Time Passages

Recently I was asked why I’m closing down the Sparkling Book Reviews blog site. That’s a very good question. I mean, I have several hundred followers and subscribers, and I get requests all the time from authors who want reviews and/or spotlights. So why close down a seemingly successful site? The easy answer is time. The harder answer is…time.

You see, I have two blogs: the Sparkling site and my personal author website where I have a blog about all things author-ish. Coming up with two daily blogs along with double Facebook pages, double email accounts, double postings, double the money spent on the sites, and more has become onerous. Plus, I have all those books to read and review. Plus, my own writing. Plus, life outside… It all boils down to time. 

I am not quitting blogging. I’m just condensing and moving things around. I will continue to blog on my personal site and pages and continue to review and spotlight authors there, but having just one site will offer me the opportunity to maybe breathe a little. I don’t often get the chance to check out other author sites and maybe I can now. Or maybe I can finish that crochet project that’s been sitting on my table staring at me. Or write my next book. Or just watch the world go by. I haven’t done that in a long time. 

Some people may call it burnout, and maybe that’s what it is. There is so much to take care of when you’re an author—you need to tweet, FaceBook, BlueSky, Instagram, InstaBook, etc. Sometimes it all just becomes overwhelming. Plus, I’m not getting any younger! (Who is, besides Dorian Grey?) I am into my seventh decade and want time to enjoy friends and family more. I recently had a health scare (I’m okay) and took a hard look at my life as it is now. My husband and I moved into a retirement community and other residents are often inviting me to join them in this or that activity, and maybe now I can.

So why am I closing down a popular site? To give myself time. Something that is slipping away faster than I want. I will still be around, just at a different spot. I’m not quitting completely, just stepping back to take a breath – something we all need to do once in a while. Meanwhile, it’s a beautiful fall day outside. Think I’ll go take a walk. How ‘bout you? 

(Note: this article first appeared on the WordWrangler’s site on October 30)