Babies, Books and Blog Posts – Why I Took a Happy Break from Blogging
On May 10th, I stopped blogging.
And I didn’t pick it back up until mid-July.
(Please suspend your horror while I explain.)
I realize that abandoning one’s blog is a giant marketing no-no of course. I’ve known more than one P.R. person to get hot and fussy over blog neglect.
But, as I’ve mentioned before, there are times when real life should trump your online word count and I decided moving and having a baby in the same summer was one of them.
Sure, I could’ve churned out a few half-hearted posts between packing boxes and getting ultrasounds to avoid losing a handful of blog hits and some ambiguous SEO rankings. But instead, as a donation to my own health, I decided to take a baby sabbatical and recharge for the year of diaper changing and writing I knew was ahead.
Now for updates:
- The Emperor has hired a new chief of staff, Malachi David (but his many baby friends call him “Mac”). His first day on the job was August 5th. So far, he’s extremely small, really lazy and has a terrible work ethic, but everyone in the kingdom still seems smitten with him.
- We’re settled into the house I hope to live in until we die. It’s everything we need (and want) for this stage of life. And we’ve spent every day of summer glad that we pulled the trigger.
* * *
In the meantime, I’ve been writing, am writing and will be writing for quite some time. See below for the cliff notes on the Word docs my Mac Book is holding these days.
* * *
- Inciting Incidents, a book I have had the pleasure of curating and editing for Moody will be released September 1st. The book’s title is inspired by the film world, in which “inciting incidents” are events (good or bad) that push the story forward. Jeff Goins, David Hickman, Blaine Hogan, Tracee Persiko, Stephanie Smith, Mandy Thompson and David Wenzel joined me in putting their own inciting incidents onto paper. There’s also ample wisdom and inspiration for making the most of your own inciting incidents. As you consider clicking over to Amazon or Barnes and Noble to show your love for the project, check out the media our team has created to help introduce you to the book’s content. It includes an NPR style radio series, a chapter excerpt, some freebies and a chance to share your own story all found at IncitingIncidents.org.
- I’m pleased to be working with Zondervan again, this time on an updated version of Dear Church, my first book released in 2006. 2.0 will have updated statistics, a more expansive audience and resources for churches and denominational leaders. I never imagined it’d survive the shelves for 7 years to reach a second release. Grateful.
- Just putting the finishing touches on Portable Faith: How to Take Your Church To The Community (Abingdon, March 1, 2013). The book is a field guide to taking faith beyond the four walls of the church. It contains real life learning and dozens of relationship-building exercises for living and being the church to your community. This is the un-outreach book for community zealots and church leaders.
- Equally thrilled to be back with Moody again, this time on the other side of the desk, for a fall 2013 book that collects wisdom for life stretches where passion and ideals collide with reality and disappointment. It’s a put one foot in front of the other book that gathers the best of the best advice from the communities I’ve been part of. I’ll be releasing titles and cover images in the coming days.
- You may have noticed my blog posts continue to lean toward “brotherhood”–bringing people together in a world that sometimes feels isolating. This is part of the slow build behind a project that has been several years in the making (and will be at least one more). There’ll be opportunities for blog readers to get involved in future months. But if you’re the praying type, I’d be thankful if you started in now.
As we go, look for occasional additions to my developing (and free!) online support community for aspiring writers. There’s at least one tool coming that I am really excited about.
Finally, you’ve probably guessed by my 2013 plans that I’ve decided to keep my teaching career on pause as I write and freelance for events, conferences and organizations. I fancy myself a pretty good tribe builder when it comes to communication, promotion and gathering a community around a cause/event. If you ever want to hear how my work could boost your next project, don’t hesitate to drop me a line at sarahraymondcunningham (at) gmail (dot) com.
In the meantime, be blessed as I am blessed. Live passionately, chase dreams, but every once in a while toss the blog and kiss your babies.
<3
Sarah
ed cyzewski August 22, 2012 (9:56 pm)
Fantastic news Sarah. Portable Church sounds like a great book that fits a specific need right now. And congrats again on Mac (can I use his baby friend nickname?). I’m up late with Ethan who just hit his 6 week birthday today. Tiring but wonderful!
Joanna August 23, 2012 (7:00 am)
With all of that happening, it is pretty impressive that you’ve been able to blog at all!
I’m looking forward to reading Inciting Incidents. Sounds very interesting! If you have friends outside America who want to order it, they may like to know that http://www.bookdepository.com has it for pre-order cheap with free shipping pretty much anywhere in the world.
Brian Hilligoss August 23, 2012 (1:20 pm)
Hi Sarah,
I have been poking around your website since Wild Goose and am impressed with the content. Especially enjoyed your insight on writing as well as your personal material.
Congratulations with the new family member. Very exciting. Don’t know if you remember me or not, but we struck up a good conversation at WG, primarily, because you spoke to us first. I gave you a CD of mine then my friend and attended your talk. I am actually using one of your lines on my teenage sons now. I love that you said that about your father. I know what that looks like being a father of 3 teenage sons.
I am also the guy who is an event producer and singer who wants to cultivate a WG or similar event in Chicago(land). I have the resources and would love to visit with Gareth or anyone who would be interested in chatting.
You also recommended that I go to Story Chicago – which I am. Will you be attending?
Would love to catch up with you sometime.
Peace,
Brian
Sarah August 24, 2012 (7:55 am)
Hey Ed! Thanks. Congrats to you too. Funny how we celebrate weeks survived with babies. :) Got your book in the mail too!!
Thanks, Joanna! In my next post about the book, I’ll mention that!
And Brian, I definitely remember you and I’ll be at STORY for sure. :) Thanks for your support!
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