Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Until my book is written

Dearest Blog Friends,

I'm a year late on getting my new book finished. For all the obvious reasons, I have to concentrate on it now and until it's completed. I'm finally doing good work on it, but I have to buckle down a lot more now.

I hate closing down the blog until this period is over, but I think I have to do it for my own sanity. It's true that I could probably just post a daily nothing and leave the cafe open for everybody else to chat, but that doesn't feel right to me. I'd rather put up a "Temporarily Closed" sign.

This doesn't change anything else, by the way, in regard to getting to see some of you. Beth is coming soon, and I can't wait! That will be such a wonderful visit. Maybe I'll drag her to a coffee shop and force her to do "tandem writing" with me. And I'll see her and Andi and Kimberly and maybe others when I "do" Writers Retreat Workshop this spring.

Do NOT hesitate to email me at any time. I'm not going incommunicado, I'm just going incommuniblogo.

I love you guys. I don't like having the blog open for extended periods when I can't interact with you. I originally thought that this current semi-absence of mine would last only for a week or so, but I can see now that I need a lot more time. I won't be gone forever. It will probably be a few months, and then I'll re-open. You'll know when it happens, because you'll hear the great sigh of relief coming from the midwest.

Let's stay open for the rest of today and tonight, and then I'll turn the lights low.

I'm coming back. Count on that!

Much love,
Nancy

58 comments:

Nancy P said...

I would feel worse about this if I didn't know that we also interact on a lot of other blogs. Maybe you'll settle on one of them to do the kinds of chat we do here.

I think that after tonight I'll be going cold turkey on political news, too. Something's got to give--or several somethings--and it can't be my writing.

Plus, I'm going to be out of town most of the rest of this week and some of next, so my travel plans influence this decision, too.

Jen said...

As always, my very best wishes to you, Nancy. I hope you're able to get the time and production that you need happening, and that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Looking forward to reading your new book, whenever it's out! :)

Maria Lima said...

Nancy - you must do what you must.

We'll find a temporary home, no worries. :)

We'll look forward to you returning to the blogosphere. :)

Cheers!!

AndiF said...

Write on, Nancy!

I set an alarm on my calendar to remind me to email you when the retreat gets closer.

And because it seems appropriate, here's a Tuesday Picture Post in which ...

the Blue Dot struggles for a looksee, [LINK]

scans the horizon, [LINK]

and then sends you a big 'See ya' wave [LINK]

Kelly McCullough said...

Hugs and good writing. See you when I hear the sigh.

Nancy P said...

Thanks, Jen, and you, too, Maria. I am pretty sure this is a good decision, but it's like saying to my RL friends, "Sorry, can't go play for a few months." Of course, truth be told, I've done that a few times, too. I try not to get crazy and isolate myself too much, but one of the reasons I ever got a book published at all was that I was so disciplined for the first few books, and I cut away almost all other activities.

A woman of moderation I am not.

Rick Bylina said...

Bummer. But I do understand. Boy, do I understand. Can't wait for the book.

Nancy P said...

Aw, Andi! The Blue Dot!

Maybe that big whew will go up right before I get to see you. That would be nice--for you to get to meet Relaxed Nancy instead of Tense Nancy.

Nancy P said...

Thanks, Kelly. You're an inspiration.

Nancy P said...

Thanks, Rick. I know you do understand.

Anonymous said...

I sure understand, Nancy. Although I feel bereft. I might get more work done, too, if I'm not peeking in here regularly. We'll all just have to keep visiting each other at our other places. I'll be on the road most of the next 3 months myself.

I will definitely see you, far, kb, Conda, and andi in April. And you, Kimber, andi, and anyone else at WRW in May.

And will stay in touch through email!

Do good work. Come back soon. xoxo

Anonymous said...

write, write, write ... none of us want to do anything but speed the publication of the next book we want to read!

see you around the tubes ;)

Kelly McCullough said...

