Spring has finally arrived in Australia but instead of being all revived and whatnot, I find myself in a bit of slump. I think it's because time has flown by so quickly in the last couple of months that I feel as if the arrival of spring is a bit premature. I've haven't done much in terms of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year. There's a lot of housework to be done, work is a dementor slowly draining all happiness from me, I get guilty pangs when I'm doing anything but writing and I spend wayyyyy too much time idly blog stalking. Not productive blog stalking, just idly reading random posts that I don't comment on and have no intention of ever following. Overall, I think I'm putting too much pressure on myself. My only solace is that I don't seem to be the only one. I've seen a few post from bloggers I follow saying the same thing so I feel a bit better admitting I'm just Clark Kent and not Superman.
To counter all this sluggishness, I'm going to give myself a break until the New Year. Yep. From now until after the silly season I'm just going to do whatever I feel like without worrying about deadlines, books I haven't been able to read yet and reviews I haven't posted. So there!!
The following is just a bunch of miscellaneous thoughts I didn't know where else to post:
1. I've been dying to share think link with someone forever but have never had a chance. It's hilarious. 7 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Outbreak Would Fail (Quickly)
2. I am deathly afraid of ghosts but have started The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong and really want to finish it. Not sure what to do now. I didn't sleep properly for weeks after watching The Sixth Sense. Fear vs Extreme Curiosity. *edited authors note: read to chapter 4, haven't been able to sleep for 2 nights. Think it's time to give up. Spewing because the book is so good.
3. Have finally caught on that novel writing is a long process and no amount of OCD on my behalf is going to change that.
4. My conspiracy theories about fantasy being less than respected is proven in this episode of the First Tuesday Book Club where authors such as Emily Rodda discuss the perception of fantasy writers amongst the industry.
That's it from me for now. I might be a bit absent from here for a bit but I'll still be lurking around. Having said that, I might learn so self control and be back with a vengeance.
Lan
The Summoning is about more than ghosts. That is only the focus in the beginning (and I know it's a lot!). If you can get past that part, there are more supernatural beings. The ghost part comes up infrequently. A good series!!
ReplyDeleteI am seriously a chicken. But if you say there's not too much scary ghosts maybe I'll keep trying. I can't get the thought of the hanging man out of my head. *shudders*
ReplyDeleteOh, I love The Summoning! Armstrong makes me swallow cliffhangers (and sometimes love triangles) like nobody else can, because her characters are so damn awesome.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered setting up blog triage? I'm thinking of posting this, actually. LOL I've sorted my follow list into prioritized groups, and it really takes the pressure off - I can hit the "important" ones (like yours!) first, then work my way through to the ones I only casually follow. If time is limited, I just hit the top of the list.
I've had little to no time to spend on my writing, and I'm feeling bad about that. But I'm busy plotting out my next novel, so I'm spending a lot of "mental" time in that world even if I'm not writing much of it down yet...sometimes letting things simmer for awhile helps.
Enjoy spring! We're into fall now; expecting our first frost any day, and snow within a few weeks. :)
BJ: I'm so jealous that you guys in the northern hemisphere get snow. My biggest wish is a white Christmas but it's so hot here during that time. I'm really liking the idea of a blog triage. Prob good also cos a lot of followers tend to post about similar things like cover reveals. As usual my imagination is running wild and I've turned The Summoning into a horror instead of YA fantasy. I hate ghosts. I much prefer something you can punch. I'd love to read some of your writing someday!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever hit the lotto I will just go your way when it gets cold, then I can live in forever summer. *sigh* That sounds like the life.
ReplyDeleteI like the zombie thing, but then I really love zombie fiction!!
Beth ^_^
Novel writing is a long process! This is one thing I've learned recently. Plus, I know what you mean by feeling sluggish. I told myself Saturday that I would spend Sunday afternoon catching up on blogging post ideas and articles and planning out stuff. I only got a few things accomplished. I am so behind. Too many other things going on at the moment, I'm losing focus. I just want to be ahead of the game--schedule like two weeks worth of my blog, then be able to sit back for a few days and relax a little before having to come up with more ideas, lol.
