An explanation for my absence

[katherine_b]

Greetings all!

I thought those people who enjoy my writing might appreciate an explanation for my long delay in posting anything Doctor Who-related, those who are curious about my other writing would appreciate an update on that, and those who are just sticky-noses might like an update on my life in general.

As many of you will know, I am currently writing my PhD. (Procrastination is a wonderful thing. ;-) I have to submit in August 2011 and have a number of dates for things to be due before then. The first major one is to have a draft of the entire critical section of the thesis complete by early December, which is (dear God!) about four weeks away. I'm sure you can understand this is putting rather more constraints on my time than I would usually have.

Naturally, I am not spending all my time on my thesis. However, as well as the critical element, there is also a creative section, which is a diary set during World War II in Berlin. This has been slowly coming together over the past two years or so, but is a long time from being ready. Luckily I will have about six months early next year when my critical supervisor is away to work on it.

What this means, though, is that while I was writing that work, I found it very difficult to work on the Chalet School book I have been plowing through since 2005. Being set in a similar era, but with such dramatically different style and voice, focusing on one makes it hard to get back into the mindset of the other. In fact, until August, I'd done nothing on Muellers for more than 12 months. However, now that my creative thesis story is on the back-burner, I have begun a reread of the Chalet School series and have also returned to working on Muellers. I am now half-way through chapter 7 and am aiming to get a first draft complete by the end of the year. This will mean, while I shift focus back to my creative piece for my thesis, those responsible for helping me knock Muellers into shape for publication can work on it.

The nett result of this, though, is that I have had to shelve my Doctor Who writing for now. I have similar problems with Chalet School and DW in that their extreme differences in terms of style, voice and tone make it hard to jump from one to another. While I can promise that I will have the Secret Santa fic ready, I'm not sure how much else I will manage. I'm sorry to those who enjoy my writing, but I will return in the New Year with a vengeance!

I will also do my best to read and comment on as many fics as possible, but I hope you will forgive any absences.

Comments

[juliet316]

It's okay, we're a very patient bunch. *hugs* Good luck on your thesis and Chalet School.

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *hugs you back*

[cavgirl.livejournal.com]

You have all my sympathy. As you must have noticed, I'm in BSG at the moment. BSG is not obnoxiously American, but still sufficiently US in idiom that switching from that to CS is.... interesting. Thankfully, I *think* major edits are done, so it hasn't been too much of an issue. Plus, I tend to have to consciously add the Americanisms into BSG (or in some cases delete the near EBDisms. That's ....weird.) What's the CS project? Fic or another GGB?

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The CS project is another GGB - my fill-in between Jo Returns and New. And I fully sympathise on the editing front! I've turned into the world's worst self-censor with editing which means I don't get on nearly as fast as I'd like to.

[loves-glamour.livejournal.com]

Oh I wish you the best of luck with all your work. I'm simply getting a BA and I think it's hard so I commend you greatly on your work to get your PhD :) Nor worries on lack of fic, at least for me, I've still got a few to catch up on which I'll do during Christmas break lol

Also, I'm so late with this, do forgive me, but HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! I hope you had a pleasant and enjoyable day <3

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. There are many times when I wonder just what I've got myself into. And thanks for the birthday wishes. I did have a lovely day!

[jennytork.livejournal.com]

Hey, no apologies necessary on my end.

Real life -- and dissertations! -- ALWAYS have to come before fanworks.

We're a patient bunch. We'll wait for you.

((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))

Good luck and happy belated birthday.

Oh, and please keep us updated from time to time on how the diss is going!

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and yes, I suppose thesis is marginally more important. *hugs you back*

[time-converges.livejournal.com]

Good luck on the dissertation hon - you're brilliant, and you'll get it done! We're here if you need a stress break. :)

We'll wait for you, no worries. The Chalet School book is so exciting too!

*hugs you*

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *hugs you back*

[sandytherese.livejournal.com]

Hey mate, take it easy in the process. You just have to remember getting a PhD can't be that hard or I wouldn't have one. Seriously though, if you need a second set of eyes on anything (or anything else), do let me know.

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

*lol* I'll have to remember that line! And thanks for the offer.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

Real life has a nasty habit of intruding on time we'd rather spend upon fannish things, but that's how it goes.

Take care of yourself and don't work too hard!

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, RL is a nasty, horrible, interfering thing...

[onthetardis.livejournal.com]

I add another 'good luck' to your growing list and say I can't wait for more from you in the new year. Take care! (>^_^)>♥

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *hugs*

[ungratefulwench.livejournal.com]

I'm excited at the prospect of new Chalet School stuff from you :D Best of luck with it and with writing up the PhD!

[katherine-b.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you are! I have to admit I'm enjoying it so much that I don't know why I left it so long!