Before you read this, head over to Afterglow Book Reviews, and read my recommendation of Karen Amanda Hooper's Grasping at Eternity.
Back? Okay. I have some announcements.
First, if you're not watching The Newsroom, on HBO, you're missing a great show. I never got into The West Wing when it was on, but I can definitely see why so many people think Aaron Sorkin is a genius.
Second, if you didn't see Roni Loren's post about using photos in your blog posts, go read it, STAT. It's a sad lesson, but an important one all bloggers must learn.
Finally, in more sad news, I'm going to be taking a break from blogging. Lately it's gotten in the way of writing and critiquing I've needed to be doing, and traffic and comments have been down anyway, so it feels right to step back and re-evaluate for a bit.
Don't worry, I'm not quitting, I enjoy it too much for that, but things have gotten so busy at work lately, I really only have time for writing or blogging, and writing has to come first. There is no news on the agent front, so I'm trying to just focus on some projects I have in the pipe, and hopefully things will work themselves out while I'm not worrying about them.
This may only last a week, or it may last a little longer, but you can still look for me at both Project Middle Grade Mayhem and at YA Confidential in the meantime. Otherwise, thanks, as always for your support.
47 comments:
Sounds like a break is an excellent idea, Matt. Everybody needs to recharge and adjust focus sometimes. Headed over to check out your review!
I'm going to have to get myself a Yoda doll to sit by my computer and keep me company.
But yeah, do what you gotta do, and do it well.
I've been blogging less too. It's such a hard balance. I like to blog but if I only have the time for one, writing wins.
Good luck with your projects, Matt. We'll miss you, but breaks are good and needed sometimes.
Good time to take a break - summer is a little quiet anyway. Now, go write!
Haha like your post title, although it took me a second.
We'll miss the query evaluations, but it's definitely a good thing to take the time once in a while to focus solely on your writing. Enjoy your break!
Focusing on the writing is always a good choice! :) I hope it reinvigorates you. "High Ate Us" - bahaha!
I think all us bloggers need a break during August. Woof, woof.
Hope you have productive time off!
We all need a break some time! I took mine in April, to avoid the whole AtoZ thing, and I really kicked butt on the new WIP in that month. So I hope this does the same for you!
Enjoy your break - you definitely deserve it :)
Hope everything sorts out during the break:)
I've reduced my blogging too - it's impossible to do it all! Enjoy the extra writing time :)
I haven't watched the news room. Maybe I should catch an episode.
Good luck during your break. I did read Roni's post and posted about it as well. It's good to be informed.
Sorry to hear it, BUT I hear ya loud and clear.
Totally get the need for a High Ate Us.hahah See you over at YA Conf. though.
And whoever isn't watching Newsroom is nuts, that show is incredible!
I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be sad you're pulling back, but I totally understand. You're one of the few bloggers I know who posts almost everyday. I certainly could never do that. So you'll be missed! But concentrate on your writing & querying. Let us know how things are going.
As for The Newsroom, you might have seen my posts on FB about how much I love that show, how if I were a man, I'd want to be Will McAvoy, and that I think Aaron Sorkin should be president!
Take care, Matt. Still hope to see you on FB. :-)
I certainly know the feeling. I've scaled way back on the blogging, and I'm not picking up any new readers anymore (probably losing quite a few!), but at least I've been able to write several new chapters recently.
Everyone needs a break and this time of year is a great time to do it.
Good for you Matt! Good luck with the writing!
Enjoy your blog break Matt. I too love the newsroom.
Good boy---go WRITE! I'll be taking one too, soon! See you on the flip side.
Interesting post by Roni.
And a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. That also includes eating a lot of bacon. It's in the guidebook somewhere.
Matt, something happened in the last 6 months with Blogger and Word Press and even Google that makes it a challenge for me to publish comments on blogs. I may be signed in under Google but for whatever reason that identity is not recognized. I may be only on my gmail account and forget and write a comment anyway. It will take my comment away and make me sign in under something first .I sign in, type the comment again, only for that sign-in to get rejected too. By then, I just give up.
