105 Ways to Give a Book

Back to School Blogging

I didn’t announce a summer blog break, though I pretty much took one. It’s actually just one in a series of “I didn’t” statements for the summer. A series that is weighing me down, and holding back my return to blogging.

I didn’t review the summer books I intended to cover. I didn’t really read many books, for that matter. I didn’t talk about my week in New York, even though it was wonderful. I didn’t talk about the end of PBS Booklights, even though it was terrible. I didn’t use the time to format my strategy for this blog or KidLitosphere Central. I didn’t work to get my picture book manuscript published. I didn’t announce the call for Cybils judges, even though I’m the organizer again for Fiction Picture Books. I didn’t promote KidLit Con 2010, even though I plan to go and hopefully to speak. I didn’t answer many emails or participate in many discussions. I didn’t read Mockingjay until yesterday.

I didn’t get my house in order — literally or figuratively. And to be honest, I didn’t do all that much for my mom over these months. I mean, I talked to her a lot on the phone. Visited a few times. Arranged a few medical appointments, five of which are in the next ten days at Johns Hopkins Hospital. But it’s not like I was on dedicated family medical leave.

Knowing “I didn’t” has made it harder to get back to blogging. Maybe in the same way an ice cream binge ruins a dieter’s progress or an injury derails a newbie’s exercise program. But the longer I break from writing, the harder it is to start again. And I don’t feel better for not blogging, but less tethered to the commitment of it.

As it turns out, I’m not at my best untethered. So I’ll do as the dieters, exercisers, and rehabbers do and take it one day at a time. One post at a time. As my teen and tween head back to the work of the school year, I’m getting back to the work of blogging. Because the truth for all of us is that the work is easily countered by the time hanging out with friends — whether at recess, in the halls, or online. As they headed back to school today, groaning about waking up early and anticipated homework, they also put on their coolest clothes and talked about friends. I’m doing the same with my coolest clothes (have you seen my newish template?) and talking about you, my friends. Back to blogging we go.

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12 comments:

tanita✿davis said...

:) Sounds like a plan, just taking it one moment at a time. Really - with the year you had, you needed the summer off. Welcome back.

Anamaria (bookstogether) said...

Welcome back, Pam! The hard part--the first post--is over.

Debbie - Families and Literacy said...

I think summers can be so hard, because we start them off with high hopes, kind of like at New Year's. It's difficult when we don't see things working out as well as we like, but the good thing about life is that it always moves forward! There's still time do the things we want to even after getting off track.

We're happy to see you back. :)

jama said...

Welcome back! I've missed your posts.

Colleen said...

This summer seemed to kick everyone's butt one way or the other. It's already raining and dreary out west - I think we missed summer (or it happened while we were in AK which is the same thing).

Happy to have you back, though. Cause we love you!

Kristin Levine said...

Really liked this post - I always find the end of summer bittersweet. You captured that feeling perfectly!

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Mmm yeah me too. But at least you read Mockingjay... I haven't snagged that yet. I think I'm back to blogging...

Michelle said...

One day at a time, one blog post at a time is a great place to start. Welcome back!

Abby said...

I am really wondering about the end of Booklights. I will be sad to see it go.

And yes, good idea to let go of the "I didn'ts". And welcome back! :)

Melissa said...

Aw, doesn't matter what you didn't do. We're just glad to have you back!

Suzanne Casamento said...

One day at a time is all you can do. Glad you're back! :)

Jen Robinson said...

I'm pretty much at one day at a time one post at a time re: blogging, too, Pam. I found myself trying to strategize about it: should I start with talking more about books, or about literacy, or about Kidlitosphere news and happenings? After reading your post, I'm thinking the right answer is: whichever I feel most like talking about during those few moments when I have the time. Sound good?