I found it pretty amusing (actually giggled) when I popped in to my little cobweb-growing blog today and realized that the last thing I posted before disappearing into the offline hinterlands for over a month was basically an ode to the online writing world. I really wasn’t trying to be a big hypocrite, I promise.
The online world is everything to me that “Can a writer (or should a writer) ever go it alone” claimed it was—but sometimes the physical world seduces me away (especially in the summer) and/or less romantic aspects of “real life” demand my attention.
And while I didn’t fall off my writing and editing pony, a bit of sacrifice was needed and that sacrifice was called Internet Time.
Now though, my holidays are but good memories of sunshine, sand, salt water, and visits with dear friends and family. The sky has opened up (yet again) and there are (still more) record rainfalls. My kids and husband have returned to school and regular work hours. The end of September is herding me, as it usually does, back here and to various other online haunts. Yep, I’m back on the horse again (even if I still feel slightly headless).
I like the renewed discipline and passion that always seems to strike at this time of year, along with a fresh sense of possibility and promise. I love that September beckons to October—who will come quickly and bring SiWC along with. I revel in a return to warm drinks perched close by and the soothing click-click of keyboard keys.
In the summer, I work hard to fit my writing in. In the fall and winter, the long evenings and nights remind me that I’ve been silly. What could there ever be to do that’s more important or more fun than getting my thoughts down and letting stories run from my brain to the page?
How about you, dear readers? Are you back, comfy in the saddle of your desk chair, or do you need to go off on a few more end-of-summer gallops before reining yourself in?
Either way, happy reading, writing and dreaming this autumn! I’ll say good night now, before I stretch my already thin metaphor to breaking point. 🙂
~Ev
Author Ev Bishop: page-turning stories about family, friends, and finding your true home. 
I’m as back as I can ever be, Ev… my gallops tend to be ongoing and somewhat at random. And they provide the fodder for my scribbles. I need to exercise my writing muscles a little bit more so that I can come up with topics to write about and photograph more frequently. That being said, I’m always looking for something, also. The biggest thing that I find stops me, is thinking to myself, first of all… “does anybody really want to read about this, anyway?” But there are times when I just feel that I need to express myself… and at those times, it doesn’t especially matter whether anybody reads me or not. I’m not happy until I get it out of my system. So, Ev… I welcome YOU back onto the horse, and look forwards to reading more from you.
Lewis
LikeLike
I was going to tell you that you shouldn’t feel guilty about spending time in the “real” world (the one with with the sunshine, sand, and trees) but then realized that we all move back and forth between multiple worlds. Juggling them is either an art or a chore (depending on how you feel that day). I sometimes wonder if I move to a different world, will the inhabitants of the one I left left miss me. Will they feel abandoned? Will they forget me? Should I take a quick trip through them all – like a networking meeting where the object is to let everyone know you still exist?
Glad you’re back here. But if you are absent for awhile, I can always go back to the previous posts and pick up a new little gem.
LikeLike
Thanks for the welcome back, Lewis! 🙂 I chuckled at your comment, “I’m as back as I can ever be, Ev… my gallops tend to be ongoing and somewhat at random,” because I so hear you. And yes, gallivanting does provide fodder, absolutely.
Re: “I need to exercise my writing muscles a little bit more so that I can come up with topics to write about and photograph more frequently,” and your feeling “does anybody really want to read about this, anyway?” I think both those issues are every writer’s battle, but you nailed the solution: Write what you need to express, what moves you, what makes you laugh (or cry), what scares you, angers you, confuses you or amuses you! It really _doesn’t_ matter whether anybody reads or not (though I suspect that the more honestly you write for yourself, the more your words and ponderings will resonate with others).
I look forward to reading more of your writings too.
🙂 Ev
LikeLike
Dear Vello,
Aw, thanks for the kind words, Sir. It’s good to be back. Re: “Gems”–I don’t know about that, but it is true–I have quite a few posts now for people to meander through, should they care to.
“But then realized that we all move back and forth between multiple worlds.”
Yes, it’s very surreal, isn’t it?
“Juggling them is either an art or a chore (depending on how you feel that day).”
Totally.
“I sometimes wonder if I move to a different world, will the inhabitants of the one I left left miss me. Will they feel abandoned? Will they forget me?”
I wonder that too. Maybe everybody does. Or maybe just us weirdies. . .
“Should I take a quick trip through them all – like a networking meeting where the object is to let everyone know you still exist?”
Your interesting words were making me a little nostalgic/sad, but this idea made me laugh–your post would make interesting theme/plot for short story, actually. 😀
(Everything is a story, everything! :D)
LikeLike
Always carry a subtle knife.
LikeLike
Most excellent advice, Vello.
LikeLike
Glad that you are back, Ev. I’ve missed you!
I didn’t post for an entire week while Miss Charlotte was visiting, and a part of me enjoyed the freedom of not feeling obligated to post. A part of me didn’t want to get back into it as well. I sometimes think I’d be further ahead to spend more time actually writing than blogging. BUT, the support from the blogging community is great, and for me, it gives me time to spend with other writers. I’ve met some pretty awesome people (such as yourself) that I never would have. It’s good!
LikeLike