Thursday, June 04, 2009

What's on my Mind: Kindergarten & the Future of My Blog




Christian Fiction Blog turns five years next month. I am very excited, but at the same time concerned. I love this blog and the communities that have developed from it. I thank God for not just meeting, but befriending some of the brightest Christian writing talents in publishing. And then here's the rub...

Last fall I began providing publicity support to take help me with my financial shortfalls(you know my past and stuff.) The lil comp to my surprise grew. Authors, bookstores, and recording labels come to me through referrals inquiring about my services. I'm honored.

I've taken on some clients and have some potential ones on hold. My bottom line is dismal, because most of the money goes back into dues, paid services, marketing and maintenance. I thank God the blog and DGP pays for itself.

But...

I miss my friends. They don't talk or interact with me about me much now. Outside of the occasional gossip someone passes onto me regarding me I'm out my own loop.

And I didn't sign up for that. I want to take care of my child. I want to write. I want to beat this heart failure, COPD, and all the other things that robbed me of the future I thought I had. I just want peace. Pray for me.

Thanks so much for visiting here often. If you think this blog and our community has been beneficial to you, if you think the advice I give is valuable, let me know. If there are some topics, authors, features you would like for me to share more of, then let me know that, too. And if you think this blog suck rocks, then let me know. I don't have the heart for drama within my Christian sisters and brothers.

Also pray for the Laura Ling and Eula Lee family as they endure their daughter's trials in North Korea.

- Dee

4 comments:

La Monica said...

Dee,

This blog is invaluable. You've introduced me to new authors and books, as well as great happenings in the publishing/entertainment industry that I am certain I would not know of otherwise. You equip writers of all levels with great tools for success if applied, and you feed the mind with discussions on current issues.

But having said all that, what's most important is your peace. You do whatcha gotta do for your own peace of mind, body and spirit. I promise we'll be okay no matter what you ultimately decide.

Love ya!

Nedra J. Smith said...

Hi, Dee. Congratulations on your blog getting to be a "big girl." I love how you've mentioned kindergarten these past few days.

I've appreciated it the most when you posted info about all the inspirational novels out there. Since I'm not in the Christian fiction business/ministry yet, your blog is one of my main resources for finding good things to read, outside of my public library.

Recently, I was writing offline in my journal about our recent interaction (you'd left a comment on my site) and as I was writing I remembered how I found your blog back in 2007. I'd read Burney's Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man, , which led me to finding her blog. Reading her blog led me to finding Marilynn Griffith's blog, and then from Griffith's blog, I found your site.

Also, it was through your site, that I ended up finding out when a couple of Tyler Perry works were coming out. I think I actually emailed my husband a link to a video of when you posted the "Meet the Browns" trailer.

I know I'm the last person who could suggest which direction you should go in, but I do hope and pray you can have the peace you need. You have to do what's best for you, your daughter, and your health.

So, I guess to answer your question, yes, I find what you do here beneficial. But, if you were to not do it anymore, I would not forget that you exist, you know what I mean?

It's because of your posts--on those days that you do the Master's Artist posts--that I even found out there even was such a site called the Master's Artist. That's how blogs are...click here, and here, and here, and eventually--at least for me--you lose valuable devo, family, and writing time just "clicking here."

I find that there's just so much information out there, and though I'm mostly just reading, my brain can get crowded with a buzzing noise from reading all that there is out there. Yet, there's a lot of good things to hear... (Sigh.)

I imagine that your offline loved ones are missing you, too. No matter how much money may come from online efforts, I believe the offline connections are the ones who need us the most.

Yet, I don't discount the online connections. So many times I've read Burney's and Griffith's posts with tears streaming down my face--which is not cool, since I didn't discover blogs until after my personal computer died in '07. It means I am crying in public. I guess I mention this to say that in your case, you've probably got far more meaningful connections online than I have. Thank God for both online and offline connections, but you may feel better if you pick up the phone and call one of those connections, letting them know you just need them for that moment, and not for what you can do for them, or they for you.

I am so thankful for you, Dee, and for all the other folks I've encountered here on Blogger, but if any of you had to pause to tend to greater priorities, I would probably say [quietly, since I'm in a library, :-)], "More power to you."

God bless you.

--With prayer, Nedra in Virginia

Veronica Fields Johnson said...

Hey Dee, you're blog has been very valuable to me and I'm so glad that you've allowed the Lord to lead you (and bless you) over and above your expectations! Keep up the good work sis!

Unknown said...

Kiddo, God is answering your prayer for peace of mind. Don't you see. LOL

Your enthusiasm is loved by many and your passion for publicizing the who's who and what's not in the LIT and Entertainment arena is invaluable. Keep shining, and yes, reach out for a hug. Cyber world can leave us disjointed at at times.:)

Congrats on 5 years. May the next 5be even more fabulous.

Your friend in the love of media and inspiration,
Marina
www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com

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