LIFE UPDATE: Some Rambles, Some News, & a Hiatus Notice

Happy July, my dear elflings! Can you believe we’re HALWAY. THROUGH. 2020??? And wow, it’s been…something.

Today I’m coming to you with a quicky, slightly different post from the norm. I thought I’d share some life-ness, some happy little news, annnd announce that I am, indeed, going on a bit of a hiatus. Basically, I’m gonna ramble. (I guess this isn’t different from normal…)


LIFE-NESS

As I said, this year has certainly proved to be something so far. >.>

I’ve briefly mentioned before that I have a heart condition. I won’t go into all the logistics  now, but basically I have a super deformed mitral valve that makes me a bit weaker than your average Joe. As such, I’m in the high risk zone when it comes to the coronavirus. If I got it, we’re not sure my body would be able to fight it super well. SO. I’ve stayed in complete quarantine since March 13th. And if I’m being honest, I’m EXHAUSTED.

NOW. I’m not saying any of this for sympathy. Absolutely not. I just realize I don’t actually talk about my personal life a whole lot??? But you guys are my FRIENDS and are always such a support and blessing to me. And I feel like you deserve to know what’s going on in my life.

So yes. I haven’t gone anywhere since March 13th (Friday the 13th, funnily enough XD), and it’s getting to this extrovert. And it doesn’t help that there’s been half a dozen other life stresses in addition to the whole quarantine thing. Some minor annoyances, some major problems, all boiling up into a big soup of EXHAUSTION. It hasn’t been a great past 3 months, gonna be real.

I know it hasn’t been a great past 3 months for anyone, and my heart just aches for the whole world. It’s been tough, guys. I wish I could just gather you all up into one giant hug. But…of course…social distancing and all that. 😛 We’ll just have to settle for a big ol’ virtual hug, yeah?

Whew boy, life has just been tiring.

It’s definitely been hurting my creativity. I’ve been going through bouts. Some weeks I’m feeling motivated, some weeks I just want to crawl under the covers and never come out. Sadly, those latter weeks keep creeping up on me. Being stuck in the house for soooo loooong AND not sure when I’ll be able to get back to normal life is battering my creativity and overall mentality. During the second half of June I was especially feeling that all-encompassing exhaustion.

The problem with staying at home all day, for me, is that I’m a workaholic. It’s actually activities outside the home, even things like grocery shopping, that often give me a break. (Yeah, I’m a weirdo. I kinda like grocery shopping and running errands.) If I’m home, I’m going to be working. And working. Annnnd working. Because, HEY, I’m home and free all day and should totally edit and write a billion blog posts and stock up on bookstagram photos and send more queries and and and yeah. It never ends. I certainly haven’t been idle during quarantine buuuut that’s not entirely a good thing. Being as how I’m not really getting any recharge time.

I want to curve that.

It’s bad that I literally have to make myself rest and do fun things. But I do. >.> I do tend to take Sundays off and “clock out” to read or something around 8 every day, but that just hasn’t quite cut it lately.

Thus we come to…


THE HIATUS

I will indeed be taking a bit of a hiatus, mainly from this blog. But I don’t want to just not be writing blog posts, I want to take an intentional hiatus. I’ve literally started a list of “fun things to do” to force myself to actually do them. Because either I’ll slip back into workaholic mode OR accidentally spend my free time scrolling mindlessly on Pinterest and waste it. Yeah, I apparently don’t know how to have fun anymore. Eheheh. I’m so weird halp.

A few things:

  • I will still be posting a bit over on Fairy Tale Central. But we’re featuring an obscure tale this month, so the posting load is much lighter for July, which works out perfectly.

  • I won’t be posting at all on this blog EXCEPT I may be joining a blog tour for a book release. Not sure when it’s happening, but I definitely, definitely want to do it whenever the time comes because OH GRACIOUS, GUYS. This boook. Cannot wait to share it! Thankfully I already have my review for it written, so it’d be no big deal to post it for a blog tour whenever.

  • I will also be taking a semi-hiatus from Bookstagram. I say semi, because I will still be posting over there a smidge. I love Bookstagram and don’t want to disappear completely, plus there’s some fun things coming up I want to share. But I won’t be posting nearly as much as usually. Probably just once a week.

  • I’ll still be around the internets, but I’m gonna try to not just spend all day on the computer so if replies to anything are slow, or I’m not commenting on blog posts or things as much, or just in general am a bit absent for a few weeks, that’s why.

My plan is to come back to blogging by early- to mid-August.