ReplyDeleteHang in there! :)
I'm a huge believer in ghosts (which is why I can't watch scary movies LOL), but I actually ADORED Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series! You should definitely read it -- it's not as much of a ghost story as it is a story about supernaturals :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that novel-writing is a really long process! People think it's easy until they actually start. Coming up with an awesome idea is the easy part -- actually putting it into words is what takes so much time! Plus, in between blogging and school and sports teams and clubs, I've barely written anything lately! x)
Beth:Forever summer sounds like a good idea but wouldn't you get bored and long for a cool change? How funny is the zombie thing??
ReplyDeleteJessica: Same. When I started writing I thought...this will be a years work tops. Yeah right! I always want to be ahead of my blogging but it's impossible. Multi tasking is a bit counter productive sometimes!
Mimi: Everyone keeps telling me to keep reading The Summoning :)"Coming up with an awesome idea is the easy part -- actually putting it into words is what takes so much time" <-- that's my biggest issue there. I have about 6 stories in my head and no time to actually write/edit any of it!!
This is why you are my bestest Australian blogger friend in the universe - you have just alleviated my concerns/terrors/paralyzing fears about the Zombie Apocalypse by leading me to that super awesome article. I dont know why such essential scientific research discoveries are NOT being made available to the general public, dammnit. We have a right to know that all our zombie fears are a complete waste of time. I can now sleep easier. Start eating my cookie food storage. Use my supply of bullets to make necklaces and generally, live it up.
ReplyDeleteSee?! Even when you are blogging about 'being in a slump' you still manage to find gems of insight that are screamingly funny and sooo useful. You rock.
Oh - and be nicer to yourself. Writing a book really suckx sometimes. So does reviewing and reading cos you have to. Just please dont stop sharing life saving apocalypse info with us.
Lol I love the zombie post.
ReplyDeleteI have Kelley armstrongs book to sitting on my shelf. You'll have to let me know how you like besides it being ghostly.
I know what you mean about the slump. Hints some of my posting or lack there of.
First off, I'm so jealous that you get spring while I'm stuck in the beginnings of fall--which would be fine except fall leads to my most hated season: winter.
ReplyDeleteAnd way to go with shaking off the pressure of reading and posting on a schedule. I didn't know before I started blogging that I could feel pressure to read/write, so I definitely think it's good to take breaks once in a while to remember what it's like to read purely for fun without thinking how you're going to review the book.
What Karen said! Really wish it were Spring as I hate, hate, hate winter and it's almost here. *brrrr*
ReplyDeleteLove the zombie post! Really put my mind to rest about surviving the zombie hordes. ;)
I know what you mean! I haven't been feeling very productive in the blogging world lately, especially now that school has started again and most of my reading is done with textbooks instead of novels =( I'm trying to do the same as you and just "let go" for a while, but it's so hard!
ReplyDeleteAs to #4, I didn't watch the episode, but I think I know what you mean ... I think there's this stereotypical view that fantasy is usually the genre filled with "geeks" and "nerds". Maybe that's why it's less respected? On the other hand, if it's any comfort to fantasy, I think YA is even less respected ... especially since the advent of Twilight. Aha.
Lani: How funny is that Zombie article? The comments are even funnier :) I'll take your advice and def be kind to myself.
ReplyDeleteAsh: I'll totally let you know once I finish reading :)
Karen: I'm sure by the end of summer I'll be glad for winter to sweep in. It gets so hot here and that can't stand it! I've tried to plan posts as well but it never happens :)
Alexia: Don't you kinda wish zombies were real? I want to know if all the things I've learned in books and movies actually works!
Jinny: It's so hard to keep up on here and read at the same time isn't it? It's probably worse for you with your mandatory school reading. I defy anyone to fault the awesomeness of fantasy writers like George R.R Martin.
