My news for May comes later than planned because computer problems prevented me from posting until now.  The disruption has been a little disorienting and caused me to reevaluate my reliance on the internet. I write about that in a more personal update for this month’s Creative Worlds newsletter.

I’ve considered for a long time the idea of moving the book extra sites I maintain as a gift for readers into the main Janalyn Voigt site, and I’ve finally decided to take the plunge.  Sorry, but that means no posts from Fantasy Worlds, Historical Worlds, or Mysterious Worlds for a couple of months while I get everything set up. I love working on the website but have to break for a bit since I’m also preparing to speak at the NCWA Renewal conference. If you’re in town, I hope you can attend.

My computer woes lasted for weeks, bringing on stress and frustration, and as a result delayed the start of the Story Circle podcast, but it shouldn’t be much longer. I now have all necessary equipment and am converting my famous closet office into a podcasting studio. Learning to podcast well has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced.  Thanks for your patience while I sort everything out.

I’ve been working to either downsize or automate important tasks.  Another of my efforts toward organizing involves putting together a binder system to help me manage the many aspects of life as a writer. I’ve never taken to using a filing cabinet. Once a folder goes in one of the drawers, it might as well have crawled into a black hole. Out of sight, out of mind. I now use my filing cabinet as an archive only.

Of course, all this organizing of papers lends itself to large piles too unruly to remain in stacks.  I have most of these corralled on a card table in the living room, but whenever someone walks by, or in the case of children, runs by, paper falls in silent drifts to the floor.

Sigh.

This month I’ll go on a writing retreat with several other writers. Uninterrupted time to write is definitely a need we all have. I’m looking forward to indulging in several serious writing marathons during that time, and of course to spending time in the company of friends. There’s nothing better than knowing you are understood by those who are a little ‘different’ like you.  Next month I’ll tell update you on my experiences while on retreat.

Meanwhile, I hope you will carve out some time for yourself also. If you have something planned and want to tell me about it, or if you just want to chat, I hope you’ll reply.