Definitely no later than that. I can never stay away long. I love you people too much!

So yeah, I’m not dropping off the face of the earth for a month. I’ll just be semi-absent for a bit. It’ll be good for my poor mentality to have a little less pressure and more free time.


WRITING UPDATE

So what’s been going on the writing side of things?

I’ve still been plugging away at rewrites for The Nether Isle. Though it’s sloooow going. This is turning into a MAJOR rewriting project. I had hoped to have it ready for beta-readers by the fall but ahahahaha. Sadly, that won’t be happening.

My new goal is to hopefully have this round of rewrites done by October, let it rest for a while during NaNo and Christmastime, and then come back to it next year for another round of edits ‘cause it’s gonna need it. Right now I’m just working on big major changes, rewriting things, fixing plot holes, all that fun stuff. But it’s still a mess and will need a good thorough polishing before it’s ready for mortal eyes.

It’s also not helping that I keep questioning everything and adding words and now wondering if I need to completely redo it and turn it into a duology because it’s getting looong and ahem. Yeah, there’s been a couple of existential crises or so during this rewrite. BUT I think it’s actually more because, ya know, I’m trying to tackle a huge rewriting project in the middle of a pandemic. And naturally that’s going to make it a bit harder. So often when I suddenly hate my writing it’s not my writing at all, but life stresses and my own lack of motivation.

Once I finish this round of edits and take a break from it I think I’ll be able to look at it with fresh eyes and see what the next step needs to be.

Because honestly? Though it’s produced some headaches, I still love this story. I really do. I love the concept and absolutely adore the characters and I refuse to give up on them. And sometimes editing their story has been cathartic through all this—just disappearing into my little world with Karis and Jonah.

So on that note: I am planning on still working on rewrites throughout July. I’m hoping since I’ll be stepping back from other things, I’ll have more time and energy for The Nether Isle, which will be lovely.


SOME HAPPY NEWS

And while we’re on writing updates, I’ve got more news…

I’m attending virtual Realm Makers!!!

I wasn’t planning on attending Realm Makers this year (pandemic or no) and also didn’t think I’d be able to do it even when they announced they were going virtual. BUT some absolute happiness and generosity happened and IT’S HAPPENING.

Of course, it won’t even be a fraction as amazing as in-person Realm Makers BUT STILL. I’m excited! It’s so nice to have something to look forward to and it’ll be a great change of pace. Plus the classes look fabulous! Definitely psyched for a weekend full of soaking up knowledge from the greats and chatting with fellow writers.

And this is another reason I chose to take a hiatus for July. It’ll be nice to just be able to immerse in Realm Makers things without a bunch of other responsibilities tugging at me.

ALSO…

The Silmaril Awards is coming!

Not too terribly long after I return from my hiatus, the delightful Silmaril Awards will begin. *music and fanfare* I’m so excited to be a host for the second year in a row! This is such a fun blogging event celebrating all things fantasy characters. It’s basically The Oscars for literary fantasy characters. YEAH.

If you haven’t heard of this and want to know more, do check out the official website!

It’ll be starting in a couple of months so keep your eyes peeled for more info on that.


IN CONCLUSION…

That’s what’s going on with me and my plans for July!

Take a break. Enjoy Realm Makers. Get some hopefully good editing time in. And just find ways to recharge, despite being unable to leave the house.

I think it’s going to be a good month!

And I hope you guys didn’t mind my rambles. Again, none of this is to gain sympathy or anything like that! I just thought you all deserve to know what’s happening. Plus I love you all and blogging sometimes feels like sitting in a coffeeshop just chatting, which I absolutely adore. <3 And is a huge reason why I can never take too many hiatuses. I JUST LOVE YOU ALL!!!

And on that note…


LET’S TALK!

Now that’ I’ve rambled, I want to hear from YOU. What’s going on in your life? Can I pray for you about anything? Any stresses? Any joys? I want to hear it ALL!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
37 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Florid Sword
Florid Sword
July 6, 2020 9:46 AM

Aggghhhh Christine *sobs* I’m so sorry to hear how hard it’s been for you. My life has been stressful in the OPPOSITE direction (45 hour work weeks, masks, out of the house CONSTANTLY, and this introvert is Tired). So I don’t relate to your EXACT struggle, but I do entirely understand how very, very tiring the last few months have been. I’ve been so weary <3 and it’s weirdly encouraging to see everyone else’s struggles? Because we just get to talk about this via the internet and be honest and it’s encouraging to see that we aren’t alone, even at home. I doubt that made any sense, but here we are xD

