Well, this has been in the back of my mind for some time and the introduction of the obnoxious Block Editor on WordPress has been the final deciding factor for the blog.
As of today, I will be taking an indefinite hiatus from blogging.
I have pondered taking this action in the past, but continued on despite my misgivings. There is a silver lining in that I will be able to submit the poetry I write to actual publications, which I was often unable to do after posting them on my blog due to many of the publications’ submission requirements.
I want to take this opportunity to thank any and every person who has liked, viewed, or commented on my content; whether it was from the original book reviews, movie reviews, editorials, Music Mondays, or the more personal posts, please know that I would not have been able to grow as a writer without your patronage and I will be forever grateful.
I have been able to learn so much through this journey, and believe now is an appropriate time to move on to something new and exciting.
I remain,
Erik Shinker
Perpetually Past Due
Wishing you all the best for the future, Erik π
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Thank you!
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I think many bloggers are going to give up as well. I hate the new block editor! I’m sorry to see you leave but totally get it! Good luck in your publishing quest! You’ve got this!ππ
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Thank you so much! It just isn’t worth the time for me to try and learn a new editor with other priorities going on.
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Wishing you all the best! π
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Thank you!
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Take care.
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You as well!
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Wishing you the best!
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Thank you!
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I wish you all the best as you shift into submitting your poetry for publication. I have two blogs, and I’m going to give up one of them because my heart’s not in it anymore. (And I also don’t have the time to maintain two.)
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Thank you so much! Congratulations to both of us on newfound freedom haha
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π
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I relate. The block editor is a nightmare. But, fyi, you can still use wordpress completely the old way. Just go in through your WP Admin. Click posts, then add new β and it is the old way for a new post. I have been doing this for a while, because just the minor changes they started with about 1 year ago were too much for me! I could not even adapt to those little things. Let alone this annoying block editor!!!!!
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Thanks for the information, Laura. I think my blog has served the purpose I set out with initially which was to build a living portfolio until I could establish myself with professional experience. Now that I have, this became less and less of a priority; I think this is an opportune time to stop before I began to resent blogging. It is a hiatus because I don’t want to cut off the possibility of my return, but I have other endeavors I would rather pursue.
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Onwards and upwards for you! Best wishes!
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Thank you so much! Best wishes to you as well!
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You’re welcome and thank you!
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Going to miss your poetry. I appreciate how honest you are with your feelings with the verses you write. Wishing you the best in your writing endeavors.
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That’s so kind of you to say; thank you so much!
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I hope you announce when you are published on this blog or in some other way.
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I am keeping the blog up, so there is a very good chance that will happen (assuming I get published!).
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Very sad, but dang, that block editor is obnoxious, isn’t it!
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It is indeed!
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Wishing you the best, as well!!
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Thank you so much!
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Having only just recently discovered you I am especially sad to hear this! However, I hope you will be successful and happy with your next steps. I agree the block editor is quite annoying, although I’m slooooowwwwly getting (kind of) used to it. I think?
Good luck with all of your future endeavors!
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Thank you so much for that! I have quite the back catalog of posts if you ever feel inclined, but I am glad I was able to connect with you even if it was for a short time. Best of luck to you as well!
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It goes both way too — thank YOU for taking the time to read and leave likes on my site. I’ve only been following you for a couple weeks at this point, but it’s always bittersweet seeing blogs come to an end. Best of luck going forward.
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Thank you so much! I hope you’ll find what I found while blogging: a community of supportive and creative people who wish each other success.
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I certainly have. Since starting mine in 2011 I have found so many cool places to go and people I’ve met. It’s been the reason I’ve kept going. I’m struggling these days to keep the motivation high, so I 100% understand when people are done with it. It takes quite a level of commitment.
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Sorry to lose you from WP, Erik! It’s been great reading your blog – the reviews and later your poems. I feel like they gave me a window into who you are, and I enjoyed the connection. I wish you all the best and hope to read your own published collection of poetry in the future!
