Ciao, amici! This week’s final post will be short and sweet. Well, maybe not sweet. But definitely short. At least, shorter than usual.
I’m babbling. Anyway…
I’ve had my share of challenges in the last few months. Most recently, my son celebrated his 22nd birthday, and it was the first of his birthdays that I didn’t get to spend with him. It probably doesn’t seem like that big a deal to most of you, but I coped poorly. It was a huge deal to me. Empty Nest Syndrome has hit me harder than I ever thought it would. Which brings me to today’s quote by an unknown author:
On particularly rough days when I’m sure
I can’t possibly endure,
I like to remind myself that my track record
for getting through bad days so far is 100%.
And that’s pretty good.
Nothing I could do about not being there for my son’s big day but talk to him and enjoy every second of the call. I saved the tears for after I hung up. And then I reminded myself that I have a perfect record of living through pain.
Now, as dwelling only sucks me down a vortex of despair, I’m going to move on to other matters. Namely, my blogging schedule. Again. Because I haven’t changed things enough recently, right?
Next week, instead of the usual features, I’ll be hosting my SE partners in our Something Wicked Tour. Complete details can be found here now or on daily Story Empire posts next week. And I’ll have my specific host posts Monday through Friday, each of which will end with a link to where I’m being hosted.
It may sound tedious the way I just explained it, but it should be a lot of fun.
I’ll wrap up October with a couple of random things (stay tuned!), but then I’ll be largely absent in November. Because I don’t’ have enough going on, I’m trying NaNoWriMo for the first time ever. (I’m Writester if you want to buddy-up.) I have no idea if I’ll have the time (or the will) to do it, but I’m going to try. So I won’t be posting here, and I probably won’t have time for commenting on your sites. I’m so sorry to be gone (again) but it’s a time issue.
Okay, maybe this post wasn’t as short as I expected. Sorry.
But that’s it in a nutshell. I miss my family, I’m overworked, I have a tour all next week, NaNo is coming, and I’m going to be absent again.
What’s going on with you? Let’s talk about it.
And now, this week’s writing links:
Posts by me, about my work, or at sites I contribute to:
Me
- Mondays are Murder: Mary Rogers
- Review Tuesday: Viral Blues
- WIP Wednesday: Moon
- Sci-Fi Thursday: Project Blue Book
Story Empire
- The Unrepentant Character | Mae Clair
- Book Pages on Amazon | Harmony Kent
- Let’s Talk Regional | Mae Clair
Posts by others in the industry:
- How to Describe Your Main Character | Kill Zone
- Planning Your Novel’s Beginning | Fiction University
- Book Description Template | Nicholas C. Rossis
- Anne Enright’s 10 Rules for Writing Fiction | Writers Write
- Advantages of Writing in Multiple Perspectives | Kobo Writing Life
- Changing Info Dumps into Plot Reveals | Helping Writers Become Authors
- Emotional Power of Connected Settings | Live Write Thrive
- Miscategorized Genres | Kobo Writing Life
- Live Video for Book Marketing | Nicholas C. Rossis
- Fall Design Bundles | Natalie Ducey
- Learning from Literary Metaphors | Writers Helping Writers
- Using Layers to Enhance Scenes | Kill Zone
- Crafting a New Writing Persona | Kobo Writing Life
- Writing about Your Passions | Nicholas C. Rossis
- SMART Story Goals | Writers Write
To make you smile:
- Bored of Education | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Thanksgiving Humor | Random Short Stories
- Sunday Funnies | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Monday Funnies | Storyreading Ape
- Jokes and Memes | Smorgasbord
- You Have Been Warned | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Laughter Lines | Smorgasbord
- Gems Found Elsewhere | Ranting Along
- Twiggy’s New Toy | John W. Howell
And when you’re done with these links, don’t forget to check out the sidebar, where you’ll find more links to some of my favorite sites.
Have a great weekend! Arrivederci!
Love the quote, Staci! And I have to say I’m glad to hear you’re cutting back a bit on blogging for a while. I was just thinking how tough it is to keep up with my blogging friends who post every day or almost every day. Whew!
See you at NaNo!
