Monday, February 3, 2014

Finding My Way Back

After The Bonding comes The Awakening, the second installment in the Strands of Pattern series. Electronic dust has accumulated on this work in progress like Canadian snow. Months passed with not a single word added.

I'm now clearing away that electronic dust. I'm working on my manuscript and again developing the Magic Muse software in which I write my story. (Sorry, Scrivener, I love you, but I require more than two windows open at once. Besides, I'm still a software developer at heart.)

Magic Muse and manuscript #2
The screenshot shows the start of one of the new chapters. You can enlarge the image and discover just how crappy my initial drafts really are.

I also intend to resume blogging, though I can commit to no set schedule. Adjusting to life alone after thirty years takes more than a few months. I'm a creature of habit and am still trying to establish a new routine.

Time is even more precious now than it was. I've had no choice but to reevaluate priorities. Sadly, my weekly Sunday Surfing posts will likely be a permanent casualty.

This journey has taken many months and it's nowhere near over. In truth, it probably never will be. But I can now say that, as slow as it may be, I am finally finding my way back. And I'm deeply grateful for all of you who have held my hand and encouraged me along the way.

39 comments:

  1. Good luck establishing a new routine! I agree, that kind of thing just doesn't happen overnight. Have fun clearing away all that electronic dust!

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    1. I'm also having to clear away some real dust too. PC drive crashed and I'm in the process of replacing it now. One reason why I love having a backup PC!

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  2. Take as much time as you need Jeff, new routines take time to adjust to. It's great that you are starting to work on your manuscript again.

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    1. It does feel good to be working on it again. I felt guilty trying earlier, but I know this is what she would want me to do.

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  3. I'm glad you've decided to pop back in Jeff. Take all the time you need and it's great that you're also getting back to writing.

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    1. Thanks, Sheena. Carving out the time to visit all my friends' blogs regularly is the next big challenge.

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  4. Good to see you! Life is a series of baby steps. I'm glad your busting out the MS again!

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    1. One baby step after another. It's not much, but it is something. :)

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  5. Glad you are writing again. Take the new routine one day at a time.

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    1. Thanks, Alex. I really do appreciate all the encouragement you've provided.

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  6. Glad you are writing, can't wait to read the next part. As for routine, do you need a routine, I think it's more interesting to live life as it comes. However, I hope things will continue to improve.

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    1. Hey, Jo. I do like spontaneity, but for me to consistently be efficient, a routine is mandatory. Maybe it's a little mild OCD? ;-)

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  7. I'll miss your Sunday surfing, but I understand. Glad you're finding your way with all this. Hugs, Jeff.

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    1. Many thanks, Melissa. In time, I may be able to get back to posting them, even if it's not an every Sunday thing.

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  8. One step at a time Jeff. And I'll look forward to seeing you whenever you pop up. No set schedule necessary.

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    1. You're a diamond, Elizabeth, and very much appreciated.

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    1. Thanks, Richard. I've changed directions on it twice already, but I think I'm finally settled on the components I want to use in the software. I really do love writing the software that helps me write my manuscripts. I'm so nerdy. ;-)

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  10. Glad you're back at it! I'll miss Sunday Surfing, but trust it'll be a worthy casualty in the greater battle to win much-coveted writing time. :)

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    1. Maybe once I've settled into a routine I can bring it back in some fashion. :) It's something I really enjoyed doing.

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  11. There he is! Ready to rock-n-roll! :D

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  12. Take all the time you need. Grief has no timetable. Hopefully, getting back into writing and blogging will help dull the pain.

    And you're right, there will never be an end to the journey. Things will never get back to normal -- but you'll eventually reach a new normal. Good luck.

    BTW, your Sunday Surfing is what prompted me to start Friday Links.

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    1. Still haven't warmed up to the idea of a "new normal" yet, but begrudging it won't stop it. It's amazing how many hills and valleys lie along the way. I am, at last, able to find some enjoyment in writing again and am grateful for that.

      It's cool knowing that I played a part in inspiring your Friday Links. Super cool, in fact. :)

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  13. Software developer, did you say? Scrivener's still hard at work trying to get Scrivener for iPad off the ground... Perhaps you could help! I don't have a Mac but I've got an iPad and I just know I'd get so much more editing done if Scrivener was on it already - easier to carry around an iPad instead of a heavy laptop!

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    1. I've not done any development for Apple products thus far, but Scrivener on the Mac has more functionality than Scrivener for Windows, which is what i have. If it weren't for the two-window limitation, I'd probably rely on Scrivener exclusively. It really is good software.

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  14. Hi Jeff,

    My friend, you shall go at your own pace. Your journey shall unfold as you see fit. I'm impressed with what you are doing. Remember, your friends are here, cheering you on.

    Kudos to you, Jeff.

    Gary

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    1. Gary, my friends from this blogging community have helped and blessed me more than they would believe. I can never thank you guys enough.

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  15. Two days late. Sorry. I was out of town and out of mind. Hey, glad you're finding your way! I never doubted it. Keep writing, keep working and keep the mind open to adjustment. And keep drinking water (yeah right! ;))

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    1. Water... Water? Oh! The clear liquid they add to carbonation and syrup to make colas. Yeah! I'm drinking plenty of water! :-) You may have been out of town, Al, but never out of mind. Awesomeness can't be forgotten.

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  16. Jeff, I was thinking about you today. I decided to take a moment and say hi and send a hug. We never can get too many hugs, imo. :-)

    I like the look of your writing program. I've tried a couple and don't like them for various reasons. Mostly because, like you, I find them limiting. I suppose it come with how a person writes but I like lots of room to have more than one window open--like research and notes section. I have a big editing project to tackle and I need room. I suspect I will hit the printer and do some physical arranging and notes. Then I've got to find a way to do the editing on the computer. This is one of those projects that smacked the crap outta me. My creative mind has been toying with ideas so I know it's time to tackle it again. I know I'll feel better once I do.

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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    1. Just when a guy really needs a hug, one comes unexpectedly. You brightened my day, Sia. Thank you.

      I may end up doing a full post on Magic Muse once I get some more functionality added and polish it up a bit. If you're still in need of a writing program when it's ready, I'll happily send you an install for it. :)

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  17. Good luck with establishing your new routine!

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Gina! I'll take all the luck I can get--so long as the luck is of the good variety.

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  18. Take as much time as you need. I have an inkling that you'll be moderately back in the swing of things some time in the future.

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    1. Your vote of confidence is reassuring, Patrick. Sometimes a fella just needs to hear that others think he's up to the challenge.

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  19. Hi Jeff, so so pleased that life seems not quite so tortuous. (Can I be secretly relieved that Sunday Surfing has stopped? Used to get distracted for hours with all those links LOL!)
    Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
    xx

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    1. I love compliments like that. But alas, that's the very reason I'm having to stop them. :) Time is at a premium these days. Hopefully, in time, I'll be able to harness a disciplined schedule to allow for them--at least on occasion. So good hearing from you!

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  20. Nice to see you back on the interwebz. :)

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