Hey, everyone! Another author's note… I know it's disappointing after so long. I just wanted to let readers know that I haven't abandoned Longing. I posted an author's note nearly a year ago that explained why it has been a while since I posted. Then I deleted it because it was very personal, and I started doubting if it was a good idea to share all of it. I ended up getting embarrassed, and then I chickened out and deleted it.
I didn't think it would be this long before I posted again, and even though I deleted my previous explanation, I kind of feel like you guys deserve a little bit of one now.
The Savannah storyline, particularly the last couple of chapters, was really hard for me. I had a lot of reasons for taking it in the direction I did, but it ended up not being good for me. That led to a really massive block in my ability to finish out the storyline, even though it will be wrapped up in just one more chapter. I tried so hard to fight past that block, but trying to force it only made everything worse. It got to the point where I couldn't even look at the chapter for over a year. It didn't help that while I was trying so hard to move past the block, I ended up rewriting part of it about four times without it feeling right. I assumed that it was the right direction anyway because every time I rewrote it, it ended up being similar. It wasn't until a month or so ago that I realized why it wasn't right and came up with a new direction that is so much better.
In addition to all that, my personal life since my last chapter post has been a bit messy and chaotic. A lot has happened from moving, our house getting flooded, and a car crashing into our yard, just craziness. Not all of it has been bad, but it has been overwhelming, and that also didn't help me in trying to move past my writer's block.
Unfortunately, I have also been dealing with fairly consistent migraines, and when I don't have a migraine, I still have a headache. That makes it difficult to work on my laptop. I am finally starting to get some treatment for my headaches, but it has been hit-and-miss. We are trying something new in about a month that has helped a lot of people. Hopefully, it will help me as well.
I also went back to school because I finally figured out a major that was right for me. I have had a hell of a hard time adjusting to being a student again, especially with my headaches and everything else that has been going on. Even though I now know the right direction to finish the Savannah plot, school started up again after summer break, and the madness of that and my effort to adjust after a few months off have prevented me from being able to write like I would like to. I was doing okay, and it seemed like I was acclimated enough that I would have some free time to start writing again. Then some other stuff happened, and I am back to square one.
I still have hope that I can get back to writing soon, but for now, things are at a standstill with making progress. I have a ton of ideas for future chapters that are both ones I've had for a while and also new ones. It's just a matter of being able to write them. Unfortunately, for that to happen, I need to find some balance in a lot of areas of my life that I have not yet been able to do. I'm working on it. It's just slow-going.
As always, I appreciate your patience. Don't give up on me!