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It’s all just too much sometimes, isn’t it? This past week, I took a hard look at things and came to the realization that I have to cut a lot out. But that’s a sad topic for another day. Let’s just let this positive quote linger…
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We’re in the same boat with this empty next thing, Staci. I haven’t been with my oldest son for the past several years on his birthday, and it still makes me a little sad. I think I’ll give NaNo a shot – I’ll look you up.
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It’s an adjustment for sure. I hope it gets easier.
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Cheering you on, Staci! You got this. 🙂
Thanks again for another awesome share and for including my post, as well.
Wishing you a fabulous week ahead. Cheers!
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Wishing you a wonderful week, too!
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger.
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Aw, hugs for your rough time. I don’t have kids but I remember my leaving home hit my mum pretty hard. Be kind to yourself 😊
And best of luck with nano!
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I had trouble leaving home, but my mom’s reaction was worse than mine. I didn’t get it then, but now I do.
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❤️
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good luck with your busy schedule! and I know the feeling of missing your kids. We do a lot of video chats!
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The next best thing, I suppose. Sorry you’re in the same boat.
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But it is fun going to visit them…
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There is that…
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I’m sorry you couldn’t be with your son for his birthday, I missed my grandson’s for the first time this year, as well, and it broke my heart. They say Facetime works, but it’s not the same, is it?
Good luck with NaNo. With all I have on my plate, I SHOULD have signed up to get some motivation! lol
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No, FaceTime isn’t the same. I keep telling myself it’s better than when my grandparents left family behind in Italy and never saw or talked to them again, but it’s a small comfort.
It’s not too late to join NaNo!
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I totally relate to the empty-nester syndrome. I remember the first year our youngest daughter couldn’t come home from college for the holidays. It was the saddest and quietest holiday ever! I too have signed up for NaNoWriMo and have no idea how I’ll be able to do everything I have to do AND write 1700 words per day. We shall see, but I’m going to give it a shot! I’ve sent a buddy request to you. I have a feeling all of our blogs may suffer through November unless we schedule posts ahead of time. Either way, it will be an experience! Thanks for sharing, Staci!
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I didn’t want to schedule posts and not be here to comment on them, so I’m just taking a break. Hopefully I don’t suffer for it. I will head over to my NaNo account as soon as I’m through email and accept that buddy request!
Empty-nesting is rough. I was just getting used to my daughter missing Easter because college doesn’t have an Easter break. Now I’ll be missing Thanksgiving and Christmas with her this year, too. And I just missed my son’s birthday. When I was a kid, everyone was together for every holiday. And just random things, too. I wish it was like that again.
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My week was surprisingly similar. My son–those children!–here in the US on leave from Japan. Yes, I did call him three times but that was no reason for him to snap at me! Was it?
Love your quote.
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Absolutely no reason for him to snap. 🙂 They just don’t get it. Mothering is hard (in person and long distance). I hope you got some quality time with him.
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Good luck on NaNoWriMo. Yes, birthdays away can be sad. Thank you for the link, Staci.
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I’m too tender-hearted. I need to toughen up.
Thanks, John.
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Why? To save angst. Never happen.
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I would certainly like to cut back on the angst. I’ve just never been good at suppressing my emotions. I guess it’s just who I am.
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I must be a bad person. I just want mine to go away. I have one pushing 40 who still lives at home. The tour is going to be tiring, but fun. Think of all the nice comments and interaction we’re going to get. I’m going to miss all you guys while you’re in your culverts or wherever you go to write. I’ll bet you all win.
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You aren’t a bad person. You just haven’t been away from that child long enough to experience the pain of absence.
I’m sure you’ll still hear from me in Slack. I’ll be in there crying about how nothing is going right in my project. (Didn’t know I was able to see the future, did you?)
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I’ll help crack that whip. Do a once over for pages, or whatever you like.
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Thanks! I’ll take all the help I can get.
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I’ll be in slack whining with the best of them.
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I’ll keep a towel on my shoulder.
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I’m so sorry you weren’t with your son for his birthday, but I know you were there in spirit.
Like you, I’m taking November off blogging to tackle NaNo. I’ll be announcing my plans the end of October. Fingers crossed we can both pull it off and “win.”
And I’m looking forward to our Something Wicked Tour, You’ve just reminded me I need to add links to the posts about where I’ll be that day. One more thing for the to do list, LOL!
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Links. I feel like half of October was setting up those links. Glad to have reminded you, though.
Fingers crossed for all of us this NaNo.