First of all, I must say that i absolutely love this post about nothing in particular and to thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteOkay so, I'm kinda hating my job right now because I cant see the zombie thing here and it sucks b/c i need some entertainment!!! They block all the good websites!! Ugh...I guess I'll have ot check it at home.
Spring is like my fav season (but only when there's a breeze...like when it's perfect weather...and I cant sweat even if I wanted to). It's fall here, and I like fall too. Its almost ike spring only opposite. Things die instead of grow and it gets colder instead of hot. That being said, I was born in January and it has snowed so many times on my birthday that I could never plan an actual birthday party, it always had to be a sleepover just in case. I love winter (mainly because I love winter clothes...coats, boots, sweaters, hats...dont judge me) I'd prefer to be cold than hot. Becides, they cancel work when there's too much snow...and you get to be snowed in with all the exciting people you're stuck with...memories...how many times do they cancel work b/c its too hot? Never!!! (i'd tell you last years blizzard story...but this is your blog...not my personal story space...so i'll let it go)...
I have the summoning...got it during the Borders Bookstore going out of business sale...havent got a chance to read it yet...mainly b/c i'm too scared. If you look at my recent review of Darkhouse, you'll see what I mean. Its like I cant stop the jittery feeling of terror when I read books like that.
Oh and the writing......(btw...what I read so far was genius...I will finish it soon but i've been just so busy)...I had a dream like a month ago...and I KNOW it would be a wonderful book. Kinda dystopian and stuff...but i'm kinda scared to even get started. Its like I constantly doubt whether the words I write will fill up any more than 2 pages. How on earth can I even turn what is in my head into words. What if I start and never ever finish it. What if i start and become so addicted to the book that I dont have time for anyone except my puppy, my computer, and a Starbucks Awake tea latte. Ugh..so many what if's. O well...I'll get to it someday...
Okay so i'm done taking up you're whole comment space. I'll stop now!
Spring is my fav season too but I would much rather be too cold than too hot. There's always more stuff you can do to keep warm but only so muchyiu can do to cool down. And you're right, work never gets cancelled because it's too hot. Two summers ago, the power to the whole city went down because people were overusing their airconditioners. I'd love to get snowed in with exciting ppl! I was enjoying The Summoning so much but seriously books about ghosts spook me out bigtime. Will try it again soon though. So glad you're enjoying the book. No pressure to read though! As Stephanie Meyer as this sounds, heaps of my books start off as dreams. All your thoughts about writing are legit writers concerns :) welcome to the wonderful world of writing Sherre. I really hope you do try jotting your dream down. I'm convinced that book bloggers are all secretly writers. Even if it's just a little. And you can clog up my comment space any time. I have to apologize about the huge comment with no proper spacing. Typing this on my iPhone and can't figure it out!
ReplyDeleteHehe...no problem...I do it all the time, only in my blackberry...which is worse b/c the pages always take forever to come up and then freeze!
ReplyDeleteWell have a great spring break! Id definitely be taking a break if it was spring here haha! See you around - and ill miss you when youre not!
ReplyDelete-Alana
http://booksandalana.blogspot.com
Too obsessed with the internet. Writing more short stories than my work-in-progress novel. Have a great spring break!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Zombie Outbreak link. (I actually debated about whether a Zombie Apocalypse would be successful with my friend. This link helped a lot)
I'm scared of ghost too (and fully believe in them O.O)
Yes, I'm the same Sabrina from Cup of Tea Reviews.
ReplyDeleteAhh there is a surprising number of people who think George Martin "sucks". Even some people whose opinions I highly respect!! (Although, I know, everyone has different tastes in books). It's hard for me to read the negative reviews because I am so invested in the series, and I truly love it so much, haha. But I think the people who don't like Martin's series are just looking for something different in books. I know it's heavy on plot, and not so much on character development, which is completely fine with me, but I know some people don't like that. *shrugs*
ReplyDelete