Mark

I  worried it was the first. I presumed it was the second. Strange as it may sound, I am glad it is the third.

The first is out of ones control as life goes on with or without us. The second is I think for you a good thing. It fills your time, Gives your life meaning and purpose, you know you are alive and kicking.

The third (your muse), will I am sure return you to us. You have your health. You have a meaningful life (family & work). With time, I have faith you will return to us.

Sandrewn

Fair winds and following seas

Mark, thank you for the update. I know very well (quite personally in fact) how stressful some academic periods can get and how energy must be shifted from one side to the other to come up with papers, life etc. I really admire your writing skills and have no doubt that in due time you'll find again the way back to your writing for us.

Just a joke: a publisher I work with is based on the "Schlüterstraße" (Schluter-street) in Hamburg (Germany). I have now lots to deal with him, so I keep being reminded of our Californian family.

Take good care of life! Best regards,

JA

We creative (and academic) types go through these funks.  For most of us, though, no one notices and the absence of our words is inconsequential to most.  But for wonderful writers like you, Mark, the absence in the lives of others is profound.  Take our collective concern regarding your absence as a deep sign of respect for the art that enriches our lives.  Enjoy your break!  Until that time when our pleasure centers will be titillated again .... ;-)

It's great to hear from you, Mark, and know that it isn't a health thing that's keeping you away. I hope that things calm down for you soon and that you can meet with a bit more leisure. I'm using this time productively to re-read the Bridgemont series...hopefully all your other readers take the time to go back and savor what you've already done as well!

Thanks for the update.  

Now get your shit together and start writing whenever you get a minute!

Please, pretty please!

Your devoted fans

including this old fart.

DDK

You were gone? Ah... that's where all that free time I had came from...

Thanks for updating us, Mark. I have no sage advice nor will I make a lame attempt to motivate. Just know that I will be one of the many who will wait as long as it takes. Cheers... Gary

I'm glad to know you are well. We sometimes forget that favorite authors have lives outside GA and that they are human. We'll be here when you are ready and able to write again. In the meanwhile do what is necessary for yourself.

You were gone? Ah... that's where all that free time I had came from...

Seriously...

You did warn us that there would be some delays - so, whilst missing both stories, 

I was not unduly worried.

I am delighted to read that you are well and look forward to the next chapters of both stories - in due course.

I have enjoyed reading all your stories - you are one of the most accomplished authors and I sincerely thank you for sharing your writings with us all.

Life happens to all of us.

Thank you for all that you have given us so far. Tons and tons of high quality writing has taken a big chunk out of your time and we do appreciate that.

Good to know that it's not a health issue.

As a retired academic, I can certainly understand and sympathize with your situation.  There were times when the ideas just didn't come and I couldn't stand to sit at my desk and stare at a computer screen that stubbornly refused to fill itself with the words I needed.   I hope your Muse returns soon.  Meanwhile, best wishes!  -Oz

G'day Mark

I am so happy that your health is mostly OK

I have been checking for story updates  by you several times a day

Should have checked this Blog more oftern

Miss your writings and look forward when you are feeling that you can start writing again

It will help this little aussie in a remote part of Australia feel less remote

Thank you Mark

OK - While I understand life happens and sometimes writing just does not, I think it is time we rustle up a posse and go out and find Marks muse and return it to him!

Who is with me?

Mark,

I'm very sorry that your not in the mood to write. I really miss the regular updates for Bridgemont; I think that it is a great sorry. I look forward to regular updates, I hope that they are sooner rather than later! Thank you for hours of fantastic reading enjoyment!

Jim

I have come to the conclusion that our beloved George has been lost at sea.  He couldn't possibly have carried enough provisions on board to last this long.

R.I. P. George

I have several points to make. 1. Of all the authors on GA I enjoy your writing the most. I guess for two reasons, it is a great pleasure for me to read chapter after chapter of an author's work without being drowned in grammatical errors, and 2. By connecting your characters with historical events, you increase my interest (frequently in eras with which I should be familiar as I am old enough ((especially in reading the CAP series)) that I was alive during those periods. (No. not the Bridgemont series, but that does cover periods taken from a history of my ancestors, and therefore draws me in). Time after time I say "Self, you remember those events." and I rush to Google to renew my recollection of that event. It is probably because JP is a historian that he finds himself in a place at the time of some event of import in world history. Whatever the reason, it makes reading your work the top event of my day.
You have mentioned that your health is good and I praise god that is so and wish you continued best possible health. I am looking forward to many hours of top-notch reading as your stories flow from your fingers through your computer screen and onto the net! . . . misterwill