Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Going on Hiatus for the Great California College Tour


            First, I’d like to say how thankful I am for all your support during the last week.  I’m blown away by the fact that so many of you read my entire last post, as long as it was.  I received more comments than ever, so I think I must have struck a chord.  Several of my friends here on Blogger ran similar posts about blogging and what it’s meant for them.  Some have reassessed the amount of time they devote to blogging so they can get back to the real reason they are even here in the first place:  writing their novel.
Yes, blogging takes a great deal of time, not just writing an interesting post, but also devoting time to your loyal followers.  After all, we’d be next to nothing without them.  I’ve been a tad neglectful of my own for the last week and for that, I apologize.  Some of you know why, but most do not, and, frankly, I’m a bit leery of sharing the reason outright for fear I will jinx myself.  It’s happened before, God knows.  I open my mouth in excitement and the next thing I know, devastating disappointment.  So I’ve learned not to get my hopes up and I truly don’t think anything will come of it this time around either, but I can’t help but be hopeful.  To that effect, I need a diversion to get my mind off things.  Lucky for me, I already have just the thing.
You see, my sixteen-year-old son and I are leaving in two days for what we call The Great California College Tour.  In one year, he will be off to college.  He hates it here in Western Washington.  Can’t say I blame him.  It rains a lot here in Seattle.  And I mean A LOT!  When it’s not raining, it’s usually cloudy and way too cold for our tastes.  We are, after all, from sunny, warm California, and my son dearly wants to return there to attend college.  So for the last fourteen days of August, we will be touring twelve universities, from San Diego to Santa Rosa.  That’s 12 colleges in 14 days, plus a family wedding.  YIKES!
Needless to say, I will be very busy and so I’ll likely not have any time to write or post here.  I suppose I could use the time to re-energize my blog writing, come up with some new and interesting topics.  I’ve been quite distracted lately with blogfests, awards and such, what I lovingly call fluff.  I think it’s time I get back to some serious writing.
I’ve also completely finished my last novel.  That’s right, I finally no longer feel the need to revise, at least not until I hear back from a few gatekeepers.  Fingers crossed they even give me feedback.  That’s all I’m really hoping for at this point.  But this time away will be a much needed distraction so I can regroup and focus on my next book.  I hope to do some character sketches and work on my outline.  Unfortunately, I don’t feel the same inspiration this time around like I did with my first novel.  Nobody’s whispering in my ear this time, so that means this will be work.  That scares me. 
I might write a few posts on our college tour progress, maybe post a few pictures of the beautiful campuses we will be visiting, that is if I can figure out how to upload remotely.  In the mean time, I will do my best to visit you all from time to time, post a comment or two when I can.  But please know that if I do not, it’s only because I am devoting all of my time to helping my son make the most important decision of his young life thus far.  I can honestly say I will miss blogging.  As much of a chore as I’ve always thought of it, it’s also been the one way in which I reach out and connect with others like myself.  That has meant more to me than any of you will ever know.  Thanks for that, and I hope you come back and visit with me again after my hiatus.  God bless you all!                     

17 comments:

Al Penwasser said...

Have fun!
I leave in a few hours to return my son to Virginia Tech. Not nearly as long as your trip, I'll be back (much sadder) by Thursday morning.
My son is going to be an engineer (which, I found out, doesn't necessarily mean he'll drive trains. Damn! I wanted that bitchin' hat). I'm hoping he gets a very high-paying job so he can put me in a super-swanky rest home. With all-you-can-eat lime jello buffets.

Lisa Regan said...

Be safe. Have fun. You know I will miss you terribly! :) I will be harassing you by text message.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Have fun, stay safe, and here's hoping he finds the perfect college. As for Seattle, I love Seattle, so much so that I used it as a setting in my first novel. I did use some creative license and made up a fictitious marina at Lake Union. But that's only because I knew it would be a while before "Dead Witness" came out, and landscape changes.

