Hey everyone.
I'm ending daily posting at The Bathroom
Monologues. This has been a long time coming – according to Google, I've done
at least one post per day for four years. Since May 2nd, 2009, when
I had no computer and was stranded in an airport terminal. Before that two-day break, I was posting daily going back into 2007. That makes it close to a six-year streak.
The blog isn't going away, just getting updated less than daily (I'll need to change that header). There are many factors in this. While in Baltimore last week, Blogspot borked posting my
#fridayflash and I couldn't do anything about it until noon. Two more posts had
their formatting entirely screwed despite my previewing and pruning them in
advance.
Regular readers know that health has been declining; it's amazing what your lungs can do when they don't like you anymore. There
are many days when getting to the computer is a fight, but now there will also be
just as many days when I have no access to technology to check if my stories
went up. The notion of my daily posting streak being broken by the blog
malfunctioning is more infuriating than I can express among polite company. The
people who were with me on that Friday in Baltimore
know how silly I can get over it.
This is also about writing longer fiction. There are many
nights when I've caught myself not working on short stories or novels because I
needed the time for the daily Bathroom Monologue. They seem short, but they
have an amazing way of eating time. As I struggle with what work my body allows
me to do, I've got to buckle down on novels and short stories, and God willing,
getting some of them up for sale. This ain't slacking. As evidence, here's my
task bar right now:
Seven .doc files and one .txt – though the .txt is a
shopping list and half an e-mail I owe someone. I'm working on six stories
tonight, and this missive to you.
I love this blog, and I love doing Bathroom Monologues. I'll still write them as they come to me. #fridayflash will continue, as will Lit Corner. I'm debating moving
Lit Corner to Mondays. I also want to run a third weekly feature, but need to
figure out what. And there is no reason I can't run random Bathroom Monologues
any day I want. I think I'll be posting for the rest of this week, which runs a
little counter to today's message, but oh well. Life's a lie.
There are over three million words of free fiction on this
blog. God willing, you've enjoyed some of it. I don't want to be pompous and
say, "You can enjoy the archives!" But I won't pretend that comments
popping up on old posts don't make my day. There are still stories up here that
I think no one has ever seen.
Thank you to everyone who's read even one of my stories.
Thank you if this is the first thing of mine you've ever read – though I'm also
sorry if it is, because what a crumby first impression. Thank you to the
persistent commenters, to retweeters and social media mavens that turned this
place into a traffic hub, and most of all, to the supportive friends that have
made this much work possible in degrees they don't even fathom. What would
writing be without friendship? Besides harder to promote.
Thank you. And, irony of ironies, I’ll see you tomorrow for
something else special.
I am so sorry that your body is being treacherous. And pleased that you are putting yourself towards the top of your list (finally). I will continue to visit whenever you do post - including for the 'something special' (they often are) tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteYou've been very sweet to me for a very long time. Thank you for all your support, and I'll see you tomorrow - digitally, anyway.
DeleteSorry health issues and computer problems are pulling you from your posting. I understand the time challenge though. That's why I only post two to three times a week. With all the links and images, my posts can take two hours to put together. I have enjoyed your short fiction and look forward to whatever you share with us in the future.
ReplyDeleteHow does Blogger's interface treat all those images for you, Alex? Just getting this one into this post, properly formatted, wound up being a pain. I swear it feels like a recent change in the way they handle images.
DeleteHey John. Sorry to hear that things are tough, though I think being able to devote more of your energy to your longer fiction is a very good thing.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Thanks, Peter! I'll be diligent with every drop of energy I've got.
DeleteJohn, I will echo the others in my regret that your health is not where you wish it was. I have long admired your tenacity about daily blogging--my own posts have dwindled to a ~1/week. It is a tough grind feeding the blog monster. But you are so talented, I am happy to see you dedicate yourself to stories and novels--and to taking care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed you in Baltimore. Take care, and peace...
Yes, it would have been nice to cross paths in Baltimore. Shame I was there so briefly, and so occupied with the convention and then family needs.
DeleteI imagine even doing one a week would be challenging with your very ambitious novel project; I know writing my own novels while posting every day felt Herculean some of the time. I can guarantee that for the foreseeable future I'll post more than once a week. I think it'll be at least three times per week for right now, though we'll see how honest I am.