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I am also doing NaNo for the first time. If you need more buddies, I’m Chelepie. And I’m not nearly as busy as you are. But I do have my challenges. I do miss seeing family for all special occasions, and I wish we could be together to celebrate. Perhaps someday…
Good luck with your busy schedule.
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When we were kids, we saw Grandpap every day and Grandma at least twice a week. (I walked there more than that on my own, so I had to say “at least” twice.) Now, I never see anyone. Times have not changed for the better.
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You are right. And I do not believe that they will get better. The family dynamic is not what it used to be at all.
Many times I would stop to see Grandma at her house on the way somewhere. It was always nice. And, it seemed there was always someone stopping to chat with her and Grandpap on the way somewhere. Now, no one walks anywhere, or if they do, they certainly don’t stop to chat.
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So true. And so sad.
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You have a lot on the go, Staci. I had a post a day this week for my Through the Nethergate promotions and it was, and still is, a struggle to keep up. I have not inclination or enthusiasm to try and do the November writing undertaking. I will just plod along as I do all the time.
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Ha ha. I’m wiped out and am not finished with mine yet. I have another book I’d like to release next month, too. I must be crazy.
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Whew, Craig, that is hard work. Mind you, I have two anthologies I have short stories in coming out this month too.
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Sometimes you can share the work on those. Congratulation, by the way.
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That’s great news, Robbie. I’m sure you’re exhausted, but it’s exciting. Wishing you all the best!
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I completely understand, Robbie. Tours are exhausting. But if I didn’t try NaNo, I know I wouldn’t even attempt this story for a long while, and I’d like to get a release as “me” next year as well as my pen names. I’m hoping this is the motivation I need.
Craig, your tour schedule has been insane! And you have SE next week. My brain would be mush.
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At least all those posts are written and delivered. I wrote many of these like a short order cook when the hosts asked. I have no idea what to do for the next release.
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For the next release? Buy pumpkin beer and drown your worries.
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That is a wonderful quote! I have to say I also have a 100% track record of getting through bad days, weeks, months, years. Darn, I sound like a Debbie Downer don’t I? I’m looking forward to the tour next week as well as NaNo. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can do it and that my writing muse doesn’t run off into oblivion.
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After all the whining I’ve done to you lately, you can’t possibly think you’re a Debbie Downer. By comparison, you’re Little Mary Sunshine.
Fingers crossed for our tour and NaNo!
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I’ve done my share of whining too!
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I didn’t know this was your first Nano. Good luck!
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My very first. I’m still wondering what I was thinking. My schedule is already so packed.
Thanks, Priscilla.
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Reblogged this on Nicholas C. Rossis and commented:
Another week, another great collection of writing links by Staci
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Much appreciated, Nicholas.
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I feel you, Staci. The wee one’s just 4 and I’m already stressing over what it’ll be like when she leaves the nest. Sigh…
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Four is such a great age. Don’t miss her childhood because you’re worrying about adulthood, Nicholas. You have so many wonderful times ahead of you.
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Great and exhausting if you’re a whisper away from 50 like me! But I agree; I’m loving (almost) every moment 🙂
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I’m that whisper, too. But my baby days are done. Until I have grandkids…
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I can understand your feelings … the first birthday apart in 22 years! I love the quote you used this week. Thanks for the links, Staci, and have a great weekend 🙂
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I’m glad the post spoke to you, Harmony. I was afraid it was too gloomy, but people seem to be responding well to it.
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Staci, I can totally relate to your feelings at missing your son’s birthday. This empty-nester is … (insert appropriate word, probably not appropriate for here!) My son left for uni four weeks ago and his weekend will be the first time I see him since. Can’t wait!! He’s 18 and settled in well and enjoying himself. But I know he’s had hard times. As for me … I thought I was going mad the first week but luckily it got better. And yep, this January will be the first time we will not all be together birthday. Planning an early home celebration. Sorry for rambling on, you touched a nerve! Good luck with November! You can do it! 😀
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Ramble away, Annika. I feel your pain. I wish I had a solution for it.
And I inserted not one word, but a whole string of them!
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😀❤️
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{hugs}
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Thanks for the mentions Staci… good luck with your NaNoWriMo… great job..xx
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Glad to include you, Sally. 🙂 Happy weekend!
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