Monday, December 17, 2012

Can I just Stay in my Cave?

Well, reader- and writer-friends, I found out late that what was supposed to be here today wasn't ready to be here, so I was kind of left scrambling. Which is FINE. No worries!

I've been in sort of a whirlwind of getting books out and promoting books, and it's made me realize one important thing: Marketing eats up a lot of time.

I'm not sorry for my decisions, but I do miss the days when we used to be here blogging, kickin it. Discussing writerly events or world events. I value you, the friends I've made through blogging, so much.

Friday was a bad day.

Most of you know I've been in the writer's cave pushing hard to finish my new book The Truth About Letting Go before Christmas break. (It's a TTAF companion novel.)

So I've been all out of touch, and man, I've missed you guys!

Good news: I finished the first draft of TTALG, put on my running shoes and hit the trail at about 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Got home, stretched, showered and jumped in the car to get the kiddos from school.

Flipped on the NPR at about 3:15... just in time for the president's speech.

Yep, I was crying and processing and trying to get myself together by the time I had four elementary school kids--one of whom's in first grade--piling into my car.

Naturally, my oldest daughter is the duck on a june bug demanding to know What's Wrong!?!

I made up something that satisfied her.

What's the point? What's ever the point of something like this? I was raised in a house, in a family of hunters, gun owners, NRA members. I earned my Marksman First Class badge at summer camp when I was nine...

And I don't own a gun. Don't want one. Especially not while I've got children in the house.

Tru dat.
But I hear all sides. And this is not a political blog. I have no desire to wade into those waters.

I guess my point is... sometimes the writer's cave is a nice place to be. And mental illness is a terrible thing. And I hate so much what happened on Friday.

At the same time, I believe in the good in people, in the love of small communities, and in our ability to rise above this.

It's Christmas. I feel like a John Lennon song might be appropriate right now. I miss our innocence, whether or not it ever existed. It's a beautiful dream.

Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends ((hugs))~ <3

21 comments:

PK HREZO said...

Hi Leigh! I think there are very few words to describe our feelings right now. As a parent of both a 6 and 7 year old, I've pretty much been a wreck all weekend. Mental illness and firearms don't mix, and it's disturbing to ever assume they may, or overlook it. It was careless.
Regardless, my heart goes out to the family of the gunman as much as the victims. It's hit everyone so hard. My BFF and I keep texting back and forth every time we tear up, which is a lot.
On a lighter note, I agree the writer's cave is a wonderful peaceful place. Good luck with all your promo stuff!!! :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

So well said Leigh. My heart goes out to the families and to us as a nation as we struggle through these senseless tragedies.

Glad you're being productive and got your draft done.

Pat Hatt said...

Yeah awful in every way what happened there, like my cave too. And marketing is such a pain in the rump, as it does take a ton of time.

Old Kitty said...

I like my writerly cave too. It's only full of chocolate, words and hope. And cats.

Take care
x

Megan Hand said...

We're all sad. I had to shut off the news Saturday, because I couldn't get the day together. I miss our innocence, too, Leigh. The writer's cave is a wonderful place to be. I also wish, sometimes, we never had to come out. But when we do, we realize we like it outside the cave too :) Been praying for those families non-stop!

Coleen Patrick said...

I want to stay in my cave too. It's heart breaking. All I can do is send out prayers--and hug my kids.
Take care Leigh!!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Firstly, miss you too! But no worries. I know how hard you've been working at marketing. (You'll be at my site, tomorrow.)

As far as guns and such, this is not a political issue but one of the health and well-being of our Nation and its people. We must look at the greater picture. Too many of these tragedies are happening. Our way of thinking and seeing the 'real' issue must change.

Carolyn Abiad said...

You just keep doing a good job on whatever you need to do. We are always here for you.

Sandy Hook - we almost moved there fourteen years ago. We still have a few connections. Such sadness.

Anita said...

We're just all so HUMAN right now, trying to process. You're right...to the cave for me, for now.

Angela said...

Friday was just an awful day. I miss my innocence too!

Janet Johnson said...

Horrible, horrible event. Still can't process it all. But boy I've been hugging my 8, 6 and 3 yos a lot in the last couple of days.

DL Hammons said...

You can do whatever you want! Sometimes the world just doesn't make any sense!

LisaAnn said...

Thinking about you, my friend. The tragedy was devastating, but I can't even begin to imagine how much more devastated I would have been if I had kids of my own. I don't think I will be capable of understanding how hard this was for every parent to comprehend until I become a parent myself. I'm glad you were able to gather yours up and give them the kisses they deserve.

In other news, my Nook is lost in my storage shed, but I just got a new Kindle for Christmas! Guess which two books I put as #1 and #2 on my Kindle wish list??

I'm trying to decide which I should read first. Rouge's setting is calling to me so badly, but I could really go either way. Which order do you prefer, as far as your evolution as a writer is concerned? (Silly question, I know, but I would probably have a specific order in mind if I had two books out! ;))

Hope your sales are going wonderfully... Such a huge accomplishment!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I plan on staying in my cave more in 2013. That's one of the best things about the writer life and once the marketing starts it tends to go away.

Matthew MacNish said...

I just want to move my family to a cabin in the mountains and lock away the world outside.

Cherie Reich said...

I'm glad to hear you finished TTALG!

And it was so hard to hear about what happened on Friday. I ended up closing up Facebook and hunkering down with taped TV because I just didn't really want to hear about what was happening right then. So sometimes the writing cave is a wonderful place to be.

I hope you have a happy holidays!

Unknown said...

I think it was a hard few days for many people. It's natural to want to stay in a "cave" and shut out the atrocities for a while. *hugs*

Kelly Polark said...

It's been a rough couple of days. A child in our school also passed, so that compounded with the shooting had me sobbing for days. But being a teacher, I need to put on a happy face for my students and that is truly helping me get through it. I also want to have a happy holiday with my own kids. So I will pray and smile for the family times ahead of me.

LTM said...

@Megan--I couldn't even watch the news coverage. I tried, but I couldn't stop crying. :o( <3

@Carolyn--THANKS, my sweet friend! ((hugs)) Sandy Hook reminded me a lot of Spanish Fort. :P <3

@Angela--So awful. ((hugs)) <3

@Don--you can say that again. It's hard to understand. So hard. And I'm so so proud of those teachers who gave their lives for those babies. True love. True heroes. <3

@Laura--ugh, it was not a happy greeting upon coming out. :P ((hugs)) <3

RaShelle Workman said...

Leigh - Great post! You're awesome! And good job getting the first draft done. Whoot!

LTM said...

Thanks so much, RaShelle! *hugs* YOU'RE awesome. I love seeing your star shine~ :o) <3