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Thank you so much! You have been such a welcome constant on the blog over the years and I cannot express how much I have appreciated that.
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And vice versa! Thank you for your support, Erik π
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I’m sad to hear this, but I understand your reasons (and I agree with your opinion on the new block editor). I’ve really enjoyed following your blog for the past year or two and I will miss your posts. Thank you so much for your support and interactions with my blog as well – it’s been greatly appreciated. All the best in your new endeavors with writing and publishing!
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Thank you so much!
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Iβm sorry to lose you but completely understand. Enjoy your next adventure!
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I really appreciate that π Thank you!
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I keep refusing to try the block editor. It sounds awful. π
And youβre welcome!!
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I wish you success in your endeavors! All the best!
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Thank you! And all the best for you as well!
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Good luck!
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Thanks!
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Best wishes with everything new going forward!
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Thank you!
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Thank you for the likes! I wish you well in your future endeavors. I hope your terrific poetry becomes hugely successful in the future.
P.S. I’m not a fan of the block editor either.
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Thank you so much! And it is unfortunate that WordPress didn’t (to my knowledge) ask for user feedback on it.
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Wish you the best! I’ve always liked seeing your poetry π
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Thank you so much!
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Good luck in your future endeavors! Phil.
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Thank you, Phil!
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It’s been only a few days and you’re missed already. π Wishing you all the best.
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Thank you! All the best to you, too!
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π
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We will miss you but hope that you move on to better things. If you have a moment, we would like to know all the wonderful things that you too. I’ll miss your poetry. Here is to bigger things!
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate you saying that and all of the times you have liked and commented on my posts.
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You’re welcome! Let us know when you get published!
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I had been wondering where you were Eric. I will miss you. I still have the classic editor available at the moment. I find the block editor frustrating most of
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I was trying to write I still find the block editor frustrating most of the time but I am getting used to it. It must have been a difficult decision. I have nearly taken my blog down a few times but it has become like an old friend and I cherish my connection with all of you. I love your passion. Please let us know when you make that special connection you are seeking. Life is often tough for poets. I used to write poetry too but somehow I have lost my desire to express myself that way.
Wishing you every success in your new ventures. Thank you so much for your support through these difficult times.
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Thank you so much! You always leave such thoughtful comments and it is something I have always appreciated.
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Sad to see you go, but excited for your next step into the future. Be brave, be bold, and achieve great things.
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Thank you so much! You have been a follower for such a long time and it has always been such a comfort to me that you remained through all of my blog’s iterations.
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Aw, this is a bummer to hear since I’m finally getting back from my own very extended one! I get it though and wish you the best of luck!
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Thank you so much. I’m glad you are returning to blogging!
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I have enjoyed reading your work so much. Hope you return back to here at some point.
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Sorry to see you go! But good luck with your poetry!
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Thank you!
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Oh… Just as I decided to visit I see this… it always feels bittersweet when a blogger I follow say goodbye, but I wish you a lot of luck and yeah, blocks SUCKS!
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There have been a lot of bloggers leaving, lately. I don’t know everyone’s specific reasons but, there’s been a recent wave. The block editor has been a huge point of contention. I’ve gone round & round with the “happiness engineers” (what an oxymoron) and these folks don’t care that most of us don’t like it. They have been slowly taking functions away from the classic editor. I’m hanging on by my fingernails.
I understand taking a break. I’ve taken several. Sometimes, you need a change in direction. Good luck, sweetie.
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I only just saw this now. Completely understand your decision to do so and was feeling sort of the same way in the past few months too.
Before I saw this, I tagged you in a challenge to journal about what happens over the first ”12 Days of Christmas” just as a cool writing prompt. However please feel no pressure if you’re on hiatus, it was just a friendly offer. I honestly don’t know if I’ll end up completing a journal for all 12 days myself but I at least tagged you because you’re a great writer!
Enjoy your hiatus and the upcoming holidays!
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Sorry to see you go! I wish you good tidings!
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Wishing you all the best in the future and thanks for connecting πβ₯οΈ
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