Hi all! I've started this post a thousand times, because I am still a people-pleaser (sorry Oprah, I'm working on it) and don't want to make anyone unhappy, but I've decided to take a break from blogging to write my book. I've been thinking a lot about this since the New Year. I desperately wanted to maintain this community and continue on with the blog, but updating it feels very different now that I'm not blogging about my experiment. Without my project to write about, I have drifted into critique or summary of the show. It's just not what interests me. I think there are plenty of outlets out there that already do this – not the least of which is Oprah's site and message boards.
Now that my social experiment is over, I really want to have time to write my book. I'm insanely, head-over-heels grateful to have gotten an amazing opportunity to write about my experience and I don't want to water down my ability to create a fabulous book because I spend so much time discussing the 2009 episodes. It takes me anywhere from 2-4 hours a day to watch the show, maintain the blog, do my research, answer my emails, etc…and in doing this (along with my day job, maintaining my home, my family, my sanity), I'm not giving myself a fair chance to dedicate myself to my dream project.
Also, if I'm forcing myself to watch the show every day and write about it, I'm not able to truly experience the "after" effects of the project. Will I drift back into old ways, stick to Oprah's suggestions, or find brand new paths to follow as a result of my Living Oprah year. Will I continue watching the show? Or will I never turn on the TV in the morning again? I'm not able to follow my own voice if I'm trying to make everyone else happy but myself.
I have incredibly mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I'm going to miss checking in with you and hearing from you daily. On the other, I feel like a weight has been taken off my shoulders and I'm excited to see what the next chapter of my life will bring.
I expect I'll be checking in occasionally, so if you want to join Feedblitz in order to be notified when new material is put online, that's fab. OR, if you don't want to subscribe, but want updates about how my book is doing, when my book is going to come out, when I FINALLY finish my accounting, etc, please please please send your email address to livingoprah@live.com with the word "book" in the subject line and I'll happily drop you a note when I'm on the shelves.
Don't forget, I'm a little bit desperate to meet you face-to-face. (Cue Barbra: 'People…People who need people…Are the luckiest people in the world!") So, when I do any publicity for the book, I'll let you know where and when and how I'll be. If you're available and nearby, PLEASE do come say hi and allow me to thank you in person for all your support.
I'm sad. I admit it. I'm going to miss the heck out of you. Please don't be a stranger. If you read anything, see anything, hear anything Oprah-related that you think I'd enjoy, do not hesitate to contact me. And I'll do the same – if something exciting comes up, I'll definitely post it here. Oh, and if you happen to have extra vibes to send, please send me all your "write-a-great-book" vibes. That's right, I said 'vibes' – I'm a yoga teacher, what do you want from me?!
So, good-bye for now. I think I'm going to go through some major "you" withdrawal over the next weeks.
All my very best,
Robyn
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66 comments:
WHAAAAAAAT? NO! ::sniff:: You do whatcha gotta do, LO. I can't wait to hear more about the book. I'll miss you in internetland, but I'll definitely come out for a book promotion. ::high five::
Oh Robyn! Say it ain't so! I'm a subscriber and will keep you on my subscription list and can't wait to here the news about the book!! Hey if you are EVER in the NE Indiana area let me know!! Brian(Tysdaddy) and I will have you over for ribs on the grill and a proper fire in the fire pit! ;)
Garsy
Sad for me, but it's only logical for you. I'm really looking forward to your book, and I'll of course subscribe to feedblitz.
Sending you powerful, creative vibes!
And thanks for being the place where I could meet more Paula's in one place than was ever possible before. Does that sentence make sense?
Good for you! And...good luck.
Shoot! I really looked forward to your appearance in my inbox each day. Have to admit that towards the end you were getting a wee bit sarcastic, which I enjoyed.
Looking forward to your book.
WhiteLilyCat
It feels like you have been a great hostess for an internet gathering- offering up ideas for conversation, creating a space where we can interact.
But every great hostess knows when its time to call it a night, put the dishes away and go to bed.
Good luck.
Bummer! I've really enjoyed your blog, but I completely understand your need to focus on your book. Best of luck to you and if you're ever in Southern California, let me know. Peace.
I've been expecting this day since January 1st. I feel lucky to have gotten the extra month.
I'm looking forward to your book and anything else you decide to post. Good luck with the writing and editing.
I was a frequent reader. I'm looking forward to the book! Best of luck!
