Some of you may have noticed I’ve been away from blogging these last few weeks, both reading and writing. The writing was because my life’s been hectic, to say the least. I’d been trying to keep up with reading, though. While I occasionally glance at the WordPress Reader feed on my commute, I usually rely on email notifications, because I’m an old person like that.
Over the last couple of weeks, my email updates have been silent. It seemed a tad odd that everyone was taking a similar hiatus to mine, but didn’t think too much on it, because I was running around like a headless chicken getting stuff done making my office run smoothly busy.
The other day, I happened to be on F***book, and I noticed a new post from someone I know I follow. That new post did not show up in my email, though. So, I went back to my Reader preferences, to make sure I was supposed to get emails for all the lovely bloggers I make sure to follow religiously. Sure enough, their settings were all correct. But, no mail-mail. As Oliver Chamberlain might say, “WTF?”
It turns out, WordPress has been working on a software update recently, making behind-the-scenes changes as software developers are wont to do. I work in IT, so I know it’s a common occurrence. And, every time this happens, there are The Lucky Ones (sarcasm here) whose service gets a bit mucked up in the process. This time, I got to be one of The Lucky Ones.
Sensing something amiss, yesterday, I sent this note to the WordPress.com Twitter:
This morning, in my Inbox were waiting more than a score of new updates, from the past two-and-a-half weeks. Needless to say, it’s going to take me some time to catch up with them, but I’m looking forward to it. Just from your post titles, you all sound like you’ve got great things to say.
As for me, I’ve continued to write, with a fresh freedom I haven’t felt in a long time. Nobody is reading this new stuff, but I honestly don’t care. Sure, attention is nice, but this writing has restored my passion for creating, molding, and expanding characters and situations. I take much more gratification in my own sense of accomplishment, in this case, whether it’s supported by the masses or not. The most fun part has been exploring more aspects of characterization and plot in this one: drama, adventure, action, romance (of a sort), adulthood and maturity (which don’t always go hand-in-hand), identity, relationships, death, wealth, drugs…a glorious mishmash of topics that have woven their way into my tale of two mercenaries.
I’ve also come up with a loose NaNo idea from all this free writing. Because, you know, I’m not busy enough.
I’m really looking forward to catching up with you all. I hope I can offer some entertainment for you, too!
Hey, good to see you! 🙂 I hadn’t seen that previous post of yours, hope things are ok. I know a few people have had problems with email notifications lately. I’ve switched to all Reader now, but I know there sometimes problems with posts not showing up in the reader either. Ah well. Glad to hear you’re getting lots of writing done anyway!
Thanks, Vanessa. It’s been hard getting my life sorted these last few months. I’m genuinely looking forward to catching up, though! And, since you were nice enough to stop in, I’ll make sure to head over to catch up on your blog right now, too!
I was away too — as you know — and was unaware of the WP problems until I came back and tried to visit my friends. Thanks for putting Musefly on your blogroll, btw, I just noticed it. 🙂
Looking forward to blogging on a regular basis and catching up to what everyone has to say. Hopefully WP will sort their arses out.
Those pesky developers…always making behind-the-scenes changes! I do hope the issues are resolved. I’m okay with the Reader, but I much prefer keeping things straight via my inbox.
Welcome back! 😀
Oh, yes, the notification problems. I even did an extra post on it, suggesting WordPress put “upgrades” on hold until they fix these problems. I doubt they read it, though. 😉 I’ve had the problem since mid-August, but I know other bloggers who have suffered even longer. I’ve now received two consecutive daily digests, so just maybe we’re seeing progress…. But I’m not holding my breath! And until the Reader lets me organize what I’ve read and not read and set a delivery schedule, it just doesn’t work for me.
I’m glad to hear your writing has taken off again and that you’re enjoying the feeling of listening to characters and setting down their words. There’s nothing quite like that feeling, is there?
Here’s to spending some time with them on what should be a very nice weekend along the Atlantic coast!
Welcome back!
I had noticed a while ago that I wasn’t getting any wordpress updates, figured I had hit some kind of limit or something. Heck, it didn’t even email me that you posted something new. Hooray for technology.
Granted, from your Fanfiction and Fictionpress accounts, it’s like you never slowed down, and if it helps you release and be happy, then I’m glad to read them, along with finishing up the comparison review. I’ll probably post up what I’m writing in class for fun and review, since my page has been silent for over a month…
Looking forward to all the new adventures and tips! Hope everything is going well for you and yours
Thanks, JM!
It’s certainly been inspiring to read the great progress you’ve been making with your own stories. Even if WP is still having brainfarts, I can always keep in the back of my mind the idea of, Take a note from JM, and don’t give up! 🙂
Some characters’ voices are stronger than others, but it truly has been great to get to knowing them – again, or for the first time.
I do think the weather has something to do with it, too. I can’t wait for the cooler days when I can cuddle under my special heated writing table with a cup of tea and just tap-tap-tap at my keyboard. 😀
Thanks, Shade!
I didn’t realize you were in class, as well as everything else. What a schedule! I’d be interested to see what you’re doing, lately, though. 🙂
Well, the Fanfiction stuff is mostly complete – I have about 20 100-word Songbirds vignettes just sitting on my harddrive waiting for upload, and I’m finishing up the last chapters of “From Hell” right now. So, it’s really just Fearless that’s demanding my critical eye. I’m still debating if that latest chapter shouldn’t start earlier, but I’ll sort that in editing, I suppose.
Not sure what tips I can offer, but I’ll definitely try to be more communicative. 🙂
I just realized: I’m in your backyard, this weekend, at Small Press Expo in Bethesda! You’ve got some lovely weather today! 😀
You are probably less than 20 miles from me. 🙂 It is gorgeous today, indeed! It can still be nasty hot and humid in September so you got lucky with the weather. Hope you’re having fun at the expo! 😀
A heated writing table? I’ve never heard of that one! I love fall weather, and I can usually write more easily at this time of year, too. I’m hoping that’s a good sign for “DOoT—The Rebuild.” 😉
Wouldn’t it be nice if we all simultaneously scheduled hiatuses? So sorry WordPress made a change that stopped your email notifications. That’s really annoying.
Oh, my gosh, I know! Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, not more stressful.