Failure

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 63 Comments



I knew from the beginning that completing the A-Z this year would be tough. Coming off a blog tour, I didn't have time to have posts pre-scheduled, so I've been writing them each night.

I also knew I'd be in the middle of edits for my next release, but I had this pollyanna idea that little fairies would arrive to help me get my work done.

Darned things were no shows. I guess they aren't lured in by dust bunnies and piles of dirty clothes. And sadly, without the fairies, there is no way I can possibly meet my editing deadline and maintain the A-Z pace. 

But it's all right. That's why they call it a challenge. The A-Z is like a marathon and only the spry and well conditioned survive. So, for all the bloggers still managing the daily grind- kudos! Be proud. It is not an easy task. 



63 comments:

  1. RenaApril 15, 2015 at 12:19 AM

    Ah nuts! Sorry to see you drop out. I loved those recipes, they were pretty awesome! Maybe you can trickle them out in the A to Z Not As Challenging blog extravaganza! Okay, I totally understand, deadlines are important, too. We'll see how much longer I last...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 20, 2015 at 2:43 PM

      You're going to make it!!

      I should keep sharing my very easy, cheater recipes. I do love easy.

      Delete
  2. Dixie@dcreliefApril 15, 2015 at 12:33 AM

    Oh and I thought you were doing 'M' with Michael Jordan quotes! Have a great week, Elizabeth!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownApril 15, 2015 at 12:47 AM

    So glad to at least have made it this far with you, and to have gotten to know you a little bit. Good luck with edits! Looking forward to hearing more about your journey as you continue along =) All the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 20, 2015 at 2:45 PM

      Thanks Anne Marie! I hope to use the time to visit those bloggers who are still amazingly getting it done!

      Delete
  4. ElizabethApril 15, 2015 at 1:38 AM

    It was nice getting to meet you through this challenge. I hope your other endeavors go smoothly! I am now going at a day-by-day pace. I ran out of pre-written posts at letter J.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 20, 2015 at 2:47 PM

      That makes it so hard. I started my daily posts at A. Totally wasn't prepared! And of course, I am never very logical about just how much time certain jobs will take (like edits...I plan on hours, it takes days)

      Delete
  5. The CrankyApril 15, 2015 at 5:05 AM

    Real life (and a deadline) has to come first; we all understand that. Hope some housework fairies pop up to lend you a hand!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 20, 2015 at 2:47 PM

      Thanks. Darned fairies never did show. They're probably union and I don't pay enough.

      Delete
  6. J.L. CampbellApril 15, 2015 at 7:54 AM

    I'm crazy to be participating, but I never could resist a challenge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 21, 2015 at 1:22 PM

      I have the utmost respect for you. I knew going in that I was insane, but wanted to at least try. It's so much fun!

      Delete
  7. JoApril 15, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    Sorry you had to drop out Liz, although obviously I understand why. I don't call it failure though. You were overwhelmed. That is not failure in any sense. Too much on you plate. Luv ya. GMD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 21, 2015 at 1:23 PM

      Luv to you too, Jo! It was just too much to do properly. I am much saner feeling now.

      Delete
  8. Chrys FeyApril 15, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    You've been writing them each night? I don't know how you do it. I've got my fingers crossed for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 21, 2015 at 1:24 PM

      I didn't do it. Writing a post a night and keeping up with comments while trying to do an edit floored me.

      Delete
  9. Alex J. CavanaughApril 15, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    If you didn't have your posts pre-written, I can definitely understand! Wow, as long as it takes me to put one together, I can't imagine doing it the night before. Not failure - you're just trying to keep your sanity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 21, 2015 at 1:26 PM

      I know...you told me to get them written,but like a bad student, I didn't do it.

      And I do need to keep what little sanity I have left.

      Delete
  10. Annalisa CrawfordApril 15, 2015 at 11:12 AM

    The edits and blog tour have to come first - the A-Z is just that fun bit you get to do after your chores! Good luck with it all :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 21, 2015 at 1:26 PM

      I missed your posts the most. I'm going to have to go back and read them all. Or perhaps you'll be making them into a novella?

      Delete
  11. Peaches LedwidgeApril 15, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    Elizabeth, yes, you were brave to try after releasing a book and doing a blog tour. I admire you for that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 21, 2015 at 1:27 PM

      Thanks Peaches. Still feels wrong to drop out, but family and sanity must come first.

      Delete
  12. Pax AsteriaeApril 15, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    I'm really sorry to see you drop out. Your posts did a lot to make me feel better while I was ill: I read them every day, even if I was awful at commenting. But edits come first and you've done phenomenally, writing each post every day AND dealing with those. I mean, you're over halfway through the alphabet! (Plus, the sneaky Michael Jordan quote for M still counts even when you're bowing out. ;) )

    You need to have a stern word with those fairies though, leaving you in the lurch like that. ;)

    Thank you for all your encouragement and kind words too. It's really meant a lot to me. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 21, 2015 at 1:28 PM

      I'll still be around to bug you Pax. You are very talented and I'm glad I stumbled onto your blog. That alone makes the challenge worth while.