Even tho we're 1000km north, we're getting a lot of that rain this year, so I can relate. It's the dreary overcast that I find depressing. Yes, everything is greener, but days and days of gray skies is too much.

Yet, we live in a wonderful part of the world. Only have to watch the news to figure that out. Anyway, that's a post for another day. Have a great trip, Nancy. I think traveling with your son is going to be a wonderful future memory.

Carrie Butler said...

Enjoy the time with your son and be safe! :)

Psst... also, best of luck with that which shall not be mentioned. (No jinxes!) God bless!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

If it weren't for loyal followers, we'd be talking to ourselves! Congratulations on finishing the novel and sage travels on th college tour.

Anonymous said...

Have a great time, Nancy! I know you will be busy, so don't wear yourself out.
We just farmed our oldest son off to Kansas State. I have to say that going to the orientation with him was one of the most bittersweet moments of my life.

Dammit, they grow up too fast. Now I just wish I could.

Be safe, be well, and see you on your return!

Kittie Howard said...

Our nephew made the college trek last year - his father treasures those memories; they became even closer. Please enjoy this precious time with your son. Blogging is also about allowing others the freedom to do what they need to do. So, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!! (And good luck with that special something. Congrats on finishing that novel. You rock!)

Jeff King said...

We'll be here when you get back... be safe, have fun!

Alexis Bass said...

Have fun on tour! ;) I live in Western WA - so I totally get it. I went to college in Arizona because I needed the sun.

Way to go on the completed novel. That has to be the best feeling!

The East Coaster said...

This was one of the best memories I - going on the college roundup with my mom. Have fun! Laugh (cry a little if you need to), but enjoy the moment.

Laila Knight said...

Oh, you would post on Tuesdays when I'm not looking. :) Have a great time on your trip. Remind your son not to screw around in college...it's so easy to do. Do you have an idea yet for your next novel? Take a break and spend some time in the sun. God bless you too. :)

Nancy Thompson said...

@Al: Good luck with your son. I know how you feel. Perhaps if he's rich enough, he can afford both the bitchin' cap AND the swanky rest home!

@Lisa: Oh, you know you can't get rid of me THAT easy! I'll be emailing & texting if you do the same.

@Joylene: Thanks! I didn't mind the first few years here when the weather was normal, but the last 2 have been difficult. It is beautiful though!

@Carrie: Thanks for always stopping by! And for the good wishes, too! I hope someday I can have some good news to share.

@Alex: Thanks! And you've got that right, for sure!

@Bryce: Thank you! I have another year before orientation but I'mm worried already! They do grow up too fast, but I don't think you ever should!

@Kittie: Hey, welcome home! And thanks so very much!

@Jeff: I appreciate that! Thanks!

@Alexis: Oh, where in Western WA? My son is considering UA. And it is a VERY good feeling to finish the book!

@TEC: I'm looking forward to every minute with my boy! Bittersweet!!

@Laila: I'm a sporadic poster! Never know when I'll get the itch. My kid is a good one. He takes school very seriously and is very ambitious and not a risk taker, at all. And yes, I already know what my next book is about, I just need a plot to move the story. I'll email you about it soon! And I plan on getting a tan. They don't know what that is here in Seattle!

M Pax said...

Well, I hope your hopes aren't dashed. :)

Have a great tour around California. Sounds like a great trip.

Unknown said...

Oh that's a great idea!! Taking the time to help your 16-yr-old really fall in love with the right college just makes me go all gooey proud for you and happy for him/her.

Enjoy the road trip. Sounds like you'll be super busy. I admire your tenacity, trying to finish up the book while traveling. Good luck!

Valentina Hepburn said...

Hi Nancy,
Come on over to my place when you return from your trip. There are a couple of awards waiting for you over there.

Love Valentina x

Peggy Eddleman said...

Sounds like an amazing, and completely EXHAUSTING trip! I hope you both have a blast!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Hope you've been enjoying yourself.