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Daniel Hanning of The Other Shoe[/caption].
Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. This morning I awoke to the sound of my own coughing. This time it is much deeper, and the raspy quality is replaced with a rattling sound. Deep in my chest something is rattling like dried bones in a bag, and I am… well, kind of scared. For a moment, let me look on the bright side of things. Last week, for the very first time since my first bout with this respiratory infection, I managed to publish ten articles in seven days. My Dear Readers I want you to know, to completely understand, what you and your readership here at The Other Shoe means to me.
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My Dear Readers just prior to the first onset of my respiratory infection? The traffic at just the primary location of my blog was peaking at about 150 visitors per week. That is an average of twenty visitors per day, but some days (of course) saw more traffic. I understand… I accept the reality of blogging. I understand the fickle nature of traffic and the genuine need of people for new content. Whereas I do not mean to judge, really I am the same way. I am a ‘news junkie’ and I read three to four different source for news every single day. Not six months ago I would watch MSNBC non-stop from 7AM until 7PM six days a week.
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I have broken my news addiction, and with it my (rather mellow) political partisanship. My Dear Readers until my doctors find out just exactly what is wrong with me. Why I cannot throw this respiratory infection, why I have low-grade fevers nightly or the chronic fatigue I experience. Until that time my ability to regularly provide the requisite level of content is greatly hampered. I met, and exceeded, my goal for content this past week. Yet, in the process I have caused my infection to return and started the cycle of illness yet again.
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First, My Dear Readers I cannot put into words the excitement I felt writing Part One of ‘The Horror in Smithville’! I just love a well-written and suspenseful horror story. Let me be crystal clear, I do not include works like the ‘Twilight’ series. From what I read, of these books, they were a mix between sugary sweet horror and soft-core teenage porn. My very first exposure to the genre, horror, was one common and familiar to my generation. ‘The Twilight Zone’, ‘The Outer Limits’ and (later) ‘Night Gallery’ were my introduction to the genre(s) of horror and suspense and science fiction. Written by; Rod Serling, Ray Bradbury, Gene Roddenberry, and even Isaac Asimov these works were literary gold and my first and most impressionable impressions of these genres. That and… a little known (and I have looked and could not find these books) series of books by Playboy. They were sold together and each book was devoted to one genre. I found them at a garage sale, when I was about 8. You cannot imagine the fast-talking, wheeling, and dealing I had to engage in order to get my mother’s permission to purchase the boxed set.
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After these golden nuggets of horror and science fiction, both genres floundered for many years. George Lucas rejuvenated science fiction with ‘Star Wars’, while the horror genre was brought back to life by Stephen King’s brilliant abilities. Stephen King defined the horror genre for decades to come, and (believe it or not) caused me great hesitation writing and publishing in his genre. Last week I put my fears aside, embraced my nightmares and put pen to paper for my very first venture into the horror genre. I tread gently, into Mr. King’s territory, and have made the conscious decision to write for young adults, first.
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Come to think of it, ‘The Horror in Smithville’ and ‘The Adventures of Princess Nadia’ are both written for the young adult – pre-teen audience. I do this, intentionally, for two reasons. The first of which is the most important. I do not feel as though there is enough well written and thoughtful science fiction and horror for young adults and pre-teens. I see a real need for more quality writing in both of these genres. Second, My Dear Readers I will be the very first to admit I need more experience… more education under my belt before I wade into the same waters occupied by greats like Stephen King.
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I would like to think that someday I might be able to create imagery, bring to life endearing characters, share memorable settings, and spin tales that weave all these elements together into a work of art. I know my ultimate goal, I can feel my limitations and I see the path clearly in front of me. Then there is my physical condition, my degenerative disease state and the unknown disease/condition that plagues me, today. All too familiar, am I , with how quickly I burn through my stamina. That is just what happened last week, rather over the weekend and today as a direct result of my workload last week.
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My Dear Readers I longed to present you all with a full week of content. My desire to reestablish the traffic I had worked my fingers to the bone to achieve. You see, I do not fear the work… the workload. Honestly, I do not fear the pain that comes as a direct result of working (sitting behind a keyboard every day for hours at a time). I do not fear the resulting illness or pain and suffering. I do not fear most likely due to the fact of this reality for now, going on, the better part of a decade. It is the resulting pain, suffering, fevers, and (most of all) the raspy to bone rattling sounds in my lungs. It is not fear that stops me, it is the disabling; pain, popping and snapping in my neck, the fevers, the flu-like aches and pains, the shooting pains into my hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, neck face and chest.
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This morning, as I awoke to a fever rattling in my lungs and numbness in my left arm and hand, I turned my head to look at the clock and a tooth grating and deafening pop/snap in my neck echoes in my ears. All I wanted to do was to get up, take my medications, read some news, start up my computer, get behind the keyboard, and weave tales for you, My Dear Readers, to enjoy. It was not meant to be.
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It is now 5:30PM and I am just now finishing up writing this update/communiqué to you, My Dear Readers. I did not want to just leave you all (after ten articles in seven days) with silence from me. However, I am an thinking clearly and even my most simple and rudimentary writing skills escape me. I pus too hard, and for too long, and then I am incapable to get back up get behind the keyboard and spin the tales I so love to tell.
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I apologize for pushing so hard that it has damaged my health and find myself quite incapable of completing the work. MY Dear readers it is my intention and desire to present to you, as this week progresses; Part Two of ‘The Horror in Smithville’, a new edition of ‘The Mars Report’, an update on ‘Bridgegate’ in New Jersey and more and more engaging articles and stories. For the rest of today, I will rest. Tomorrow I will work to get my much needed appointments confirmed and scheduled. Just as soon as I am able, I plan of working as hard as I can to write and publish the works outlined above. Regardless of pain. Regardless of fevers. Regardless of aches and raspy-rattling coughs. I promise to do my best to provide the content you, My Dear Readers, desire and that I have inside my head… just waiting to be put down into words.
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Today, I wanted to share my dilemma, and hopefully engage your understanding. Yes, I also would like to illicit support and loyalty. However, I know that these must be earned. For four years I have worked to earn your support and loyalty. Oh, FYI this week I will publish the 390th article at my primary blog location. As well, in just twelve days we will be celebrating my Fourth Anniversary here at The Other Shoe! Hopefully that will coincide with the publication of my 400th article! By March 22nd, 2014 we WILL be celebrating 400 articles and FOUR YEARS here at The Other Shoe!
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ENJOY!
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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.
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Thank YOU!
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The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption].
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The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning[/caption]
[…] March 10th Personal/Medical Update and Blog Status : “My Dear Readers just prior to the first onset of my respiratory infection? The traffic at […]
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