Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Last Post

Much happened while I was on hiatus. I've lost eight more pounds with a healthier diet and exercise regime. I moved my college kid to a new/safer place for the fall semester. I also outlined a big project for my job, and sewed and quilted a bunch of stuff. My next creative challenge is to make a quilt completely out of recycled and vintage linen. Since I think linen hates me, that should be interesting.

While staying off the internet I also figured out a few things. Such as how well I work when I stay off the internet. Without realizing it I've been gravitating back to how I used to write, in peaceful isolation. It's not that I dislike being social, but that I've become ill-equipped to deal with what now constitutes online social interaction.

Which brings me to the blog, which I've been neglecting for a while now. I've been so busy with my job that I don't have time to post anymore, fix the photo problems or otherwise keep PBW up to date. I've been writing about writing since 2004, and after fourteen years and 4,480 posts I think I've covered the basics, right? Ha. Never did answer that one burning question of the ages for writers, though: Courier New, Or Times New Roman?

For some reason time refuses to go backward, and the reality of that is the blog and I have aged quite a bit. I started PBW when I was an energetic 43, and I'm a tired 57 now. When we lost Gerard from The Presurfer so suddenly in 2017 it really hit home. He wasn't that much older than me, and I'm certainly not immortal. To avoid the same thing happening here I actually wrote up a goodbye post and have been scheduling it to publish if I don't put anything new on PBW for six months. It's depressing to reschedule that post every month, and I'd much rather say so long while I'm still kicking.

So for those reasons, and a bunch of others, I've decided to do that today. I dislike long good-byes, and it feels like the right time and place to wrap it up.

In hopes of continuing to help writers I will leave the blog and content up for as long as Google allows that, no one messes with the blog*, and I'm still around to check on it (which I will.) Right now the Blogger help forums say Admin doesn't ever delete inactive blogs, but of course that policy can change whenever Google likes. My heirs can do whatever they want with this stuff when I'm gone. My wish is that it stays free and accessible to everyone, as I've always intended.

My thanks to all of you for being part of Paperback Writer. Every one of you blogging writers who visited were part of my online family, and it was a privilege to be a part of your community. To all of my readers -- what can I say to you to describe what an honor it's been, to write for you? You made my greatest dream come true. All of you -- writers, readers, book lovers and bloggers -- you made my time here at PBW simply joyous.

Please don't be sad about this. Be happy for me. I'm in a wonderful place in my life, and I've finally got the job I've always wanted. Every day is a gift and an adventure for me. Ending PBW is simply me passing the torch to the next generation of writers.

Your turn, folks. Have fun with it. Farewell.

P.S. My last bit of advice? Courier New for WIPs, Times New Roman for final copy.

Added 3/1/21: Since SPAMmers are messing with the comments here now I'm closing them for good.

29 comments:

  1. Thank you for all you've done for writers all these years. Good luck to you in all your future endeavors. :hugs: It's been a pleasure.

    Heh, I use TNR for WIPs and Cambria for final copy. ;o)

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  2. thank you so much for your blog and support to other writers. I will miss you, but understand perfectly. Best of luck.

    SandyL

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  3. This makes me both so very sad that there will be no more updates and beyond happy that you're getting healthy and are in such a happy place yourself. The most important thing though is you, and if leaving the blog helps you move forward into new and better places, go for it! You're going to be great :) But then, I never doubted that...

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  4. Thanks for years of great content. Have loved your little corner of the net. Best wishes for the future! Take care!

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  5. Thank you so much for your years of advice and insight into writing and writing life. I have also really enjoyed seeing all your quilting projects, and will miss that as much as anything. Good luck, and enjoy your more 'net-free life!

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  6. I can't begin to tell you how sad it is for me to see you leave PBW. You've been an institution for me since I started writing.

    I'm both sad for myself but happy for you. Follow your star, Lynn. I wish only the best for you.

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  7. Wow... Okay... PBW's been part of my life for a good long while. It's strange to think that it's coming to an end. I've had some wonderful times here. You've been a great inspiration to me, as well as a great help over the years. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for everything.

    I wish you all the best.

    Hail and farewell. *salutes*

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  8. Hugs, Lynn. I wish you much joy in all your endeavors. You've brought a lot of happiness and helpful advice into my life.

    Thank you.

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  9. I'm sorry to hear that you won't be updating your blog anymore. Thank you for letting us know and for all of the interesting posts you've shared over the years.

    I wish you well with your new job. It sounds amazing.

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  10. I'm sorry you will be discontinuing your blog, but I am very happy that you are well. I have checked the blog periodically to see how you are when memories from "back in the day" cross my mind. I miss you, my old friend. You will always have a place in my heart and are forever in my thoughts.

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  11. Sorry to learn you're leaving your blog. I've been following it for several years now and always enjoyed your posts. I'm sure you've got better days ahead with good health and great quilts in your future.