The feeling is very mutual, Nancy. If I ever cross the genre line and finish a mystery it will have no small amount to do with you.

Anonymous said...

he could use her help but the internet woman was disappearing from his life

he broke camp

his checkered past put him at odds explaining things to law men she had seemed leveled headed and could probably explain away the dead German he would probably explain it from behind bars for a day or two

Fluffy did not help break camp Winifred understood the routine, she ate

The little horse ate more than his share but with the curtailed trip they'd be in town again soon with the German slung over her back stinking and trailing flies with maggots looking to roost

He opened the stuffed money bag and tossed the cell phone in it after he had emptied it and then buried the bag away from camp

$250,000 dollars in neat little stacks made his bedroll bulge but at least it wasn't in clear sight

the first drop of rain sizzled in the nearly dead ashes

a coyote yipped up the path where Walter had to go

He was not alone and hadn't been for hours an unseen interloper somewhere on the trail but so noisy he could never sneak up on him

he will miss the internet lady

Fluffy led the way as a western jay alighted on a small bush

A bad omen

He dropped a tear

-cormac mccarthy

Nancy P said...

(((Beth)))

Nancy P said...

Maryb, lol, thank you!

Nancy P said...

Kelly, there will be rejoicing in Mystery Readerville if you ever do write a mystery. :)

Nancy P said...

Aww, cormack, the internet lady will miss you, too. She wishes she knew where else to find you. :) She will give some thought to the dead German.

Anonymous said...

This is utterly unfair, of course.

Nancy P said...

lol, Paul!

katiebird said...

Nancy! I've been off sulking for a week and totally missed this post. Beth (bless her heart) gave me a head's up.

I know we'll see each other....

(and like everyone else -- I can't wait to read your book, so write, write, write)

xxoo

Nancy P said...

Katiebird! We've missed you so much! I hope your sulk has gone well. :) We all need one of those now and then. I had one most of today, myself, lol.

See you in email, kiddo.

katiebird said...

(smiling) Yep....

boran2 said...

nancy, I'll miss closing the joint every night. Good luck finishing the book. I look forward to seeing it. Let us know about the grand reopening. Be well.

Nancy P said...

Thank you, boran2. I'll miss your version of Goodnight, Mrs. Calabsh.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget, this is merely a HIATUS. You'll be back, and we'll be patiently waiting. Right? Right?

I don't do goodbyes, and this is sounding way too final.

From the no-Goodbye Girl. (Or is that the Queen of Denial?)

:-)

Nancy P said...

I'M COMING BACK!!

That's a threat, lol.

AndiF said...

Lost my internet again last night but since the lights are still on and katiebird came by, I can't resist one last au revoir.

But first -- hi kb!

So one last picture of these woods [LINK] and a plan that the next one I post here to celebrate Nancy's finishing her book will be dazzling in its beautiful green.

katiebird said...

{{Andi}} I'm here!

Hi, It's good to see you!!

Larry Kollar said...

I can relate entirely, Nancy. I've had to pretty much tear myself away from most things blog, except for the occasional peek and hello, for the last week or so. I'm thinking it'll get better soon for me too, but I'll miss your advice & encouragement until you're back.

"Cormac"'s reappearance reminds me of a couple of funny moments in a bookstore last weekend. Cormac's latest was on display near the front of the store, and I found it harder than I thought to explain the surreal mash-ups of the topics of the day.

It got better when I pulled a book off the shelf and started laughing. I told Mrs. Fetched, "Look at the title and author." Marriage is Murder. She laughed.

I'll miss you, unless you email me once or twice. Maybe we can pile in at Katiebird's place?

katiebird said...

(giggling)

GhostFolk.com said...

there is no joy in mudville. :-(

I'll miss lurking all you sharpies here. For sure. And Nancy P too. Adieu.

olivia said...

Happy writing to you Nancy - and all the other writers here too ... :)

Conda Douglas said...