I will miss you but understand that you need to focus on your book. I am looking forward to it! Thanks for doing such an interesting project. I thought it was very very cool! :) All the best!
LO:
I totally understand why you need to do this. It's HARD Writing writing on an almost daily basis - I do it at my day job and now I'm discovering this with my own little project that I started a week ago.
If you get to Houston Let me know :)
i'm sending you happy book vibes....you have given me such pleasure from your blog, it is only fair that we allow you to enjoy the pleasure of writing your book....and i know you will ;-) i feel honoured that you have shared so much through your experience. i wish you all the best ;-)
Robyn- I'll miss you, too! LO is one of my procrastination tools first thing in the morning! Seriously, though, you have done amazing work, you're a joy to read, and can't wait for the book! - ms
Ohhh I'm so sad, but very happy for you..guess I'll have to go join Feedbitz now and of course I want to know when your book is out. This was an amazing place to come each day and laugh and sometimes even cry over. But as one of your humble guests at this table, I'd just like to say Thankyou for being such a wonderful hostess. So, its not really good bye but TTYL I guess :)
Oh and Hey Paula I will miss you and the other Paula's as well, we will definitely have to start that fan club when the book comes out.
All the best to all the wonderful voices that have shared over the year.
Peace and good "vibes" to all
Paula from A2
Oh no! I'm sad for me but happy for you. You write the HELL out of that book and keep us posted on how it's going.
Good luck with your book LO! I've gotten addicted to reading your daily summaries and insights and the reactions of all the commenters. I'll miss your blog, but I completely understand how there isn't enough time in the day to process a past year of Oprah in the Media and keep up with a whole new year of the same thing.
-Susie
Congratulations, Robyn, for listening to that voice. If you learned nothing over the last year from Oprah, you learned the importance of being "The Best You". I'm a new fan, but I'll still missing "lurking" around every few days, and will certainly sign up to find out how the book is going. All the best!
Jan
No need to apologize for having to work on your book. I understand editors like their authors to do that.
It's been fun reading your blog. You made it entertaining and thought provoking. I even made a virtual friend through it (yeah, I'm talking about you Little Merry Sunshine).
Would love to meet you in TO if your publisher allows you to cross the border. And if you happen to bring Chicago hotdogs and pizza with you...
Good luck with the writing. If you take the same care with it as you have the first phase of the project, I'm sure you will produce something wonderful.
Sarah
I have enjoyed your blog. Good luck with your book.
LO-
I will miss reading you everyday and look forward to the book. Maybe your mom could start a blog. She is so sweet, I loved her posts. I'll also miss Iamsusie's comments. She always makes me smile too. Hope you make it to Atlanta on your book tour. I'll be there! Believe in yourself! You've got the stuff!
I've got you on my Google Reader, so I'll be sure not to miss your check-ins. Can't wait for the Chicago book signing. I'll be there!
Robyn, as someone already said, it seems that you HAVE indeed (like it or not :) learned something from O this past year---doing what needs to be done for you! Writing a book is tough, believe me I know! But in the end it will have been worth it to think/write/talk about it all your waking hours (I hope Jim is prepared for that---poor man probably thought the Oprah days were coming to an end, little did he know that writing a book meant they were only just beginning!).
I have read your Blog everyday (and must confess that I generally "check in" several times a day while I am 'working'!). Can't wait to read the book!
Take good care and good luck!
Funny, I was just telling my husband this morning that I think LO is the best "project" blog I have read, but that I think it would be hard to keep it going now that the project year is over... I've never commented before, but have been a loyal reader and have enjoyed it immensely. Good luck with your book and thanks for an entertaining and insightful year.
i'll miss reading your posts . . . but i understand you need to work on the book. i look forward to reading it! i'll check in with the blog from time to time to see what updates you've written. good luck!
red headed linguist
i'll miss reading your posts . . . but i understand you need to work on the book. i look forward to reading it! i'll check in with the blog from time to time to see what updates you've written. good luck!
red headed linguist
Best of vibes on your book writing. Maybe I'll show up at your yoga class sometime when the weather warms up and I come out of hibernation. :) Thanks for entertaining us all year! I'll definitely turn out for your book signing.
will miss your posts, but am really looking forward to the book. really enjoyed participating, and may even check out O magazine for the next year, to see if it changes my life... ahem... :-) see you soon, ellen
I've enjoyed this project so much. Can't wait to see the book -- I'll watch for you in Denver!
what? you're not interested in critique? haha. i wonder why?
