I'll Just Work Quietly in my Little Corner of the Writing Universe, Thank You Very Much

If you've been following this blog, you know there's been a lot of controversy in the writing industry the past few weeks, especially involving racism and RWA. See Donna's earlier posts for a concise recap:

Racism Clash Last Straw for RWA?

The Fight for RWA Part II

While all this hullaballoo has been going on, I've been steadily retreating into my comfort zone--my writing space.

People say you need to have a voice, and I've been vocal about many issues involving RWA for the past several years, including sending multiple emails and a lengthy letter to the Board. All of my efforts fell on deaf ears. So I decided to make myself heard a little more clearly, if silently. By non-renewal of my membership in 2019.

Hear me now, RWA?

Time to focus my attention on other things that matter to me, namely...writing more books. I haven't exactly been doing a great job of that and it's another reason for the need to create some calmness around me so I can focus on my personal objectives.

Where I Am

I have several books that are allllmost to the point of being published, but not quite. That's where I need to invest my time and attention this year.

I also have a story that, although it's part of my series universe, takes place 50,000 years in the future. (Yes, you read that right.) Due to this, it's connection to the rest of the series is, of course, tenuous, but the underlying theme is: Who are these people and why were they forgotten for so long?

And it's an underwater SFR. And I'm not talking mermaids. Exactly...

At any rate, because of its outlier place on the series timeline and other factors that make it a bit of a wildcard (underwater SFR notwithstanding), I'm debating about publishing it in chapters here on this blog. That would also give me the advantage of adding some visuals by way of graphics. Hey, that's how Andy Weir got started with The Martian. It might be fun. Let me know what you think in comments.

This story doesn't yet have a cover--but the initial editing rounds have been done. I may go ahead and splurge to have a nice cover done, because everyone likes to see cover reveals, and because there's a (very remote) chance I'd formally publish it at some point in the future.

I'll keep you updated on that crazy scheme.

For those of you who follow me on Facebook. you may be aware that the end of 2019 brought some tragedy to my world. My sis, Bonnie, passed on December 22nd. That led to a lot of sorrow, regrets and Why Didn't I's and a bit of a black Christmas.

Then to make matters worse, while researching her obituary, I discovered my oldest sister Merrie, who has been estranged from the family for many years, had also passed. True, she had left this Earth in mid-2015 (at just about the time I attended my first and last RT Convention in Dallas) but the mental impact was that of losing two siblings in one week. It quite literally set me right on my butt, and trying to work on my WIPs at that time became an impossible dream.

The trauma of grief also contributed to my backing away from all the online dramatics and seeking refuge in my quiet corner. And here I be.

So...yes...fresh new year. Time to buck up and get down to business. Time to compartmentalize all the sadness and aggravation that came about in the last few weeks and work on positive goals.

As the characters shouted in Inherit the Stars, "Gerabunga!"

Hope your 2020 is off to a good start. Have a great week.