And by nation, I mean the Murderati nation as this is my final post on Murderati. I will pause as you dash out for some Kleenex.
Yes, it’s time for me to move on. 2007 has been an incredible year with book releases, book contracts and awards and 2008 promises even more. 2008 will see the release of three books. I hope to secure as many new contracts and write as many new books too.
But for all the success of 2007, there’s been a price and that’s been time. I haven’t had any time for my family and friends, let alone for myself. I’m a reliable person by trade, but not of late. Everyone has gone on the backburner while I worked. So the year hasn’t been all gravy. There have been a few lumps that never got strained out.
I checked back on my resolutions I made at the beginning of the year. I only achieved one and that was to cement a place in New York publishing (which God willing, I’ve done for the moment). The others, not to work so hard, hang out with Julie, learn a new skill, I failed at miserably, not even coming close. I need to do much better in ’08.
To succeed in ’08, I have to drop a few commitments to free up some time. The two important ones are Sisters in Crime and Murderati. I served as the NorCal chapter president of Sisters in Crime. Sisters took up a lot more time than I expected. The chapter faced a number of issues that no one expected and ate into my time. I will remain a member of SinC, but I will be resigning from the board. I’m also dropping Murderati. It is only a weekly commitment, but it does eat into my time. There are a bunch of essays I write that never make to the blog (and with good reason).
So what am I going to do with my additional time? I do want to achieve my failed resolutions of stopping to enjoy the moment, hang with Julie and learn a new skill (I really want to learn how to fence and speak Spanish—I call it my Zorro phase). In addition, I want to get back to my short story writing. I wrote only two shorts this year. I usually knock out twenty to thirty. I want to experiment converting one of my short stories into a stage play. There are a couple of novels that I call hobbies that I want to finish before they become quests. I need to focus on promoting my books. I just didn’t do either book justice this year as I ran from one commitment to another. Again, I don’t know if I’ll achieve all this, but I want to give myself the freedom to do it.
If you’d still like to hear from me, my monthly e-newsletter goes into its 6th year and you’re welcome to join. It consists of observational essays that poke fun at the world and me. Just click the link to sign up.
I know I’m leaving a big hole and it’s going to moderately tough act to follow for whoever replaces me, but I’m sure whoever it is, they’ll do a bang up job.
So cheerio and good luck.
Yours at an end of an era,
Simon Wood
Be well, Simon. It’s been great.
Best of luck, Simon. As a regular Murderati reader, I know you’ll be missed. (No offense to the rest of the crew.)
Will miss your Thursday offerings, Simon. Best of luck with the books and enjoy the time with friends and with Julie. It’s so easy to get overextended. I applaud you for making some choices to correct that.
I know I’m not the only one who will miss you! Have a happy New Year, and best of everything!
May your ride into the sunset be Zorro-esque. Best of luck with those shorts.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know you here. It is easy to get overloaded with things other than what we should be doing (i.e. writing).
Like you, I served as chapter president (Wow, what a time eater) and newsletter editor(another time eater) for my local RWA chapter. I was supposed to be critique coordinator next year for my local chapter and e-bulletin coordinator for RWA Kiss of Death chapter but I’ve thrown up my hands in surrender. I have to have more “me time” and have stepped back from ANY commitments other than those I’ve made to me.
Best of luck with your writing. Your humor and outlook on the world will be missed.
Best of luck, Simon — I know I’ll miss your posts, but I totally understand refocusing one’s priorities. May the future bring you all that you wish for.
Hey Simon, I can speak Spanish. And I can fence (six years worth of training, anyway). Does that mean I can plan on seeing you sometime in the New Year?
Best of wishes to both you and Julie.
Yes, Lulu, you can expect to see me next year, sword in hand and phrase book in the other.
PJ, thanks. I hope my shorts will be tight, but outstanding.
Thanks to everyone else for their kind remarks…
Simon, may the roads you wish to travel rise to meet you. I shall miss you about the ‘Rati. All my best for your New Year!
Simon,It’s been a wonderful ride. I’ll miss your impish perspective and fine writing, but you made the right decision . . . life is too short to put important goals on hold.
My best for your bright future . . .
Thanks BG and Pari.
What am I going to do with my Thursdays now?
Simon, you will be missed. Thank you for all the insight, humor, and teaching me the most valuable of lessons this year — to talk first and make judgments second.
My Friday is always open if you have something to share, or just want to say hi.
xo,JT
Thanks JT,
I taught someone something–there’s a first–but I tend to be a living (bad) example.
I may take you up on your offer as and when things happen.
Hey, all the best to you….
See you around on the Left Coast, Simon!
Thanks Paperback Writer and see you in Denver, Naomi…
Maybe we can be treated to an occasional guest blog, just so we can say hi? Please? Maybe?
Best of luck in everything you endeavor, and we do look forward to seeing you back up here in Seattle!
For you, Fran, anything. Stay dry…
This is too sad. But I don’t know how you’ve been doing it this long, with all the writing you did this year.
I’m just glad I’ll still be seeing you on the road, Simon.
Have the best year ever, this year.
Love, Alex
I’ll miss your posts! And the fact that we’re both in NorCal and we’ve never met . . . we’ll have to rectify that in 2008.
But believe me, I completely understand about the time commitment. If I have one more thing on my plate I think it’ll crash.
See you somewhere where we don’t live, Alex…
Allison, I must admit that I’m suprised our paths haven’t crossed, especially considering we used to be neighbors, relatively speaking…
Simon, happy trails to you. All the best in the new year ahead.
Thanks Joesephine…