An Update On My Life....

[davewri]

Dear Mark,

I have been cautious to check in on the story status because I was afraid of finding bad news. So sorry to hear your illness. I am also dealing with some cancer related issues. The scariest thing I ever heard from my doctor was when he said he was referring me to an ONCOLOGIST.

 

I have a very rare case of Basal Cell Carcinoma where a small, neglected  Basal cell skin cancer decided to go internal and take out all the lymph nodes for my right shoulder and right arm. Surgery was four years ago and I still feel like crap.  Serious disruption of the lymph system, borderline lymphoma. Treatments and medicine have left me pretty much as you about libido, not sexually interested so much anymore.

 

When I read stories online I just skim over the sex scenes and look for the story content. Good writing and good characters don't always need hard core sex.

 

Wishing you the best and know that you have a lot of concerned readers that care about you.

 

David W.

[Netvoyager]

Mark,

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wish you all the best and  will eagerly (and patiently) await the continuation of George Granger's adventures. Please know that you have been greatly missed!

 

Thank you for hours of great reading enjoyment.

 

Jim

[ricky]

Hi Mark,

You've been missed. Sorry life sucks at the moment. Wait and the pendulum will swing back the other way again. It seems like it always does. Just not as far every time.

 

And although I enjoy the sex, you do write it well, I read it for the intrigue and the battles. You write AWESOME battles. You could always have george lose a nut to a sniper and then just turn him political and the mastermind of intrigue. It keeps the creative juices flowing, gives you someplace to escape to.

 

It's just a thought. In ANY case, so glad to hear from you. You are a amazing person.

CHeers, we're here for you. And you're one of those authors that could write the yellow pages and you would have a solid readership.

r 

[Mark Arbour]

First of all, thanks for all the nice things you said in this forum.  It always impresses me...how valuable e-friends can be. 

 

So I'm starting to pull my head out of my ass.  I'm feeling better mentally and physically, but I still have to deal with the fatigue issue, which is a royal pain in the ass.  That, and all of life's real life challenges, which tend to take up way too much time. 

 

To stimulate my writing, I'm doing something I've been wanting to do for a long time; I'm rewriting the original book (Chronicles of an Academic Predator).  The story will still be the same, but I'm trying to make it read better, and to fix some of the more annoying grammar and syntax issues.   This is to let you know that if you start getting notices that there are changes being made to that story, you'll know why.  I've only gotten 5 chapters done so far, so it will be a while before it's done, but I'll post the updates as I go.  When I'm done updating all the chapters, I'll convert it into e-book format and replace the current edition here. 

 

  Anyway, that's sparked me to do some original writing, and I've made a little progress on both CAP and the Bridgemont series, but things are still going pretty slowly.  Things are flowing in my mind, but not onto paper. 

 

So I appreciate your patience and support, and I will try to get back to my old productive self in the near future.  In the meantime, I'm spending some time with old friends (in the form of the original Chronicles story)> 

[Headstall]

First of all, thanks for all the nice things you said in this forum.  It always impresses me...how valuable e-friends can be. 

 

So I'm starting to pull my head out of my ass.  I'm feeling better mentally and physically, but I still have to deal with the fatigue issue, which is a royal pain in the ass.  That, and all of life's real life challenges, which tend to take up way too much time. 

 

To stimulate my writing, I'm doing something I've been wanting to do for a long time; I'm rewriting the original book (Chronicles of an Academic Predator).  The story will still be the same, but I'm trying to make it read better, and to fix some of the more annoying grammar and syntax issues.   This is to let you know that if you start getting notices that there are changes being made to that story, you'll know why.  I've only gotten 5 chapters done so far, so it will be a while before it's done, but I'll post the updates as I go.  When I'm done updating all the chapters, I'll convert it into e-book format and replace the current edition here. 

 

  Anyway, that's sparked me to do some original writing, and I've made a little progress on both CAP and the Bridgemont series, but things are still going pretty slowly.  Things are flowing in my mind, but not onto paper. 

 

So I appreciate your patience and support, and I will try to get back to my old productive self in the near future.  In the meantime, I'm spending some time with old friends (in the form of the original Chronicles story)> 

It sounds like a perfect way to get back into the flow. Great to hear from you Mark, and I hope you enjoy the process. Much love and respect xo

[Kitt]

Welcome back!!!We missed you.

[Canuk]

Glad to hear things moving in the right direction. Now Im back in north america, my notifications have reverted to a civilised schedule; in australia i was getting them at 2 and 3 am! So looking forward to my next mark arbour notification!

[Northern Dutch Guy]

First of all, thanks for all the nice things you said in this forum.  It always impresses me...how valuable e-friends can be. 

 

So I'm starting to pull my head out of my ass. ... which is a royal pain in the ass. 

 

 

LOL... had me laughing about that . I think only pussycats can do that... LOL.Hey just my type of humor. For you are a tiger.

Hey OMG a butt plug as big as a head being pulled out of your ass ... Mark OMG you had a really big problem. LOL. Hey just my interpretations of your words... LOL.

