Saturday, September 1, 2012

I Hate to Say Goodbye



I hate goodbyes. Probably because I hate to cry. Not so much because I hate change. I’m a big fan of positive change, of possibility and potential, but sometimes I have to remind myself that I’ll find those three P’s beyond the good-bye that has words stuck in my throat. Now, I’ve come to another good-bye, and I’m staring at the ground, kicking at the dirt with my shoe, forcing back the tears, and trying to remember those three P’s.

I started out writing blog posts weekly for Writers Who Kill at the beginning of the year. I only knew one member of the blog group when I began, Warren Bull, who’s in the Kansas/Missouri chapter of Sisters in Crime known as Border Crimes with me. It was Warren who invited me to join WWK, and I’ll always be grateful to him for that invitation.

Now, it’s time for me to leave as a regular blogger on WWK since my life has moved into overdrive, and I need to take some pressure off for a while. It’s hard to do because all of these bloggers I didn’t know have since become my friends. I’ve had the pleasure to meet Elaine and Gloria in person at Malice Domestic this year, but I feel as if I’d met Kara, K.B., Jim, and Alyx, as well. We’ve been emailing back and forth several times a week for many months, in addition to commenting on each other’s blogs. And I will miss them all.

I have also come to know many of you who are regular followers of this blog. I think we have a lot of Guppies who read and comment on WWK, and that’s been a treat for me. Because of the way I came to mystery writing, I didn’t have a chance to be a Guppy. I spent my Great Unpublished years flailing alone. I so admire those who work hard in this program to help other writers and make opportunities for them—and the Guppies seem such a fun group! For a while, as a WWK blogger, I had the chance to feel that I was an honorary Guppy, and I’m grateful for that good fortune. I will miss all of our wonderful regular (and sometime) back bloggers, also.

I won’t just leave WWK and forget it and all of you, however. On occasion, I’ll come back for a guest post, and you’ll definitely see me sometimes still commenting on my blog pals’ posts. And I hope, if you see me at Bouchercon or anywhere else, you’ll come up and introduce yourself, so we can meet in person. So, here’s a quick smooch on the cheek, and I’m heading real fast out the door, so I don’t embarrass myself. I refuse to say good-bye, just au revoir.

10 comments:

  1. I don't know how you've juggled so much, Linda. We've been honored to have you blog with us during this year when your first award-winning book was released. Your professionalism has been a plus for this blog. Good luck on your series. Thanks, Elaine

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  2. Linda,

    Thanks for being with us. I have enjoyed reading your posts and learned from them.

    Wishing you all the best in writing and life.

    ~ Jim

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  3. But we will continue to see you elsewhere on line - right, Linda? (Or should I say "write, Linda!")?

    Looking forward to the continuation of your series...best of luck with that!

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  4. I hate good-byes, too, and am always a little teary eyed with them. So it is with saying good-bye to you as a blogger, but not as a friend. I'm looking forward to seeing you at Bouchercon and Malice again next year. I've learned much from reading your blogs.

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  5. It has been a pleasure to blog with you, Linda. I hope one day we meet in person.

    Wishing you all the best!

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  6. Thanks so much, Elaine. You have been the best blog leader. One of the reasons why WWK is such a good blog.

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  7. Jim, I will miss your dry wit and all your financial acumen that you've shared with us. I don't know about anyone else, but if I'm ever writing some financial crime, you'll be the first I'll turn to for expert advice.

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  8. DebRo! Yes. I'm not disappearing. I'll still have my blog and appear on The Stiletto Gang, Jungle Reds, and all the other places where I guest blog. But WWK was a weekly gig with lots of bloggers and many weekly emails to review each other's posts. Much as I love my fellow bloggers here, I'd hit the point where I had to give up something online so I could keep the books coming. And I'll still check in here to see how everything's going along. You'll see me around, dear friend.

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  9. Gloria, yes, we'll spend time again at Bouchercon and next year at Malice--you and Elaine and whoever else comes from WWK. I have to keep up with the chronicles of the farm and the gardens.

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  10. Kara/Kim, you know how "special" you are. (See, I fixed it.) Surely, we will meet in the flesh at some time in the future.

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