Stephen has been nagging me – nicely nagging me – to write a farewell blog for Murderati. And the reason why I was so late getting it to him is the reason why, I think, this blog is closing shop.
Time.
Time is finite. We have twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We can’t create more time. It’s always there, always moving forward, never slowing down or speeding up. We may think we have more time or less time depending on what’s happening in our lives, but the truth is, the steady movement of time is one of the few constants of the universe.
Writer’s write. It’s what we do. So blogs seem to be a natural extension of what we love. And to be honest, I really enjoy blogging. I love interacting with readers, and a blog format allows the back-and-forth in a conversational way. I’m an extrovert, and sometimes when I write all day, every day, I need that outlet to communicate with real people, not fictional ones!
But the truth is, when blogging becomes a chore, something we have to do rather than something we want to do, we feel an intense pressure that prevents us from being our best. And we want to be our best selves, especially in public!
This month has been unusually busy for the Brennan house – a house that always has something going on. How can it not, I have five kids? But my youngest is playing baseball, my youngest daughter is playing softball and a weekend soccer league, my older son is in track and just left on a week-long spiritual retreat with his school, my 17 year old is studying for AP tests and staring in the school OZ musical as the Wicked Witch.
Kelly and my husband have been building AND painting the 10-foot high OZ face – and it turned out amazing! (Kelly also had art selected to be in the California State Fair—I’m so proud of her!)
And then my oldest, in college, is coming home May 3 and we’ve been making arrangement for storage of her belongings, her driving home and with whom, and finalizing her classes for the fall.
Plus, I have a book due May 1 and I’m behind.
My life is my kids and writing. I love going to their events – the games, the plays, the art shows. And I love writing – I live my dream job, warts and all. I recently signed a new contract with Minotaur and am launching a new series in April of 2014 – my first hardcover series about an investigative crime reporter Maxine Revere. In addition to continuing my Lucy Kincaid series. And, my #2 daughter is graduating from high school in 13 months and then going off to college, likely on the East Coast. Which means my time with her now is even more important, because I’m not going to get any more.
What those of us who regularly visit Murderati really want is for the authors who blog here to write more books. If not for the stories, we would never have known each other. The stories bond us, and they always will. If closing down this blog gives writers more writing time, then we all benefit.
So let’s chat – what did you love best about Murderati? What’s keeping your life busy? Read any good books lately? Anything you want to talk about, I’m game – ask me anything!
Allison Brennan is a New York Times bestselling author of 20 books and multiple short stories. The next book in her Lucy Kincaid series, STOLEN, received a top pick by RT Book Reviews and will be out in stores June 4. You can visit her at allisonbrennan.com or murdershewrites.com.
Kids and writing? Yes, indeed, Allison.
Time? Hah!
What's keeping me busy? Kids and work right now . . . and the never-ending end of my marriage.
Thank you for gracing Murderati with your words once more.
I don't know how you do it all, Allison. I was telling my friend the other day, that I don't know how normal people get up early in the morning and go to bed late at night. For the first time in my life, I'm actually busy, staying at Uni from 7am to 8pm, most days.Getting out of there to pick up brother, drop of brother, pay bills, sort things off, ARGH! I wasn't born for this. I was born for my 2-6pm nap! So, yeah, no idea how you do it all. I really admire that! 😀
Also, I'm happy I don't have to miss you, that I see you all the time in cyberspace!!! <3 <3
ps: you have such super talented kids!
Allison, I've always respected your ability to juggle your career and your responsibilities as a an active parent. You're giving your kids the best of everything, in my opinion.
Oh, Allison… family first, yes… we love your books. That's why we come here, because we love books and the writers who write them. If not for the books we wouldn't be here at the blog. Keep on… you are terrific.
xoxo Reine
Pari — I'm glad I returned! I'm going to miss Murderati. I catch up on the weekends … because time has another victim, my reading time. :/
Barbie — I'll definitely see you in cyberspace!
Stephen — Well, talk to my kids. They think I don't do enough with them! But they don't have to go to day care after school, and they all can participate in after school activities. The grass is always greener, you know …
Reine — Good to see you here again! 🙂
Allison, you're such a wonderful combination of frank pragmatism and sheer stamina. I honestly don't know how you manage to accomplish all you do. I see you on twitter and MSW (where I'm a long-time lurker), but it's so good to hear your voice over here again.
And you're right, if it comes to a choice of books or blog posts, I'll choose books every time. I just wish we didn't have to choose.
I'm with you KD — it has to be the books.
Now guess what? I'm off to a baseball game as soon as my daughter comes home with my car! Starting time: 5 pm. Fortunately, my husband left early so my son won't be late. I'm late to everything …
Allison –
You know I'll still see you over at murdershewrites, but it's good to see you back over here one more time. What did I like best about Murderati? It felt like we were all a part. The commenters, the newly minted writers, the indie self-pubs, the still working toward traditional, and the pros. This blog was so representative of the mystery community in particular, because it was so all-inclusive for people. I don't think anyone here felt like an outsider, or somehow less-than, no matter their "position" in the publishing world. Everybody mattered here, and I just love the comraderie that something like that can instill. That's why I love the discussion board idea. I don't think it would wind up like some of the writers digest boards become, because there is already such a bonded following here.
I'll miss that. A lot. But I know I'll still see you around, and by cutting back on this, all of you guys will have more books out there for me to digest, dissect, and use for enjoyment and improvement.
Hard to argue with that.
Allison, I'm glad you came back to Murderati for one last post. I've enjoyed getting to know you here and on Murder She Writes. I think what I love best about Murderati is all the different writing styles and how they came together to create this great community of people. I hope that makes sense (it did in my head!)….
Murderati always had a great bunch of people, even when some came and some went. I consider them all my friends. I even got to meet David for the first time recently! 🙂
Thanks Erin … we did have a great community while it lasted.
Allison
Hope i live up the name. Thanks for all the great inspiration and focus.
Thanks Allison! You will! The name has good juju 🙂
Mark's team didn't win yesterday, but they played one of their best games against the only undefeated team in the AA league (8 and under) — they lost 10-8. The other team had some powerhouse hitters, but two innings we struck out three batters in a row. Whoot!
Allison, you know I stand in utter awe of all you do. And even more importantly, you always keep your priorities. You're a force of nature, and I really want to be like you when I grow up. Thank you for always finding exactly the right balance, and teaching us to look for our happiness in what we have, not what might be.