you did or didn't. Honest and open feedback is what it's all about. ;^)

@jessica: Thanks!!! I wish there were simply more hours in the day. But dealing with everything that happens at the speed of life just keeps me away from blogging and writing a little more than I would like. But I know life goes through cycles -- this, too, shall pass at some point...

@Dianne: Thanks, and me too! ;^)

@Tonja: LOL! Yeah, that's kind of how it is in real life, too...

@Nancy: Thank you -- I really appreciate it! And congrats on the new book release!

Nicole said...

Welcome back! I know life can get hectic every now and then.

Simon Kewin said...

Hey, no worries. The writing comes first! I'm sure we all identify with that need for more hours in the day...

Liesel K. Hill said...

I totally didn't keep up on Write Club! Wish I had but life gets in the way! I felt bad that I didn't. I like the idea of not making any (or at least less) goals so you can boast about being on top of stuff. Actually somewhat profound advice. Sort of. :D Here's to the crazy blogger life! :D

LTM said...

No worries about being busy, Chris! We ALL know what that's like. But yes, you would definitely be missed big time over on WRiTE CLUB! Your comments are always so awesome and right on.

Best to you in all your projects~ :o) <3

Jeremy Bates said...

In the last few days, I bet I have counted 40 bloggers who have either taken a hiatus or have quit altogether. I hope the latter isn't true of you.

Sometimes, we just need a break.. Get out and visit some blogs, it will do you good and get you back in the spirit.

Cheers!

StratPlayerCJF said...

@Nicole: Thanks, and yes, indeed it can!

@Simon: You're right -- I'm not getting as much blogging done since my 'return', but at least I am starting to get a few lines of writing done here and there. So the trend is positive at least, lol!

@Liesel: No apologies needed -- and you can get re-involved with WRiTE Club voting at any time. The second round is underway, and the competition is very, very good! Come vote -- you'll enjoy it!

@LTM: Thank so much, Leigh! I appreciate it. And thanks (and feel free to pop in and vote also, lol!)

@Jeremy: Nope -- not quit. Just not getting to time to do it as much as I would like, and -- compounding the issue: It's kind of hard to get motivated to maintain a writing blog when time-crunches are also limiting my time to write, lol! The writing has to come first. But I know this shall pass, and I'll be more of a blogging fixture again at some point. ;^)

Anonymous said...

For me, the web is the WEB! The Internet is such a distraction from my writing sometimes; I start out researching a topic for a story, then get sideswiped by all kinds of other good stuff. Anyhow, looking forward to your next post, Chris.

Mina Lobo said...

It's either free ourselves from the web or get eaten! ;)
Mina's Resurrection Blogfest!