Completely understandable, Nancy. And maybe shutting down this blog will give you even more impetus to write, so you can finish and re-open.

You will be missed until then.

Anonymous said...

Conda, can you e me at beth@bethhanggeli.com, so we can figure out my stopping in Boy-see on the way back to CDA?

And ditto, ditto, ditto.

Anonymous said...

Are you finished yet?

Hank Phillippi Ryan said...

Oh, fine. Just fine. I come over to say hey, come to Jungle Red Writers and visit--We picked our favorite blogs, and I picked you! Andif, Katiebird, and everyone.

Take a look
http://www.jungleredwriters.com

And now, well. Hey. You're all welcome at Jungle Red Writers, we can talk about the universe, and have nice tea, and maybe cinnamon rolls, and wish Nancy much joy and happiness and yet another wonderful novel!

And hey, Nancy, just because ASMOL isn;t up and running, doesn't mean the special community you created is gone. We're all here. And sending love.

boran2 said...

Say good night, Gracie.

katiebird said...

Goodnight Gracie.

(Sniff)

Kimberly Frost said...

Yikes, I was working and I'm late to the post. Good luck with the book, Nancy, and we'll see you soon!

Hugs!

Kimberly Frost said...

If people want me to, I'll put up a weekend open house post on my blog for people to convene until our fearless leader is done with her book.

This is in NO WAY an attempt to move the Nancy blogscape to my blog permanently (though everyone's always welcome there.) We will all come home to Nancy's when she's ready.

Anonymous said...

ARE YOU FINISHED YET?

katiebird said...

(I thought maybe someone else would be here....) snifff

boran2 said...

Come on already, Nancy. You could have written War and Peace by now. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I keep checking in.

Rick Bylina said...

SHE WROTE SHE WROTe SHE WROte SHE WRote SHE Wrote SHE wrote SHe wrote She wrote she wrote she wrotE she wroTE she wrOTE she wROTE she WROTE shE WROTE sHE WROTE SHE WROTE i wrestled a piece of beef from between my teeth

i can wait

it will be worth it

-cormac mccarthy

Larry Kollar said...

I hadn't checked in, primarily because when Nancy comes back it will show up in my RSS feed. And I was going to email & say hello anyway. Eventually.

Hey Rick… um… you just gave yourself away.

Rick Bylina said...

damn

boran2 said...

Hellooo! < echo >

Hay Nancy, even in your absence your blog gets more comments than mine. ;-)

supersoling said...

Well gosh almighty,
I stumble across this place after not knowing what had become of you (not like I'm a loop leaper anymore or ever) and get excited to say hello again to someone I've missed for a while now in blogworld, and it turns out you're not here afterall! :o)

So, in the meantime i'll leave a heartfelt best wishes! anda hello to all here who might recognize my mangy hide! :o)

Take good care,
super

Anonymous said...

Well, I certainly hope you're making excellent progress while the rest of us are out here in the hinterlands, devoid of your gentle guidance and good cheer. Or something like that.

Anonymous said...

Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Livros e Revistas, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://livros-e-revistas.blogspot.com. A hug.

Anonymous said...

Nearly two months now. Surely you've written enough by now!

Anonymous said...

I bought Virgin of Small Plains today at the Barnes and Noble on the Plaza. I intend to read it as soon as I get the chance (probably in two weeks).

Rick Bylina said...

Paul...I think you'll be pleased you bought it, and it must be one heck of a good book Nancy's writing to be silent for so long.

Rumor has it that the title is
"The Whore of Big Mountain" and begins in a dust storm during a bar mitzvah in Alice Springs, Australia. Then again, it is just a rumor.

Anonymous said...

Please come back soon! We miss you!

Anonymous said...

I'm gloating! I get to spend 10 days with Nancy in KY this week - we're having a blast, she's teaching us wonderful things, and we're wishing you all were here with us.

I'll give her a big hug for everyone!!

Anonymous said...

Just checking in. (sigh!)