Hi all -- After all the crabbing I've done on these forums, about wanting personal relationships -- now that I'm seeing results, I'm so busy, I can't always respond in the way I think is right!

I've PM'ed and gone to chat (well, at least 2ce), and did my best to be a good member of the community, responding when people posted just to show interest and support.

Now I have a big freelance assignment on a very tight deadline. So I've got to crank out a lot of work in a short time. I've been using the forums and emails as a way to indulge my writing jones -- and now that people are finally getting to know me -- I'm less available.

And boy do I recognize this pattern. This is exactly what happened in the life that went all to heck in 2003. I devoted myself to work, beloved, dogs, homes, in exactly that order. Let longstanding friendships go to pot and didn't cultivate new ones. So when I lost all four of the things I valued, there I was all alone -- with no one to support me. Hmm, I guess I better pay attention to my own object lesson -- and try to create a balance between work and the rest of my needs. So much of my identity is wrapped up with my writing. Too much. Who am I without it?

At any rate, if I'm less present for anyone, this is why.