A few weeks months ago, I replied to a comment that Cheryl left on one of my If Having a Beer posts. In that reply, I added that I thought I had found my one-liner for the upcoming Wednesday. Then something better came along. That happens a lot. I get an idea for a post, something better comes along and the next thing I know, the idea I had is no longer valid because it was relative to the time when I had it.

This particular idea is one that hasn’t become irrelevant. In fact, it may be slightly more relevant due to the fact that winter is rolling in.

I am currently working on a new novel, while maintaining my blog. Both of those are writing, which I do enjoy. But, I’ll be scaling back on my blog for a few weeks. I’ll substitute reading some of the books that are in/on my TBR pile (which is about to fall over). Reading is something else I enjoy.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, and would like to join in on the fun, you can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

75 responses to “This Isn’t Work — 1LinerWeds”

  1. Best of luck ,Dan , and adventure writing !

    Liked by 1 person

  2. That’s probably why I moved to YouTube and pushed my blog aside. I love blogging, but I write professionally as well and I write a lot (that doesn’t translate into earning a lot). So I was looking for an alternative to channel my creativity. Now, I’m a bit saturated with it, plus I also realized that being in front of the camera isn’t my thing. I’m not shy, but I get very conscious when the camera is focused on me. I can’t type at my normal speed if someone is observing me typing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve seen your videos, Sharukh, They are quite good. One of the things I hope to do is to make a few Shorts for YouTube and Reels for Instagram from the promo material I have for my books. I don’t like being in videos, but I like how some Shorts get a lot of visits.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I would say ‘good’ is a relative word here because I aspire to be on a certain level in terms of videography, but I’m nowhere close. I would not say I’m bad because YouTube was initially Sarah’s baby. However, she wasn’t getting the momentum required which is when I stepped in and the channel grew but not to my expectations. Plus, for me making a video is a 15-day task which is a tough thing to do when I’m busy with my client’s writing deadline. This means fewer videos. YouTube Shorts is a better option than Instagram Reels at least in my opinion but you never know what works for you.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Wow, that bluejay photo is incredible. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was so happy it wasn’t the normal blue blur I get, They are so fast.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. They are. We just recently,saw one here but no chance for a photo 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Some great water pictures here! Huey, Dewey and Louie surprised a laugh out of me. I think you touched on one of the mysteries of writing: it’s work and it’s not work. I too enjoy writing, but I can’t explain why; it can seem so pointless. I think you are wise to take this break and shift gears a bit. Good luck with that TBR pile!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Maureen. It’s funny how things can start to feel like work and then no longer be enjoyable. I enjoy reading, too, so it should be a nice period of going slow. As soon as I saw those three ducks, that’s where my head went. Cartoons made an impact on me ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Which just goes to show that you’ve always lived a literary life.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Happy reading! My TBR pile is leaning like the tower of Pisa. I never feel like reading is work. It’s my treat. If I complete a certain amount on my WIP, I get to read, if I clean the house, I get to read etc. Your squirrel friends are so cute.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reading is a treat, Darlene. I need to reward myself more often.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I’ve always accepted Smoky the black squirrel as replacement for out of season bunnies… but I have to say I’m leaning towards mailbox squirrel now. That little guy has Moxie.
    😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The porch squirrels will certainly be with us all winter. It’s a rare sight, but Smokey has been known to climb up on the mailbox.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Great news! All the best with your writing and reading. Lovely photos as always. That squirrel on the mailbox…wow, he seems very well fed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Suzette. I have to be careful about what I say about that squirrel. Some go the gather and bury route. Some go with packing on a little winter weight. Whatever works, we love seeing them.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Ginger Salvatore Avatar
    Ginger Salvatore

    Accomplishing what has to be done and what we want to do Is a challenge for sure. Somehow we all seem to muddle through.

    The front porch beggars are just too cute for their own good. Pretty soon there will be a squirrel on every post, including the mailbox!

    Love Huey, Dewey and Louie. The shot of the blue jay is terrific. I love watching them dive bomb for the peanuts in our backyard.

    The early morning photos of sunrise and reflections in the river are great.

    Old Glory looking proud as she can be.

    Happy Hump Day Dan. Hope the rest of the week is a breeze for you and the Editor. Ginger

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Ginger. It’s been a busy week, but everything is quiet now. Except for the beggars in the yard.

      I love seeing the ducks, although when they enter the water, I get a chill.

      I normally get a curved blue blur when the bluejays go after the peanuts. They are so fast, and they come out of nowhere.

      I hope you have a good rest of the week, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. How do you have time to write a book AND keep up with all the challenges! You have far more energy than I.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t always have time, GP. I was a little disappointed when I realized that some of the doors I featured this fall were historic doors that had a documented story. I hadn’t had time to look for that. Oh well, nothing says I can’t go back to them.