Your editing project! Oh my WORD it sounds amazing and I just *sobs* I fully feel the pain of wondering about duologies. LENGTHS ARE SO WEIRD and books are so much trouble. But this story sounds so absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to hear more about it in future <3

Have a wonderful hiatus, dear, and I’ll be praying for you <3

Deborah O'Carroll
July 6, 2020 10:14 AM

I love this update so much! Thanks for sharing. I’m so sorry things have been exhausting!! D: *hugs* But so glad you’re taking a break, which you ABSOLUTELY DESERVE!! We will miss you but you totally need this break. <333 And eeeep, so excited about your editing project and I hope it goes well this month! And hope you have a good time at virtual RM and yes, the Silmaril Awards soon. 😀 HAVE A GOOD HIATUS, FRIEND!!!

Lemon Duck
July 6, 2020 1:29 PM

Awww, Christine! I will miss you (though I’ll be happy to see you at FTC! :D). But you should DEFINITELY take a break with everything going on. I’m so sorry that your stress and workload have gotten so high and I wish you well as you rest. 🙂

Good luck with it all! (and yay to Realm Makers!)

Kirsten Fichter
July 6, 2020 1:39 PM

*hugs* You of all people deserve the bestest of hiatuses. Really. Relax and have some fun! Rest and fully enjoy the break! <3 I know I’ll be only one of many people who look forward to your return!

Since I’m an introvert, it’s difficult to fully grasp the whole not-being-with-people struggle (quarantine with no well-wishers, unwanted visitors, or distant relations has been really nice XD ), but I have a severely extroverted husband who’s quick to help explain the situation. This won’t last forever! This, too, has come to pass, and pass it will. Just hang in there! I DO understand how awful it is to be confined to a house. Especially one with two screaming kids. *shrugs* But what can one do? We’re all in this together. <3

Love you!

Sarah Cnossen
July 6, 2020 1:47 PM

Awwww, take that time, girl! You NEED it! <3 We will certainly miss your adorablely lovely words ’round the internets, but GURL—rest is so important, as you know. I hope your goals go well!! And if not, no worries. They can wait a little longer.

Can’t WAIT to hear more of TNI!!!!!!!!!! And WOOOHOOOOO for Realm Makers! Sooo happy for you!!! Have a lovely July/August, m’dear! Much love! <333

Nicole Dust
July 6, 2020 8:27 PM

YAY for attending virtual Realm Makers!! But I’m so sorry to hear how hard this quarantine thing has been for you. *cries* *hugs* Honestly, all this staying-at-home is getting to me too. <3 <3 <3

I hope you have a refreshing hiatus! <3 <3 <3

Your Friendly Neighborhood INFP
Your Friendly Neighborhood INFP
July 6, 2020 11:43 PM

I’ll miss seeing your posts but I’m so glad you’re taking care of yourself!

Skye
July 7, 2020 12:35 AM

I feel for you to be an extrovert and trapped at home would be difficult, I’ve been finding it hard and I usually never want to leave.
You’ve definitely earned a break. Don’t let your workaholic tendencies get the best of you.
I hope you have a good break, and of course you’ll be missed!!
<3

Emily Grant
July 7, 2020 9:51 AM

Wow, we’re such twins we even went on hiatus at the same time without telling each other. XD

Oh man, I hadn’t even thought about the fact that you would be high-risk. I’m sorry the whole quarantine thing has been hard on you. Praying for you! <3

I've been trying to decide if I want to do virtual Realm Makers. Financially I think I'm in pretty good shape for it, but I can't make up my mind. 😆

I hope you have a lovely break, Christine! Rest up and recharge! <3

theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com

Sarah Rodecker
July 7, 2020 11:04 AM

I’m so glad you’re working on taking care of yourself, though I know it’s hard sometimes. Please do be kind to yourself and embrace this season of rest!

I’m sorry that this quarantine is so hard for you. I’m an introvert who actually has been able to go to some places and it’s still taken its toll on me, so I can only imagine how difficult it is for you. Hopefully this stupid virus will go away and you can get out soon. *shakes fist at Covid* In the meantime, I’ll be praying that you’ll be refreshed and encouraged. If you’re needing some face to face chat time in the safety of your home, feel free to reach out for a video chat.

YES!! You get to participate in RM!! I’m so happy that you can this year. Unfortunately, I’m not going to participate this year (thank goodness, or else I would be pulling my hair out from all the THINGS to do, what with SSaS coming out so soon and all. I don’t think I would have any brain cells left for RM), but I’ll be with y’all in spirit. I so love the community they’ve built around the conference!! It’s filled with so many beautiful people! I’ll definitely be missing y’all this year!

