Return of the jerk

[C James]

I can only offer my sincere and abject apologies for my vanishing act. I was spending far too much time online (and writing) and it was hurting my career. So, coupled with a case of writing burnout after Circumnavigation (which was nearly 100 chapters, and was often hard to get the chapters out in a timely manner) I had to retreat from the online world. I didn't even fully realize why I was doing it at the time, it was a compulsion, and it did save me financially. I'm fine now, but it was a bit hectic for a long time. 

 

What there is no excuse for is me not returning occasionally. I am deeply sorry, and I apologize.  

 

I am working on a story, just a few chapters so far, but it feels good to be writing again. I'll also be answering the posts I see in other threads in the forum  (thanks!) and also a lot of PMs I have waiting, during coming days.

 

 

[Graeme]

Welcome back 

[Leo C]

Dearest goat

 

You are very much forgiven! Circumnavigation was an epic accomplishment and I can easily see how it could take over your life. Good for you that you were able to break away for a while, even if you were missed. I am very much looking forward to read something new from your hand and mind. 

[Valkyrie]

I can absolutely see how writing Circumnavigation could cause burnout.  It's such an intense story.  Welcome back, and I'm looking forward to reading your new work  

[Will Hawkins]

First a little background about me, not because I am conceited (ha), but to give you my Bonus Fides for comments. I am an old, retired Community College Instructor, who, for financial reasons is living out the waning years of my life in the wilds of Bahia, Brazil. To keep my mind active, I have been reading series stories on GA, and, from time to time making comments on them. At this point do not recall how I got started with 'Circumnavigation' but it has been one of the highlights of my declining years. Begining with southeast coastal Florida in which I lived as a teenager (Hollywood Beach) , then Lisbon, with which I am familiar as my partner is Portuguese born and we toured that country from one end to the other at one time, then Australia, though my familiarity with the Northwest of that country is limited, I did tour much of the East Coast from Sidney to Cairns with the Seattle Men's Chorus at one time and finally, but not the least with the North Island of New Zealand o that same tour. All of your story that touches on each of those areas is so true to my experiences in those locations, it is like going home.

I have nothing but good things to say about Circumnavigation. Thank you for lightening my isolation here by carrying me back to those locations.

Misterwill

[impunity]

Glad to hear you've resolved your difficulties. Looking forward to the new story, whenever you decide to publish it. 

[Defiance19]

Welcome back!! 

[Daddydavek]

Remember folks, this is a crafty old goat known for his cliffies...

[jfalkon]

Great to have you back!

I can completely relate.  There have been times when I would barely look at the site for months because there was just too much to do in the real world and I do like to get at least a few hours of sleep every night.  I don't think you have anything to apologize for.

[wildone]

Ah, you came back on my Birthday

 

LOL, so it was a couple of hours early

 

Glad to hear you you are okay. 

 

 

[Slytherin]

Welcome back  

[deville]

Welcome back, better later than never. 

[A.J.]

Welcome back!

[Renee Stevens]

Welcome back, CJ!

[sandrewn]

It sounds to me like your extended walk-about, was a necessity. Your return is the proof of it, no more needs to be said. Welcome back, glad to see you. How do you like all the changes, it'll grow on you.

 

Our vigil is over, the 'goat' is back.

 

 

sandrewn

[Red_A]

Welcome back, I Missed you.

[Krista]

Welcome back Cj!

 

 

And aww... I can't think of good goat joke right now..  

Edited September 28, 2017 by Krista

[Myr]

Welcome back! We've all missed you. 

[TalonRider]

Welcome back, my friend.

[C James]

Thank you, thank you all so much. To be honest, I was expecting (and couldn't very well object ) some righteous flames for my vanishing act. I have been in contact with some here during my hiatus, and should have at least asked if they'd post a message here for me (my usual browser doesn't work with GA software, so I had to install a different one before I could log in) but I didn't. Sorry.  

 

But, I'm back... and yep, writing has begun again. I very sporadically wrote a bit during my hiatus, but it was piecemeal, often on a laptop during free time such as waiting for a plane, but I didn't get very far. Even when I did have free time, I found it hard to concentrate (working long hours didn't help). But, it's moving again, so there will be a story coming soon. It's called "Going Sideways" and barely exists yet, just a few chapters, but it does exist. I'll be reaching out to all of our old team members very soon.

 

What can I say about the story? Hrmmm. I'm not really sure what I can say for fear of spoilers, but it's both adventure and interpersonal, plus I do my usual thing of trying to make it as realistic and accurate in the details as possible. Oh, and, of course, like all my stories, I go to great lengths to keep it utterly and entirely cliffhanger-free, guaranteed!

 

 CJ  

[wildone]

19 hours ago, C James said:

I go to great lengths to keep it utterly and entirely cliffhanger-free, guaranteed!

 

 CJ  

Once again, what is a great length for the few ( let's be serious, only you  ) is not a great length to the rest.  A micrometer is exactly that, 0.000039 of an inch. 

[TalonRider]

He's actually just finished his greatest cliffhanger, by returning.

[Anubis]

Welcome back! Glad to see you were able to disconnect for a while and take a breather. Now that you're back it looks like I am going to have to go dig out and dust off my climbing gear so I can handle all those cliffs you seem to wind up on -- at no fault of your own, obviously. 

[KevinD]

Welcome back CJ - And we already have a cliffy, waiting for your new story’s first chapter post!  😬

How appropriate that you have a cliffy without anyone being in danger - 😳

 

Though you have been gone for a while I was able to compensate (somewhat) by re-reading your stories hoping/knowing that someday, you would be back entertaining us once again - thank you, thank you, thank you… 😉

 

 

Edited October 23, 2017 by KevinD
Clarity

[C James]

I'm ashamed to see it's been over 4 months since I returned, and this is my first visit since. I'm so sorry. I'll be back more often from now on. 

 

I have actually been writing (though with glacial slowness) and finally have a few chapters. I'm only now at where I thought I'd be in October, and starting to reach out to team members (Frankly, I wouldn't blame them if they told me to shove it, seeing as how I've been so remiss) but it's starting to come together now, at last. 

 

And... Wildone, shame on you for disparaging me so; you know I'd never, ever, even come close to a cliffy! And oh no, I can't seem to find my most-used emotion, the angel-halo one, but I'm innocent, I tell, ya, innocent! 

 

@ Tallonrider; even I'll admit that my vanishing act was so bad as to be almost a cliffy! 

 

@ Anubis; no need for climbing gear. As I'm sure anyone will tell you, I'd never, ever, go anywhere near a cliff or a cliffhanger. <Innocent look>

 

@ KevinD

It shouldn't be too much longer before I can post. (meaning, months) because I need to complete most of it first. One reason is plot; minor changes may need to be made to early chapters, depending on how later ones shake out. The other reason, to be honest, is fairness; it would be wrong of me to post anything unless I am 100% sure I'll finish it in a timely manner, and given my absences, the only way I can be certain is to have it already done. 

 

And, to one and all, as a sign (as well as a test) of whether my long hiatus is at an end, expect me to drip back by within a week.