      Delete
  13. Pat HattApril 15, 2015 at 12:12 PM

    Best laid plans don't always come to pass, got to the halfway mark though

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 22, 2015 at 12:26 PM

      I suppose. I need to be more realistic in my planning.

      Delete
  14. Haneen IbrahimApril 15, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    You made everything look so easy and fresh and homey and for this I say Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. cleemckenzieApril 15, 2015 at 4:46 PM

    You did GOOD! Don't short yourself. I'll miss your AtoZ posts, but I do understand. Take care. Get what needs to be done, done!

    ReplyDelete
  16. StaceyApril 15, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    I managed to pre-write Monday through Wednesday this week, but I've got to do tomorrow's tonight and that's hard. Especially since I spent this morning in the ER with my youngest. Don't feel bad - you did awesome. This is a really hard challenge for me too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 22, 2015 at 12:34 PM

      Hope you're surviving!! And I hope your little one is feeling better.

      Delete
  17. CherdoApril 16, 2015 at 12:47 AM

    Don't be so hard on yourself! Think of all the people who didn't even attempt it. It's a hard task, for sure! But the ones you did were great!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. jaybirdApril 16, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    Sorry to see you go. But life and duty calls. I am just hanging on by a thread myself.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Chemist KenApril 16, 2015 at 4:37 PM

    Hey, you made it this far, so no one can complain. Writing your books has to take priority. Take a deep breath and relax.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 25, 2015 at 6:12 PM

      Thanks Ken. You are right, the books do take the priority. And breathing and relaxing is good for the soul.

      Delete
  20. UnknownApril 16, 2015 at 8:03 PM

    Fairies were a no show for me too ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 25, 2015 at 6:15 PM

      Silly fairies. They must have lost our addresses.

      Delete
  21. Donna McDineApril 16, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    One can only do the best they can. Jeez, you have your plate full!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 25, 2015 at 6:21 PM

      It doesn't seem so full now, but during that week, it felt like an arm breaker.

      Delete
  22. Julie FlandersApril 16, 2015 at 9:01 PM

    I'm sorry to see you go but I can definitely understand. Dang those fairies. Take care and good luck with your editing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 25, 2015 at 6:23 PM

      I've been waiting on those fairies for years. Pretty sure they hate me. LOL

      Delete
  23. Sundari VenkatramanApril 17, 2015 at 3:01 AM

    So sorry to see you give up Elizabeth! I agree that it's a challenge. I couldn't complete last year as my mother fell ill and passed away mid-April. I hope to complete this year :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 25, 2015 at 6:27 PM

      That is awful. Hugs :(

      I wish you the best of luck completing this year.

      Delete
  24. Sundari VenkatramanApril 17, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    So sorry to see you give up Elizabeth! I agree that it's a challenge. I couldn't complete last year as my mother fell ill and passed away mid-April. I hope to complete this year :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownApril 17, 2015 at 3:21 AM

    Wait, so you think your career is more important than this challenge? For shame!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Shah WhartonApril 17, 2015 at 5:24 AM

    This is why I've said no to AtoZ for the past two years. Too many other responsibilities. Life and work must take precedent over fun, unfortunately. this meme is a big commitment if you have work to do, too. Take care, you made the right decision. :)

    shahwharton.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 25, 2015 at 6:32 PM

      It is far more work than just a post a day, and I don't think I have the skills to manage it all.

      Delete
  27. Robyn CampbellApril 17, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    This is why I haven't done it for two years. Just too much these days. You won though. Because you made it this far. The writing has to come first. You made the right decision. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. UnknownApril 17, 2015 at 2:51 PM

    Darn little fairies are always a no show for me too. I'm so behind in everything since I decided to self pub a short story - just one little short story. How hard could that be? It's not, but it's the 20 things that go with publishing that get you. Good luck on all your endeavors, and have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 27, 2015 at 3:35 PM

      That's what did me in too. I decided to attempt a self-published book. Knowing it's all on me has sent my OCD into overdrive.

      Delete
  29. Emily R. KingApril 17, 2015 at 4:55 PM

    I applaud you for trying! I've never done it. Just the thought exhausts me.

    I hope your edits go well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 27, 2015 at 3:35 PM

      It's a big job. I often forget just how much work it is.

      Delete
  30. angelzuzApril 19, 2015 at 4:47 AM

    Elisabeth,
    you tried anyways. And I got your comment and now I can follow your blog too.
    This is my first AZ Challenge and English is not my native language so I know, it is not easy. ..

    Angelzuz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 27, 2015 at 3:37 PM

      So glad you're following :)

      You are really challenging yourself! I'd have never guessed English wasn't your first language.

      Delete
  31. Suzy, The Grey BrunetteApril 20, 2015 at 8:15 AM

    Sorry you weren't able to complete it this year, Elizabeth but it's especially tough when you have edits to do... and a big family to organise! You're still totally awesome :D xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 27, 2015 at 3:39 PM

      Thanks Suzy!! As long as you think I'm awesome, that's all that matters :)

      Delete
  32. The Brown Recluse (TBR)April 20, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    I am SO good at starting and not finishing...but I don't normally have a good reason like you do!

    Ding-Dang Fairies.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...