Monday, January 28, 2013

A PENULTIMATE BLOG POST



Happy New Year and all that. As I wrote over on Middle Grade Mafioso, it's been a hard few weeks, what with brain surgery (my wife), vertigo (me), and overall winter blahs (the whole family). But my time away from blogging put things in perspective, and I realized that the time has come to put The Year of Writing Dangerously to bed.

Yes, I know you're all crying and sad, but let me explain. This was supposed to be the chronicle of a writing year and it's been going on for nearly three. In the meantime I have another blog (Middle Grade Mafioso) which seems to be garnering a following, and a group blog--Project Mayhem--which is completely awesome, and for which I only have to write once a month. Which is about the extent, blogging-wise, which I seem able to bestir myself nowadays. (Since I spend all my time spouting off on Twitter and Facebook.)

To blog well, you have to blog consistently and often. It got to the point with TYOWD, where I would feel guilty because I hadn't posted in weeks, and I felt like a neglectful parent. And I'm anti-guilt.

So, I will count my blessings and bid this blog adieu. And the blessings have been many:

  • Since I started in February 2010, I've "met" a whole bunch of great people. I'm blessed to call a lot of them friends. 
  • I've learned a lot about writing from reading and blogging about "craft" books.
  • Microfiction Monday honed my skills as a 140-character writer, which is why I rock at Twitter.
  • Because of this blog, and particularly my friendship with Matt MacNish, I got the opportunity to be part of Project Mayhem, and to meet even more spectacular writers and good people.
There have also been major changes in my writing life:
  • When I started blogging I didn't have a literary agent. Now I do.
  • I am even more wedded to creating new writing. (I have two manuscripts in various stages of revision, and ideas for a third.)
  • I am much more astute about the value of social media. As an "outgoing introvert" I enjoy connecting with others on this writing journey through blogs, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • And my blogging led to a connection with the great Laura Stanfill, a Portland writer and mentor extraordinaire, who published a book called BRAVE ON THE PAGE, in which I have a small chapter, and for which I was part of a well-attended public reading.
I plan to do one final post on February 6th, which will be my three-year blogoversary to the day. I hope to have as many pals as possible share pearls of writerly wisdom which will live on in the blogdom for all eternity. Thanks for being part of this amazing journey. 

8 comments:

  1. I am astonished you have managed to write anything at all with all the health problems you and your family have experienced. I hope the bad times are behind you now.

    Congratulations on your successes. I think I shall have to follow Project Mayhem now and discover even more of what I don't yet know. *sigh* It's never-ending, isn't it?

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  2. Having one blog is very time consuming so I can't imagine having 3. I've enjoyed your blogging here and hope you can incorporate some of it in your other blog.

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  3. Michael, I hope that your wife is okay. I am sorry to see your blog shut down, but I will hop over to Middle Grade Mafioso and join you there.

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  4. OMGosh, either I totally missed any of that or you kept it to yourself. Either way, I'm so sorry to hear about your family's health issues.

    Yes, you do rock at twitter!

    I'm so glad to have met you ("met" you) and I look forward to keeping up with you and all the good bookish things that are just about to happen.

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  5. Wow, Michael! I am so honored that Brave on the Page is part of this amazing list. Your blog, and your ability to build community around it, inspired me to build my blog. So thank you, and I look forward to keeping posted on your activities through your other blogging projects.

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  6. You'll be missed in this spot, but happily followed in others. :) Pearls of wisdom -- I have but one: Just write.

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  7. this will be your year Michael
    God be with you
    and Ill see you on the other blogs....

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  8. I'll follow you to whatever blog you like, sir!

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