      I’m looking forward to taking it slow for a while. This challenge is easy, and I might rerun some old SoCS posts during the holidays. Things slow down out here anyway.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. We need slow sometimes!!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Lovely post. Hope you have fun catching up on things. The blue jay photo is a winner.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sherry. That photo was pure luck. They dive down from our neighbor’s tree and are gone in a flash.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I know how camera shy blue jays are.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Supplicant squirrels, good ole Smoky, and a blue jay marauder. What could be better? Happy reading!

    Like

  12. I so get it, Dan. Enjoy the diversion. And your holidays. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Cheryl. It’s all a balancing act.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Fabulous photos, Dan. Enjoy your “down time” and never worry about your blog friends. We’ll all be here when you return. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Gwen. I don’t think I’ll disappear completely, but short posts and maybe a rerun.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. The very best of luck with your new novel, Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I know how you feel about the TBR stack as mine is getting rather tall as well. Best of luck with the new novel!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Deborah. I hope to whittle that pile down a bit.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. You blog and you write books…you have my utmost admiration, Dan.
    Every time our library or local indie book store has a sale, I think, “I really don’t need any more books.” Then I think, “What is wrong with you?! Of course, you need more books!”
    That blue jay shot is wonderful, but I am happy to see Smokey get his share. He is such a little gentleman.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Lois, and yes, you need more books – always. The blue jays will grab the peanuts from right in front of the squirrels. They are so fast. We always make sure Smokey and the others get their peanut.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I can’t tell you how often I start a post, can’t finish it for whatever reason, and then it becomes obsolete. Sigh. Way too often, that’s what!
    And yes, when it feels like work, it’s time to change it up!
    Lovely photos, as per.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I recently found a dozen or so posts that I wrote during the pandemic. All gone now. None of this feels like work yet, so I’ll keep mixing it up.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I did a purge of my drafts file just yesterday. The ones that can be repurposed are going to stick around for a while :)

        Liked by 1 person

  18. That’s a superb statement from Cheryl. I really like that one, Dan. Hugs to you both.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Teagan. I’ll keep mixing things up here. Nothing feels like work yet.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Kudos to that blue jay who showed it wasn’t much work at all in swooping down and capturing that nut. Most definitely…when non-work stuff starts to feel like work, a new direction works!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Exactly, Bruce. No work for that blue jay and nothing feeling like work here. We’re all good.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Great photos, as usual, Dan. Yeah, the writing part can feel like work sometimes especially if you are doing books and blogs. I’ve been doing that for 11 years, and I still feel it isn’t work.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s funny, John, I think blogging keeps the writing from feeling like work. In any case, I still enjoy both, so I’ll keep them both in the mix.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Hope all goes well with the novel, and I guess we’ll see you when we see you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ll be around, John, maybe just not as much. I want to try and change my theme, so that will require a bit of testing.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. A new novel? Good for you! Enjoy the process – it can be fun!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jan. It still feels like fun.

      Like

  23. I didn’t realize you also write books! Having followed your blog for a number of years now, I know your writing is awesome. Hope you make a fortune on Amazon. (PS: If you ever need a beta reader or proofreader, I’m available.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. I may take you up on that offer.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. I love your quote, Dan. I love it when what I enjoy doesn’t feel like work. Great photos! I love the lighting effect in the morning after the rain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jan. We need to make sure what enjoy never feels like work.

      Like

  25. You have the most polite menagerie. The pictures on the water at dusk always make me think of Zack. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Enjoy your break, enjoy your writing and your reading. Look after yourself and have a great Christmas 💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Willow. I’ll be around, but maybe less often and with fewer words.

      Like

      1. Fewer words? You Dan…..Never 😂💜💜

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Haha – you know me too well, Willow. I am going to try.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Yes of course you are 💜💜💜

            Liked by 1 person

  27. Enjoy your respite Dan – hope you get some books read and some R&R. Your squirrel photos always make me smile and yes, standing up on the porch railing does guarantee you’ll get noticed. :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Linda. I’ll still be around, but not as much. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Hi Dan, I am also taking a break from my blog. I want to finish a difficult chapter of my WW1 novel and edit my short story collection. I also want to paint and draw.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good luck with all those activities, Robbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. It is good to have more than one thing we enjoy doing. Beautiful photo of the silhouetted trees in the morning light at the bottom left.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Your 1Liner is me all over. It feels like following a happiness trail. Best to you, Dan. Keep writing and reading.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Dan!

        Like

  31. Isn’t retirement great? I love all the blue and gold in your photos.

    Like

  32. You have quite a knack photographing bluejays! This is my favorite bird, all my shots are too far away or a blur of blue…
    Beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Almost every shot of them in flight is an accident. I staged one once, when sitting in the back yard. I focused on a spot, threw a peanut into that spot and waited. They are so fast, it took me a few tires to get one in focus.

      Like

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