C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

One Decision More

By

Since May 17, I’ve been making a lot of decisions. The biggest difference in all of this decision making is that I’m doing it on my own. What I’ve found is that I’m much more cautious than I used to be. Perhaps because there’s no safety net anymore. If I screw up, I have to fix it myself.

So here’s my latest solo decision: I’m going to start blogging on #IWSG Wednesday only…at least until next year. Then I’ll reevaluate where I am and what my plans going forth will be. However, just because I’m pulling back on my weekly posts, doesn’t mean that I won’t visit my friends. As I said in an earlier post this month, I’ll just be slower and not as regular for a while.

I’ll send out my Email Connect monthly, too, instead of twice a month. I can hear the sighs of relief. “One fewer email in my inbox!”

Soon, I hope to be back doing what I love to do, which is to write and “talk” about books on my social media, and I hope to include my Featured Author program again. I enjoy that a lot, and it will be a nice addition to my angsty posts about Insecurities. I also have many thank you’s to dole out to those bloggers who took over my book launch in May, so those thank you’s will dot both my Email Connect and my monthly posts as well as elsewhere whenever possible.

One person I want to send a huge bouquet to is L. Diane Wolfe, who has been so understanding. Her most frequent comment has been “Take all the time you need.” Thank you Diane. And thanks for publishing Some Very Messy Medieval Magic.

 

Quote of the Week: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

Comments

  2. I think you’re wise to not push back to the pace you’d been keeping. You can always add more when you’re ready . . . or you may decide that a slower pace is much more comfortable.

    I’ve found recently that I need to cut down the number of things I’m doing and reevaluate where I’m spending my time. This has caused my other blog (my personal one) to lapse, but I believe that writing there when I actually have something to say will feel much more satisfying than writing on a schedule.

    L. Diane Wolfe’s advice is solid.

  6. This all sounds very healthy, Lee. I’ve been toying with the idea of downsizing my blogging but for a different reason: I think readers like it better. I get more comments, more interaction, when I don’t bombard them with so many thoughts!

    I like #iwsg–one of my monthly participations also. I’ll see you over there!

    BTW–loved your newsletter. Your header is so clean and clear–I may steal the idea. And you have me considering a change back to Firefox. I switched from it because it was so slow when I had multiple tabs open. Maybe they’ve changed!

    • I tried Firefox yesterday and found it was really a lot faster than Chrome. I’m still having some trouble getting to recognize my other google account. I may have to visit a tech teacher for help. 🙂

  8. Hey, superstar author and all-round delightful human friend, Lee,

    Yes, you are actually noting, much to your delight, a comment from your starstruckest fan!

    Indeed, you need to find the right balance that truly works for you. I know that blogging and all the rest of the stuff that goes with it, such as, um those hippety hoppety blogfests and of course, that IWSG scene, can takes it toll. It’s why I’ve been so much in the background as of late. I found my balance was to stay away for a bit.

    All the best to you, Lee.

    Penny’s human dad,

    Gary 🤔

  9. This seems like such a good way forward. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through and the types of tough decisions you’re having to make. Hopefully, this one helps take some pressure off. We’re all here for you and looking forward to connecting and touching base on a monthly basis. Take care.

  11. Your new caution and reevaluation is natural. When my relationship ended after eight years, though not in such an unexpected, catastrophic way, I was the same. Not having a safety net any longer is a huge life change, but…like me, I bet you DO have a safety net–it hasn’t disappeared, just changed. Friends, family, and your fellow blogger-writers, will be there for you, as will hired professionals. While it doesn’t replace or even begin to make up for your massive loss, it does mean you’re not alone.

    You’ll get through this, Lee. xo

    • You’ve really pinpointed what’s happening. So many people I’d never considered would be there are there, and I’m still processing all of that. You certainly have been there for me. I’m an elephant in remembering kindness and compassion.

  12. This sounds like a good plan. No one would blame you if you took the rest of the year off even from IWSG. Just do what you can. The blogosphere will be here when (or if) you are ready to come back.

  13. Take all the time you need is exactly right. Finding your new normal through a morass of emotion is tiring and scary.
    Heartfelt hugs and oceans of caring. Always.

    • Hey! Thank you for the beautiful images on your blog today. You are one great photographer, and you dance a bit madly. How does that not make for a perfect life?

  14. I agree with Beverly about your taking your time. You have to do what you can handle and enjoy now. Look at how long it took me to be able to even read, let alone write. Since I already had a schedule, it made it easier to continue the blogging. But I don’t want to blog more than once a week anymore.

    • I remember your saying that you couldn’t read or write, and when I couldn’t I thought, “Well, maybe that’s natural. Natalie couldn’t either.” I’m still not writing. I’m reading magazines now. My husband always read Science News and Forbes, and he’d share all of that with me over breakfast. Now I’m reading those. His interpretation made it easier to absorb. I do miss his brilliance. Onward!

      • I did something similar. My husband read a lot of online newspapers and news sites and watched the news a lot. I was always too busy, but after he died I started reading all the news and watching to it more too. Funny how we both did that.

    • I suppose if we live long enough, we all go “there.” Thanks, Beverly. I read your post about the tribute to your father and your husband. That was very touching. They would be touched as well.

  19. Hi Lee – it’s so good of you to let us know how you’re doing … and I’m sure we understand you need to take your time and then move along as you feel you are able to. However – I’ve appreciated your communication … and know you’ll always be there – but you and your family are the most important people at the moment … the blogging world is always so understanding and supportive. Take care, relax, adjust and heal … with many thoughts – Hilary

    • I appreciate that, Hilary. This community has helped me more than I can say and certainly much more than I expected.

      I enjoyed your YARN today. Quite a colorful tale of kids and grandpa! Glad you jumped into the WEP.

  20. I know of a few other writing bloggers who also only do IWSG posts at the moment. Quality matters more than quantity, and cutting back on posts is very understandable.

  22. Hi, Cheryl-Lee!

    That Teddy Roosevelt quote about decision making is a favorite of mine. Your regular weekly posts will be missed but, clearly, you have your priorities in order. I hope you will come see me whenever possible. Although out of sight, you will not be out of mind. I recently purchased Some Very Messy Medieval Magic and gifted it to the young daughter of my next door neighbor. The girl, age 9 and an avid reader, was delighted to receive it.

    Please take good care of yourself, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!

    • Thank you so much, Shady! I’ll be by your place as always. Have to see what you have in the way of great tunes and stories. And thank you for giving SVMMM as a gift to your neighbor. That was wonderful of you.

  23. If that’s what you need to do, then do it. There’s actually quite a few people who only post for the IWSG every month, maybe one or two more. And that’s just as good, as it keeps writers connected.