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  12. I too am immensely sad to say farewell. I think I've followed your blog almost from the beginning and it has been a pillar of inspiration all these years. Once again, thank you so very much for all the work and time you've put into your blog posts, and for sharing so generously with us your many tips, examples, and ideas behind your work and creative process. It is invaluable. And of course, thank you too for sharing your wonderful stories, not only in your published work but in your many delightful freebies. I'm very relieved and grateful that you're not deleting the blog, and we'll still be able to access the archives (as long as Blogger allows it). Perhaps sometime in the future, if you have time/inspiration to work on your own stories again, you might drop a story or two our way? You never know what the future might bring.

    It's also been lovely to know that you've found your work niche in the past few years, doing work that you love and without the publishing stress you had before. And I'm very happy your writing dream has come true. Wishing you many joyful and productive writing days ahead.

    P.S. I know you ghost write. I suppose you're not allowed to say under whose name it comes out under? Even in a private email? If you could say, then I could find and read your writing even if it's coming out under someone else's name.

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  13. I will miss you, but I do understand. I can't keep up with my life and my blog at the same time either. I hope you get to write more stories of your own now. I would love to see new titles with your name on them when I am shopping for something good to read. Your books are always good. You have given me so much pleasure over the years. Thank you so much.

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  14. I'll miss you and PBW. I do wish you all the best in your future indeavors. Hugs to you!

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  15. Wishing you nothing but the best, dear Lynn.

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  16. No.

    I'm sorry, Lynn.

    I'm not ready.

    Yes, I sound like a spoiled kid, but...I'm not ready for you to just go away.

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  17. Lynn,
    You've been my favorite go-to writer for so long. When I just want to open a book and relax, I have re-read your stories. I hate that other people did not appreciate your work enough to keep you as an "open" author. I hate that you ghost write and I don't know who the "new author" name is. But, I love that you are happy! I don't know how many times I have referred your name to people as an author that appreciates her readers. Just 2 weeks ago I recommended you to a waitress in an IHOP when my son and I were out on "mommy-son" date night. She saw me pull out a book from my purse and it was one of yours! She asked me about you and your work and I bragged about you! But, I did also refer her to the blogsite (you hadn't put up your goodbye yet) and told her to check out some of your freebies. Also, I told her I had donated a couple of your books (duplicate copies I had) to the local library. She was very excited. She and I even traded phone numbers to text each other our favorite authors (I love small town life where I don't feel weird about giving someone my number!). So, for all of the above reasons, I find your goodbye bittersweet. I hope you occasionally send out a life update. Or how about a quarterly Lynn newsletter! You have my e-mail address!
    Hugs and love,
    Tami
    Starke (formerly Jacksonville)

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  18. I came back to check in on you, and it seems you are gone on.

    But it's all good, and I am glad you've found the balance you like.

    Take care, and thank you for the words. I hope we cross paths someday somehow.

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  19. As I face my next (and last) 30 years, I am working on decluttering: my belongings, my activities, my thoughts. Thanks for leading the way so graciously.

    You have been and continue to be an inspiration in my life.

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  20. I am so happy for you. I'm so glad you found your peace. Thank you for the years of inspiration, encouragement, and kindness. You helped me find my path after a brutal first marriage, and I can't thank you enough for that. I still have your beautiful handmade bookmarks. I hope you keep creating things that make you happy! Much love to you and your family!

    Dawn

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  21. Anonymous1:49 PM

    The only valid reason to write a blog post is the same as the only valid reason to write any kind of writing. Because you have something in you that you can't not write. Writing because a schedule says to strikes me as BS. I am of course glad you're leaving these posts online, because they're useful and we enjoy reading them. Thank you.

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  22. I came across the gorgeous tote bag that I won here (it’s a starry blue one!) and came here to see how you’re doing and see this. Thank you for all of your work, and I’m glad you’re doing well.

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  23. Anonymous3:17 PM

    god bless and thank you for all the lost hours when i really needed them ............ i quilt also and love .... made my first quilt at 5 years old (with grandma's fabric) and have not looked back............. please have joy...............

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  24. This is rather late since I just found out in November of your last post. I have been re-reading the Disenchanted Series and it is sad that there was not another story to bring closure to the wonderful world of Toriana.

    Hope you are well and enjoying your life. Take Care

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  25. Isn't it time we see StarDoc in the theatres as well?

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  26. Anonymous6:12 PM

    I just found your StarDoc books. You have a brilliant mind! Thank you for writing, thank you for this blog. I look forward to reading all of it!

    These are the days of our lives! Enjoy! Enjoy! - PJFitz

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  27. I miss this. Darkyns are my all time comfort read.

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  28. Thought of you today, and have fond memories of your blog. Hope all is going well. Thanks for everything.

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  29. I think about you every once in a while and wonder how you're doing. I miss your posts, I miss your photos of the birds and other wildlife, I miss looking forward to new StarDoc and Darkyn books...

    And I'm still using that amazingly easy fudge recipe. ;)

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