And thank you for your kind words.
Congratulations on a great run, John. That's a record to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tony. Right now, it's difficult to imagine looking back on something that's been around for so long. It's been so present.
DeleteDear John, I'm so sorry to read of your health issues, and I wish you the absolute best in beating them. Though we've never met in person, I feel like we've gotten to know each other through blogging/writing, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Regarding the end of your daily posting schedule, really I'm just amazed that you kept it going for so long, and I congratulate you on a truly remarkable accomplishment for which there isn't any formal recognition process of which I'm aware. It makes perfect sense that you would want to devote more time to short stories and novels, and I know exactly what you mean when you tell us that writing a daily blog post takes too much time away from writing longer fiction. Heck, I can barely keep up with posting once every two weeks and still find time to work on a novel!
ReplyDeleteIn any case, rest assured that your blog's popularity shall not wane when you no longer post daily, mainly because of the high quality of everything you post here. Whether you post twice a week, three times per week, etc., we'll all be here to read.
Take good care.
Richard, you haven't overstepped at all. I'm happy to have your a blogging buddy, and you can reach out by e-mail any time you need something. Thank you for all your kind words here, and your support at other points in blogging. It's great to know you, and as you know, this blog ain't over.
DeleteJust got to keep good work coming!
No matter the reasons, John, you should be proud of your long posting streak. It's no good that failing technology and biology are the main reasons for quitting the streak, but keep your head up in that it lasted so long, and that you'll continue, if not daily. I've enjoyed quite a bit of your work, and though I don't click on the links daily to see what you wrote, when I do, you almost always leave me with a smile, which is great!
ReplyDeleteHappy to have a decent batting record for you. Thanks, Eric.
DeleteYou post, I'll read. That's the executive summary.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what would be a worse way to end such an awesome run: health issues, computer issues, or just running out of ideas. I've hit the latter before, and personally I think that would suck the most... because I'm used to external circumstances getting in my way.
You'd warned us a few months ago, that you might end the daily posts. Now the time has come. We understand, and we'll look forward to what you *can* give us!
Thanks for understanding, Larry. As far as those three cessation options: I don't know if I'd ever run out of ideas. On the train back from Baltimore I wrote drafts of six more Bathroom Monologues, and I spent most of last night on a short story. It's been years since coming up with (often nutty) ideas was my problem, and I don't know how I'd deal with a real idea drought. For me it's been being too physically, emotionally or mentally exhausted to do the real work of a writer. Doing my best to adjust to more recent limitations.
DeleteI wanted to say basically what Larry said.
ReplyDeleteI know it must feel weird to break a streak where you've been posting every day for so long, but really two to three times a week is about average. You've been doing 133% more than that.
That math checks out. Is a three-post week the average? I didn't know that.
DeleteThe internet won't be the same without the Bathroom Monologues. I have been guilty of not coming here daily but I must tell you, you have and continue to be an inspiration to me. Yours is one of the first blogs I ever read and I used to envy your talents and your popularity. I sincerely hope your health takes a turn for the better and look forward to see what's up your talented sleeve. All the best, John! ox
ReplyDeleteIt'd be nice if I could kick up my health again! Thanks for the encouragement, Cathy. You're welcome here any time.
DeleteHey John, I've always thought you were an inspiration for doing this for so long, but I don't think anyone ever expected you to keep doing so indefinitely. Congratulations on such a long streak, and thank you for all the stories. I'm sure most of us will still stick around and see what you're up to :) (PS I think that posting more than once a week is already a lot!)
ReplyDeleteIndefinitely... It might have gotten hard around whenever I died. I'd look pretty lazy then.
DeleteAnd I'll sure aim for more than once a week!
Sorry to hear that you are doing poorly. This is the first time that I've dropped by in ages. I haven't been much of a poster or a reader of friend's blogs of late. I doubt that anybody will think any less of you for NOT posting daily (though I do get the fact that it must suck to have a streak broken for reasons beyond one's control. Many thanks for all of the fine stories and soldier on, Mr. Wiswell!
ReplyDeleteHowdy, stranger! Hope nothing bad has kept you out of the blogosphere...
