Sunday 9 January 2011

Time out

Help! I'm drowning!
Once again, the joys of blogging, facebook and twitter have become too time-consuming. I'll be temporarily taking some timeout to spend my limited writing time more productively.

I've several writing projects on the go, one of which is an on-line creative writing course. I also have a new novel to write. These projects need my focused attention. Life's Obligations, too, need attention.

I'll occasionally visit Blogland and its neighbours, Twitter and Facebook,  when I have breathing space or news to share. 

In the meantime, here are some blog archives which may be of interest:
Writing Tips, including my popular series on Punctuation
Writing Progress
South African Snippets
Book Reviews
Travel Talk

Please browse the sidebar and enjoy your visit! I'll be back as soon as I can!

Image Source (Please contact me for copyright issues)

23 comments:

septembermom said...

Judy, you know that I'll miss you, but I wish you all the best in everything you undertake. Thanks for all the links. I look forward to traveling around and learning from your friends here in bloggyland.

As I sit here looking at my snowy deck, I wonder what lovely beauty you see from your window right now? Do I sound jealous a bit?

CA Heaven said...

I see what you mean. I've skipped Facebook al together (it's mostly boring shit-chat anyway), and rarely log into twitter. Blogger on the other hand ... >:)

An online creative writing course, that might be something for me. Will check it out.

Good luck with your writing >:)

Cold As Heaven

Judith Mercado said...

Breathing space is good. Good luck refilling your lungs.
Judy

Bish Denham said...

It's a good thing you do Judy. Take your time and have fun!

Nancy J. Parra said...

Hi Judy, Have fun writing. Will miss you but keep you in my thoughts and near my heart. cheers~

Marilyn Brant said...

Judy, I totally understand the need to unplug for awhile! Susan Elizabeth Phillips always says to "protect the work," and I think that means putting on hold anything that's too distracting but not essential... Will enjoy seeing your thoughtful comments whenever you're able to resurface ;).

Damaria said...

I'll miss you Judy, but I also understand. Being plugged into sssocial media can be distracting and not too good for creative writing.

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

Hello all, thanks for your good wishes. When I can squeeze some spare time out, I’ll try to visit your blogs, just to keep in touch. My hiatus is mainly intended to take the pressure off me finding something to blog/tweet or FB about! And now on to your comments:
KELLY: Today we had glorious sunshine...after weeks of rain. I’m so damp, I’m beginning to feel like Dr Doolittle – able to talk to the ducks! Good luck with your 4, and with your writing as well!

COLD: The on-line creative writing course I’m doing is SO worth it (more than my MA was); wish I’d done it years ago. It’s run by two local authors, but I’ll send you some info offline about an academy for on-line writing courses in the US which may interest you. Good luck with your novel and your writing (it *is* worth it; keep going!)

JUDY : Very well done on your latest publications; I can only hope my blogging break is as productive!

BISH: Good luck with the rest of your mentorship course; hope you get a lot out of it.

NANCY: Will miss you too, Nancy – good luck with the rest of your MFA, and your latest novels!

MARILYN: I *love* that phrase from Susan Elizabeth Phillips! That’s exactly what I’m trying to do: cut back to the only essential thing which is, of course, the writing. When I’ve caught my breath, I’ll re-surface and be rejuvenated! Good luck with your writing.

DAMARIA: Wishing you a fantastic 2011! As I have a *very* short attention span, I’m easily distracted (Husband on the other hand, is dauntingly focused!), which is why I’m unplugging until I can get the first draft of this new novel done. It’s really been buzzing in my mind and I must write it before I lose it! Good luck with all your work this year – hope it’s a bright year all the way!

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Happy break!

Robyn Campbell said...

Enjoy your writing and your beautiful South African scenery, which has GOT to hold tons of inspiration. I'm knee deep in snow, but will be going horseback riding this very day.

I love you. Christopher loves you. Sending hugs to all. (Especially Theodorable.)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Judy .. all the best with your goals - it'll be good to have you around, even though I've only just got here! Look after yourself .. and have a wonderful year ahead .. cheers Hilary

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

KRISTEN: Thanks! I’m hoping I can at least catch my breath before I sink under the floodwaters again…!

ROBYN: Plenty inspiration in this wonderful country of mine! :) Hope your snowy horse riding was fun! (the thought of which terrifies me, although it shouldn’t as my Dad’s grandparents bred & raced horses at Turfontein Racecourse in the ‘30’s!) Sending mega-big hugs to your Christopher!! (((HUGS)))

HILARY: So sorry to “desert” when you’ve just arrived, but I do hope I’ll be back very soon. I just *have* to try and focus on my writing this year! Do hope your Mom is keeping as well as can be and that 2011 is a fabulous year for you! :)

Helen Ginger said...

I wish you writing progress and success. When you come back, we'll come back.

Unknown said...

I've been regulating my time online so I have more ME time so I completely get it! Take your time - we'll be here waiting!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Best,
Li
@LaLicenciada
@HerDeepThoughts

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

HELEN: I hope to be back sooner rather than later. Thanks for the good wishes and good luck wih your writing year! I'll pop in and catch up on your usual great blogging when I can :)

LI: Your blog is lovely, so it's a pleasure to visit. I'll try not to keep everyone waiting too long before I return to blogging. :)

Paul Greci said...

I hope you have some productive writing time!!

Sarah Laurence said...

Have a wonderful time on your course! It was so nice to connect with you. Sorry not to visit sooner but we've been digging out from a lot of snow. Nice to warm up here.

Anita said...

Good for you! P.S. I love the elephant photo...will share with kiddos.

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

PAUL: Thanks! One of my goals for this year is to have at least the first draft of my next novel completed.

SARAH: The writing course is proving quite challenging, but fun! Hope your snow is melting; we're having wet and cold weather which is a relief from the heat (although there are flood warnings, so I hope we don't end up like Australia!)

ANITA: The ellie camp was such fun. All orphans from Zimbabwe, and two of the orphans have had the first baby (which was SO adorable - I should put some photos up on Facebook: a happy ending, as they're now a family herd! Hope you're swimming along (get it? get it?) and that the kiddos and Colonel are all well! :)

LARCHMONT said...

Sounds like we both took (or are in the middle of taking) breaks, though you were far more responsible about it and let your readers know in advance. In my defense, I didn't know I'd be gone so long! Thank you for your comment (as always!). Hope that you're back soon, but take your time working on all the projects you have going on!

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Judy.
Thank you for visiting Helen's blog today and leaving a comment about world building, character driven...I appreciate it.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Anita said...

Just thinking of you! I hope you're getting tons done!

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

SAMUEL: It was more a sense of drowning rather than responsibility. I’m trying to pop into Blog Land when I can (on a much reduced basis) as cold turkey withdrawal was a bit much for me!

NANCY: My pleasure. The fantasy world in your book looks interesting

ANITA: Thinking of you too! *waves* I’m amazed at how much time I have to actually work when I cut down on my ‘net time!