I hope your hiatus is refreshing!!!

Eleanor
Eleanor
July 8, 2020 11:42 PM

Virtual RM sounds awesome!! It’s so amazing that you’ll be going! I hope your hiatus is refreshing, relaxing, and fun <3

Sarahkey
Sarahkey
July 9, 2020 11:33 AM

Ay, I kinda agree that grocery shopping is kinda fun (as long as it doesn’t take tooo long)

I’m so so sorry to hear that quarantine has been rough, I’ll be praying for you, enjoy your hiatus and Realm Makers! <3

MovieCritic
July 10, 2020 12:08 PM

Second time commenting, and I want to let you know that you’re not alone! Two members of my family have heart conditions which makes them super high risk, so all of my family hasn’t gone anywhere since March 13th, too! Being an introvert, this hasn’t been too bad, but I am losing all of my talking and communication skills. XD I totally understand, and am wishing the best for you!! 😀

Lily
July 11, 2020 3:19 PM

Hey Christine! I’m so sorry I was late to the party!

I totally understand your situation; my sister also has underlying health conditions, which makes her at high risk for Covid. Also, it’s so weird how quarantine just makes time stand still; several times, I lost track of which day it was. But I know God is with us all. He promised to be with us, even in the difficult times.

Thanks for sharing this update. I really hope you get plenty of rest this month (and good luck with your editing! I’m cheering you on.) 🙂 *sends big hug*

Lily
July 11, 2020 8:13 PM

Hope your month is full of blessings!! 🙂

Kendra
July 13, 2020 6:58 PM

I’m always sad when one of my favorite bloggers goes on a hiatus, but I do know the importance of one. Or two. Or several. Blogging is hard, and when the rest of life is hard, too, a break is definitely in order. I congratulate you on taking a break when you need it!

I’ll be praying for you and your heart condition; also that you stay healthy and that you’re able to get out of the house soon. I’m an extrovert too, and while I appreciate some time by myself, I love to be and do things with people often, so staying home all the time is hard! XP

God bless you, Christine! We look forward to your return!

Kenzie
July 15, 2020 8:43 AM

CHRISTINE!!!! Oh my word, I am SO EXCITED for Realm Makers!!! I’m also like super nervous because I have two mentor appointments on Friday and have literally NO CLUE what to say to them (do I feed them snacks and pet them nicely???), but you know. It’s gonna be fun. XD I really really REALLy want to attend RM in-person someday, and I’m kinda lowkey hoping that if it’s in the same place as it was in 2018-2019 that I’ll be able to attend. (I have a friend who lives in upper Michigan who loves long roadtrips, so…??? XD)

And oh goodness. I know you don’t want sympathy, but I seriously am so sorry about how rough this whole pandemic must be for you. Honestly, I think I already had COVID back in January-early February, and it was….not a fun experience. Even though staying home can DEFINITELY be tiring (I was in quarantine for three months before my job opened back up), I’m so happy you’re taking the right precautions against this!!! Some people aren’t and it’s not going well. I’m praying for you, Christine!!! Hopefully you’re able to rest up and do some fun things during your hiatus!!! <333

AND OH MY GOODNESS!!!! My smol Nether Isle children!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS, YOU HAVE NO IDEA. And YESSSSSS to major rewrites. I’m currently working on the last chapter of Project Sunset, and I already KNOW that this book is going to be an absolute mess once I’m finished. But it will be MY mess and therefore I shall love it dearly. XD (we should have an editing party someday! woot! XD)

I just loved this update so so much. I haven’t been able to be on the blogosphere as much as I wanted to the last couple weeks, so this post was a wonderful way to come back!!! <333

Victoria Grace Howell
July 20, 2020 5:47 PM

I’m an introvert and all of this quarantine stuff has been getting to me and I’ve even been going out. But not getting as many hugs and masks blocking me from seeing smiles has gotten me down. After I get my edits back to my agent I’m taking a break from writing in August because I’ve had to really force myself to stay motivated through past three months too. Show yourself some love. Do something super fun. *hugs * I love you too. You’re so precious and such a blessing in my life.

Victoria Grace Howell
July 21, 2020 6:07 PM

Oh good! I’m glad July has been refreshing! I’m trying to catch up on my bloggy buddies, so I know I’m late to this post. XD What games have you been playing? 😀

Awwwww you’re so sweet! You too!