Robyn,
I was sick for a few days and I come back to this!?! Oh, gosh, you made me cry. I have enjoyed your blog more than you know. Now I look forward to reading your book and having you sign it here in Northern California. Enjoy your time writing. I don't have any "vibes" that I know of, but I'll send along some prayers, if that's all right. ;>)
I'll send you as many good vibes as I can, Robyn, but work your butt off because luck is when opportunity meets preparation :)
Your integrity has impacted me in ways I can't even describe. I have no doubt your book will do well because after all, it will have been written by you.
Looking forward to meeting you on your book tour...
I'm sending you lots of "good book writing" vibes as I write this, and will continue to do so.
Thanks so very much for sharing this experience/experiment with us!
Miss you already!
I had a feeling this day would come, and while I'm sad that I won't get to read your insightful prose for a while, I am excited for you and can't wait to read the book! I wasn't a very active commenter, but I read almost every post from last year, and being a part of your journey was funny, touching, educational, and a blast.
Know that you have all the "vibes" we can send and don't be a stranger! Book tours don't generally come to New Mexico, but if yours does, I will show up for sure! Best of luck!
Awww--I totally understand why you need to cut back on posting so much, but you'll be missed very much! I check here all the time it seems! Good luck with everything, LO! And thanks again for making 2008 such an adventure! :-)
LO, sending you many "write a good book vibes." I hope the end was a self imposed deadline as opposed to a reaction to the UK magazine article. Please let us know how/if you responded to the nastiness.
One line in your closing (you let us down as gently as you could)in particular caught my attention "Now that my social experiment is over". This is far from over. I already smell sequel. Just the response from the media, the book signings, the whirlwind press tour will deserve your insight. I'm sure you'll meet many rabid Oprah fans, but it's pretty evident you have a rabid cult following of your own (myself humbly included). Thanks for winking at Matt,
Kim
Godspeed, LO. See you in class. :-)
Go pursue your dream! I'm so excited for you, getting a book deal! I'll miss reading your posts every day but I'm really, really happy for you.
Be Well,
Jenn
Hi LO,
I have been travelling for the last couple of months and havent been able to read the blog as religiously as I used. I'll have to find time to catch up!!
I wish you all the very best Robyn, it was a great pleasure being part of this community. I'll be sure to read your book when it comes out as I know it will, (you wont believe the insanely huge number of good vibes I'm sending out there for you).
Mucho kisses and may you LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!!! (hehehehe, somebody had to say it!!)
T
p.s. I'll try my damdest to make it to a signing if you come down under!!!
Rock on, Sister Friend (as Wynona Judd would say to Oprah... that's okay, I'll be Wynona for a minute)!
I'll be looking forward to your book and will check back in on occasion. I actually stopped watching the OPRAH show for the most part and wound up reading your blog instead. Does this mean I have to go back to DVR'ing the shows?!
Merde!
You definitely need the 2-4 hours a day for other things at this point. You're on my Google Reader so I won't miss a post when that THING comes along that you have to share with us all. Whatever that thing turns out to be!
Can't wait to welcome you to the Philly burbs! (Or Philly proper for that matter, we love the city too.) Do let us know, we're getting a little blogger group together and I'm sure they would love to meet you too!
And goodbye for now to your commenters...Paula (all of you!), Susie, and many many others have totally made my day and made me think. The Oprah message boards are too big and too diffuse for my tastes, and I have enjoyed this community you built here.
See you at the book parties, friends!
You definitely need the 2-4 hours a day for other things at this point. You're on my Google Reader so I won't miss a post when that THING comes along that you have to share with us all. Whatever that thing turns out to be!
Can't wait to welcome you to the Philly burbs! (Or Philly proper for that matter, we love the city too.) Do let us know, we're getting a little blogger group together and I'm sure they would love to meet you too!
And goodbye for now to your commenters...Paula (all of you!), Susie, and many many others have totally made my day and made me think. The Oprah message boards are too big and too diffuse for my tastes, and I have enjoyed this community you built here.
See you at the book parties, friends!
I am so happy for you! What an exciting new chapter in your life. With your talent, you can't go wrong.
I will miss you dearly though. This was one of my three 'must read' blogs each day.