Subsequently, my presence seems scarce, yet I am still there. I say all this just in case I’m not the only one, so you know why your traffic isn’t the same. I simply find it too much of an effort to comment. I made the effort today. (I am writing this comment in my Windows, which I will have to copy paste onto the comment box. I will have to try all my identities before one is accepted.) I’m making sure you know how valuable you are for all us query writers. Enjoy your hiatus. You deserve it.
Well, you know, even though I don't really participate in the query stuff, I'll miss you being around. However, I do understand the blogging/writing struggle. I hope you have great success!
It took me such a long time to figure out the title of your blog post. Embarrassing.
A break is always good!!! I feel that sometimes! I will step away one day!! LOL! take care
x
Totally understandable, Matt. Everyone deserves a break every now and then. :)
Good luck with your writing!
Have an awesome break! We'll be here when you get back :D
You'll be missed! Good luck with the projects, and may they take off quick so you can rejoin us soon!
Yeah, I was encountering this same blogging interfering with writing thing and that's why I resorted to the guest posting. Now other things have come up and the guest posts still require my time. Just have to start writing and that's all there is to it.
Hope you get 'er done.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I have The Newsroom on tape to watch with my husband. Glad you like it.
I saw Roni's post and mentioned it on my blog too.
I hope your break is productive. Blogging's taking too much time from my writing too. And the being socially connected. I've noticed less comments too. I think people take a break in July & August.
I took a break after the A to Z Challenge...and it was fantabulous! Enjoy yours!! :)
We all need a break sometimes. We'll be here when you return. Yes, Newsroom is AWESOME. One of my favorite shows. I'll be removing any extra old pictures from my blog this weekend.
Enjoy your break!
Take care, Matthew. We all need to take a break sometimes.
Take the time you need to recharge. Enjoy the break and get a little silly if you need. Life is too short otherwise. (:
You are loved. We all want you writing and doing what your heart tells you to do. The Angel Potatoes need your stories. So there it is.
Well done for prioritizing what is right for you. Best of luck. Will miss your blogging though, so don't be too long away.
I read Roni Loren's post too and it was quite an eye opener. I will have to go back and clean up my blog. Hope to 'see' you soon.
It's hard sometimes trying to do everything (writing, blogging, querying, revising, commenting, etc.). Hope you can make good use of your time away.
On the way over to your recommendation Matthew. I read the photo article the other day--an important one.
Also, enjoy your time away from blogging; I have been back a week or so, I should consider taking another vacation. haha.
Good for you. Recharge those batteries. That's what I'm doing too; I had a few weeks off, and now I've changed my blogging schedule to only twice a month. Enjoy your summer!
It's a good time to take a break. I've also noticed it's quieter in the summer. I'm glad that you'll have time to focus on writing. Good luck, and we'll see you when you get back!
Have a fantastic blogging break. I've been taking it easy on the blogging front this summer, too.
Have a nice break. Everyone deserves one.
Matt, I so understand where you are coming from. I almost burned ut a year ago and I had to step back a bit from all I do. now I am more protective of my time, and making sure to always remember why I am doing all this.
Hugs! Find your balance, and all will be well. You have great stories in you, and the world deserves to read them...but first they must be written!
Ange
Several questions...
1-NOW I get why you're feeling overwhelmed. Three blogs? :p
2-Sorkin is amazing. Never watched TWW either, but I did watch Studio 60 and I have seen other stuff he's done. Movies. :o)
3-UGH! I spent 3 hours yesterday removing and/or replacing pix on my blog only to have JRM come back and tell me to stop. He said they had to send a cease & desist order before they could sue. (I was almost done at that point.) That's what happens when you marry a lawyer.
Bonus Q: Who's Lina Lamont--??? (see all those links?)
Take it easy, my friend. And get writing! <3
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