DeleteI'm so sorry you have health issues, and I hope blogging a bit less frequently will give you time to look after you first. You've done an amazing job to post quality posts daily for so long, I don't know anyone else who has done that.
ReplyDeleteLook after yourself and best of luck with the longer fiction.
Thanks for complimenting the quality of my quantity. That's often a big question of mine.
DeleteMaybe, some day, I'll resume daily posting and see if I can't beat that old streak.
I post to my blog 2 or 3 times a month and still feel that the time I spend thinking about what to blog would be better spent on other art/writing projects. I just don't have that much energy to spread around. I think your run of daily updates is an incredible accomplishment. I once wrote a poem every day for a year and still look back on that with pride. But I understand your reasons for cutting back, and am only sorry that health is one of them. I'm still looking forward to reading a Wiswell novel.
ReplyDeleteYou're very serious with those posts, from all I've read. I could imagine it draining a good deal from you.
DeleteAnd I am very much looking forward to sharing a Wiswell novel!
Sorry your health issues are getting worse! I know how difficult daily blogging is. I think I managed it once, years ago, when I first started blogging. I can't imagine how you did it for years and years and years - with health issues!
ReplyDeleteBut I am happy you're still blogging. Even if it's not everyday.
Yup! I'll be back in the morning with my big RAQ.
DeleteA near-six year streak?
ReplyDeleteOverachiever! :D Oh...and congratulations.
Take the time you need for you, John. And for your writing.
I don't know exactly what I've achieved, but I guess if I've achieved anything by so much content creation, then it's overachievement. Certainly hit any point of experience that Malcolm Gladwell ever pontificated about.
DeleteI'll be here to read whatever and whenever you choose to write! It's only a matter of time before I have your published works in my hot little hand and on the road to that inevitable outcome, I'll be there to support you 110%!
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to get at least some of it out there! At the very worst, figuring out the Kindle market for short stories and novelettes.
DeleteWow. I'm blown away by your near six year streak. That's an accomplishment. Take care of yourself and I'll read whatever you decide to post. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It should be up a few hours from now.
DeleteI have nothing but long-distance hugs and well wishes to share. I'm still going to be excited about whatever you post, and I look forward to purchasing those future works that'll go up for sale!
ReplyDeleteAs for health issues, I don't know the whole of it as I don't know you that well individually. I do hope that it's something that will improve with less stress, and a less demanding (more prioritized?) schedule (which I hope you get with cutting back here).
Thank you for all you share. :)
And I'll keep sharing! I'll happily reciprocate those long-distance hugs.
DeleteI may not have blogged as extensively about my health as I think, or it could have gotten buried under all the fiction. If you're curious about anything, I'm pretty open. Maybe damningly so. Drop me a line anytime, here, e-mail, or on Twitter.
Will so miss your daily stories-yours is one of my favorites to visit- but I do understand and actually stand in awe in what you have done. I struggle with three days a week. And I am sorry to hear your health is a factor.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be unable to provide them, at least in the short term. More material coming this week, I guarantee.
DeleteI'm amazed at your streak (not your streaking, that's a whole different conversation) and I wish I had time to catch more (posts, not streaking). We all come to points in our lives where we have to reprioritize. I'm just happy that the blog will stay, even if it is a little less than daily. Health and happiness to you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteMy streaking is decidedly softer and less impressive.
DeleteCongratulations on doing so well John but I think You've made a wise decision. There is not enough time in the day to do everything. I'm doing rewrites to a serial, expanding as my publisher is interested enough to see it - so I'm not flashing until I'm done with it. I think to try and divide your attention between too many things, just ends up making one frustrated and worn out.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for the future of BM I know it will had a great one. ^_^
Aww, I'm so sorry that your computer was a brat. And that you're having to stop posting daily. And that your health is doing so poorly :(
ReplyDeleteAs many others said, I will continue to read whatever new things you do post! Praying for restored health to you.
As one who does not strive to post daily, because I think it would kill me, I completely understand. (And am looking forward to getting the chance to go through your archives, actually... which I can't do while trying to keep up with your daily posts... so huzzah!)
Best of luck on your longer writings! I wish you great success on each of them.