Best of luck! (sob)
Maaaaaate! I thought this day may be coming...(sigh). Good luck and bravo to you. I will miss your daily wit and insight. Hope the writing goes well, and that you are able to make it to Australia. Bless!
Best of luck to you LO, and thanks for a ton of enjoyment. I haven't watched Oprah since I went back to work after surgery, but I've checked in to see what you all have had to say every day. What a cool bunch of people, wish I knew you to hang out with.
Good for you - and role modeling boundaries for us (Oprah would appreciate that)
AND (cue to your other local readers
to offer similar help):
when you are planning your book tour,
I'd be happy to give insights re S.F. Bay Area - especially our crown jewel, locally-owned store where all the big name authors come to tout their books - Book Passage with great stores in which to speak
in S.F. at the Ferry Bldg where you can look out on the bay while you speak
and across the Golden Gate bridge over here in Marin County.
-another author who, every day thinks of bum glue
Well here I am finally posting after religiously reading your blog and never commenting! Totally understand but will miss your insight and sense of humor. Best of luck - I'll look forward to someday meeting you at one of your book signings!
A wise decision. I'm going to miss you and your posts, but you do have a life beyond Oprah that you need to have time to live. :-) Also, ending now gives the project a a sense of completeness (from my observer point of view) and allows you to move on to new and exciting projects. Best of luck with the book! When you're on your whirlwind, world-wide book tour, make sure you stop in at Winnipeg! Unless it's January. If you don't want to stop in Winnipeg in January, your Winnipeg fans will understand. Heck, WE don't want to be here in January . . . (and off I go on a tangent.)
I can hardly wait for the day that you're on Oprah promoting your book about the Living Oprah experience. I'll actually watch that episode! And of course, once that happens, the book will be optioned as a movie -- who should play you in the movie?
Best of luck with the book and in all things.
I'll miss checking in every day -- this was my first experience following a blog and I really got hooked. It makes total sense that you need to take a break and I wish you all the best! I'm looking forward to checking out your book and, if you get to Seattle, saying hi. Thanks so much for all the fun and to opening my eyes up to Oprah. I had never watched the show before I heard of your blog and I really enjoyed following along. Oh well, I'm on my own now, and I have to agree with you that I will enjoy that extra bit of time every day! GOOD LUCK!
Best wishes. Thanks for the many many awesome discussions that you sparked.
So sad but totally understandable. Talk soon!!
Good Luck LO,
It's been fun
reading your blog!
Good luck Robin! I've enjoyed your blog and think you will write a wonderful book. Sending good book vibes your way! :-)
good for you! good luck :)
I haven't had time to read your blog for awhile but i wish you much fun on your blog vaca! I also haven't watched Oprah (but have them TiVo'd) since you january...coincidence??
Well done, you! Not just for having such a great opportunity but, more importantly, for creating it. By having the courage to follow your inclinations, and the determination to commit yourself to the project, you have created something totally unexpected and wonderful for yourself. Your voice is intelligent, thoughtful, rational, funny and kind. A pleasure to read. I wish you the very best of luck.
Best of luck with your book. :o)
I will so miss your insightful, funny, true, witty posts! I have adored this blog.
Oh, Robyn,
Go be free - move on to your next big adventure.
I noticed there is another Betty blogging on here. Just remember, I gave you the original Gayle offer!
Everyone needs a Gayle, you know! ha
Good luck in all you do. Happy writing!
Betty
good luck on your book Robin! We'll miss you.
I really hope no one buys the book. I think it's disgusting that you're profiting from Oprah. Oh, but you won't take the Kindle from her because of your high moral standards.
Anon, that's one of the most illogical statements I've ever read. Get an education.
Hello!
Has the financial tally been made for the project?
To the Anonymous who wrote, "That's one of the most illogical statements I've ever read. Get an education."
I have an education - a J.D. degree and my profession involves logic. Of course, education is no substitute for common sense. I think L.O. is seeking to profit from Oprah Winfrey, yet she won't accept a free gift from her. If you fail to see the logic in that, um, get some intelligence.
Writing a book about one's own experience is not profiting off of someone else. LO has spent her own money and time in this past year. I, for one, enjoyed the journey. I might not buy her book but I might get it from the library.
My mom got tickets to an Oprah taping and she is so happy!
Love this blog!
I'm writing about these wacky inappropriate letters from my mom. Would love to hear what some of your readers think of it...
www.pleasedonteatsushi.blogspot.com
Thanks! And best of luck with the book!
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