 

Mark really good to hear you are on your way back. And realize you can do it. Maybe with some help. BUT YOU CAN DO IT.

And if e-friends can help...

 

Love , hugs    kisses :kiss:

 

AndyG

Edited November 19, 2016 by Northern Dutch Guy

[ricky]

Need some prompts to practice with Mark?
 

Winston Carmichael Frocmortom was seen guzzling water in preparation for the winter signature snow writing festival.

[KevinD]

Hi Mark – it's been a while since I've logged onto the Forum and shame on me for not earlier sharing my thoughts and wishes for recovery of your health and "other important facets" of your life...my VERY bad!

 

I am so happy to hear that finally you finally have experienced some positive progress to share and what you're doing to further that move back to some degree of normalcy.   I have missed teasing you about short chapters/word counts and hope to soon once again twist the tigers tail – 

 

So glad to have you back!!!!!!!!!

[Masked Monkey]

Mark, as you know, none of your readers actually read the sex scenes. We simply humor you so that you will continue with your excellent writing of the parts we don't all skip over.       

[ricky]

Mark, as you know, none of your readers actually read the sex scenes. We simply humor you so that you will continue with your excellent writing of the parts we don't all skip over.       

 

Sacrilege! Heresy! 

That's all I'm saying.

Edited November 22, 2016 by ricky

[Carlotta]

Welcome back and congratulation on getting back on the saddle, I kind of know it is not easy. A few years ago you told me you were thinking about re-editing your stories after I made some remarks about the name you chose for the french characters, I told you I thought that your stories were great the way they are, but you chose a good way to get back. In the end the names do not matter, after all I am a french girl with a typical french name, Charlotte, but since the birth of the new princess in england, everybody think it is an english name. I love when write about France and Paris in particular. After all I was born and raised in Paris and lived there, I think it is a wonderful city  and would be even better without the Parisian.

[cems]

Welcome back, Mark! I'm excited about the update to "Chronicles..."  It gives me an excuse to start reading again from the beginning -- for the fourth (!) time. It's always a pleasure.

 

Take care, Mark, be well, and have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

 

(Your writing, and its ability to take me temporarily away from the more traumatic moments in life, is one of the things I'm thankful for again this year. xoxo)

Edited November 23, 2016 by cems

[Masked Monkey]

Sacrilege! Heresy! 

That's all I'm saying.

I think the word you were looking for was

Sarcasm!

[sandrewn]

Mark, I have said nothing since you started this thread. Do not take my silence as indifference to your circumstances. Know that I do care (I really do). As one of your main cheerleaders, I remain on the sidelines, always ready and waiting.

 

Till the time out is over and the game resumes.

 

Best wishes

sandrewn

[Canuk]

I am writing here as not sure where to post. Hope that your quiet, Mr Arbour, is not a sign that things not going well. Given the "upgrade" (i seem to be one of the v few that's not a fan!), I thought that i may have missed something. Anyway, hope all is well and we get to hear more from either story (tho' Grainger is my favourite).

All the best

A

[Daddydavek]

I'm hoping with the end of the school year almost upon us that Mark has no school commitments this summer so he can rest and recuperate and just maybe find some time and inspiration to write...

[JimCarter]

7 hours ago, Daddydavek said:

I'm hoping with the end of the school year almost upon us that Mark has no school commitments this summer so he can rest and recuperate and just maybe find some time and inspiration to write...

I'll second that emotion.

 

 

[Mari]

Hi Mark,  

I hope you are doing well and feeling better.  

Mari

[JimCarter]

I don't want to be another PITA that has to hear every day or so that Mark hasn't dropped off the face of the earth, but can anyone assure me that Mark hasn't fallen off the face of the earth?  Sorry if I offended anyone with my PITA worries.  😜

[methodwriter85]

3 hours ago, JimCarter said:

I don't want to be another PITA that has to hear every day or so that Mark hasn't dropped off the face of the earth, but can anyone assure me that Mark hasn't fallen off the face of the earth?  Sorry if I offended anyone with my PITA worries.  😜

 

I emailed Mark. He's doing fine, just pretty busy.

 

[JimCarter]

1 hour ago, methodwriter85 said:

 

I emailed Mark. He's doing fine, just pretty busy.

 

Thanks.

[centexhairysub]

I just wanted to touch base and let everyone know that I had a short conversation with Mark.  He is doing much better health wise but is just really busy.  He got pulled into a really big project this summer that is taking a lot of his time.  He does want everyone to know that he does have a couple of chapter completed but is waiting to start posting until he can do so on a regular basis.  He seems to be worried that this start and stop posting is bothering some.  Reading between the lines of what was said; I would expect him to start posting toward the end of summer or the first of the fall.  Can't be certain because he really did not say; but he does have a few chapters ready to go when he can get back on a regular schedule...  I am going to post this in a couple of different places so you may see it again depending on where all you read...

 

 

Thanks,

 

David F.

[impunity]

Fingers crossed for a July 4 chapter...