Thanks to Will, Nance, JeffR, and everyone...

I had to take a step away last night because I was quite infuriated, to say it mildly. I can't abide the notion of allowing racists to decide who we nominate as our Presidential candidate. I just can't. I lost my temper and realized that if I didn't step back, I was going to go into full nasty mode on other DUers.

That's not something I want to do.

I like posting here. My political stuff, like my fantasy, is the breath of life to me. And it warms my heart to know how well-regarded my essays are. I honestly really didn't know. I never planned to leave, just to take a break. So I didn't end up risking the granite goodbye, if you know what I mean.

To add to the stress of the campaign, I've got three fiction projects going at the same time, and a recent announcement from my publisher saying they're going to focus specifically on romance-themed fiction for a while. Now that puts the future of my next few novels in something close to limbo. I believe all good fiction should include elements of romance, as well as action, humor, and drama, but I'm not sure where they're going to be drawing the line. So I need to start really getting out there on the e-mail groups and promoting so I don't find myself either on the back burner or out in the cold entirely. Basically, I need to boost my sales and that takes a lot of time and dedication--nearly as much as writing the books in the first place.

I don't usually do New Years resolutions, but my resolution this year has been to spend more time and energy doing the promo stuff I'm supposed to be doing. :grin: That stuff really isn't all that easy for me. Yeah, I write good stuff (IMO), but it's really difficult for me to stand out there and trumpet my fiction as if it's the next best thing to sliced bread. It's part of the job, but it's the hardest part for me.

It's all a terrible balancing act, between the day job, home life, writing the novels, the promotion I have to do to sell them, and putting in my two cents here in support of what I consider to be the most important battle of our time.

I thank you all for your kind words and support. It's appreciated more than I can say. This place has been my bulwark in these most trying times, a rock where I can be where I know where I stand.

That's worth more than can be expressed in words. Even for one whose avocation is the manipulation of language.

Pardon my frustration with the tone of late. Like all of us, I take what's happening to our country, and the world, VERY seriously. And it's hard for me to sit by idle while people who should damn well know better spew poison into the wellspring of hope.

Like I said. I need to take a break. I need to step back and work on other things. But it won't be permanent. Might not even be long. But it will be.

Be nice to one another. I know it's hard right now, but try to do it anyway.

We've got an outstanding field of potential candidates. The Republicans have a bunch of crazy chickenhawks and one pandering old fool who was once a hero. Or a victim. I can't quite remember which.

The way I figure it, we're looking damn good. And don't you forget it.

Better not.

;)

:hug:

:pals:

Of course, I'm so oblivious I could have been posting in whatever thread upset you and not even have known. :silly:

I do know I'm glad you're still here though. :)

It happens to me quite a lot. I guess all of us have expectations of DU that are sometimes too high. Nuts do get in, and some people who are not nuts, but who absolutely are wrong to disagree with us, get in, and then, we get mad, or rather, I do. Thankfully, I'm never mad enough to leave DU for any length of time. Love you, kiddo. Stick around.

which I'm sure you saw. I don't read everything here, sort of a "drive by" while waiting for other computer things to happen (I build OSes and stuff, and often have to wait while the 'puters are doin their thing). Anyway, I really liked the stuff you wrote, even if I can't take the time to read it all... and thanks to Will for putting forth the effort on the retrospective and calling attention to your efforts.

Don't be gone too long...

In the end, no matter who we pick, I am hopeful that all DUers will get behind the candidate and at least vote for them, if nothing else. We've seen what complacency and petulance can do (we've always BEEN the majority party, we just have to vote like it). Let's not let it happen again for a very long time.

... but this is your best post ever.

You've spoken from the heart and, in doing so, have reminded us all where our hearts should really be right now.

"Be nice to one another. I know it's hard right now, but try to do it anyway."

Message received.

Do what you need to do - but you come home soon.

even for just a minute. Don't be a stranger.

We all should from time to time.

Rest, take care of business, and come back to us stronger and refreshed.

My Ignore list is now two dozen, up from three only 24 hours ago. I hope to achieve serenity ....ommmm......

And if that still doesn't work.....

Anyhow, be well, Mythsaje. Come back after a rest.

Hekate

all those romance writer Anne Rice wannabees..even my favorite romance writer Bertrice Small succumbed to the fantasy/romance genre for a bit (bleh)

Nope, I do not like it. And believe me I have TRIED very hard...I guess I am a true historical romance fan. Give me a Scot or Irishman..,ANYWAY

Glad you decided to stay on

My only complaint about any of it is that, like epic fantasy, it tends toward literary cannabilism... it's not true of ALL of it, but some of the paranormal and fantasy romance blends together entirely too well no matter WHO'S writing it. All quite incestuous, really. I'm a fantasy author first and foremost.

And Anne Rice is one of MY inspirations--not that you can tell from my novels, really. My wife winces every time I say that, because she can't stand Anne Rice. LOL

:shrug:

It just seems like the minute Anne decided to pack it up and find jaysuz after Stan died that EVERY bad writer in the world started writing vampire romance, trying desperately to recreate the vampire Lestat in their own words...Shudder

I hope Anne comes to her senses after she has whatever mourning period she needs. I loved her writing as well. She was perverse, funny, and had a great way of humanizing her characters. Time to go re-read the Sleeping Beauty series (yeah I own them)


And as far a Bertrice...I have read every single thing she has written...starting with Adora. We love great words that describe soft porn, and food...alot :)

a ready smile and thick skin is definitely needed here
rec 1

Thanks. And please return when you are ready (hopefully soon).

then get on back here!

We miss you, even if it's only going to be a short hiatus. Do what you need to do, and return to the fray refreshed.

You're one of the reasons I hang around this place.