Dear all,
Well, it was a super-traumatic week for me last week as my spirit rose to the heavens at the start of the week, before crashing back down to earth again with a huge bang in the latter half. The actions of a few ‘disbelievers’ i.e. those didn’t think that my intentions in lit blogging were anything but pure, had rocked me to the core and they had got me thinking about my whole future, and whether there was indeed any future for me at all in lit blogging. Well, after much soul searching I’m happy to tell you that I’ve decided that there is real reason for me to hang around, and so I’m not going anywhere soon; anywhere that is, except onwards and upwards.
That’s right folks I’ve decided that RobAroundBooks is here to stay, and I’ve got you guys to thank for making me come to that decision. When I first wrote my ‘I can’t be bothered with this crap anymore’ post last week I truly believed that I couldn’t be bothered with the crap any more. I won’t go back into all the reasons why again, but I’ll simply tell you that you guys have completely reversed my feelings. Your touching words of support have affected me massively over these past few days, and you’ve made me realise without a shadow of a doubt that most people know that I’m the real deal; that my only motive for blogging is to share my passion for books and reading. So I thank you all a million times over dear friends for letting me know that you see me for what I really am.
And so I return to full-time blogging, but under new conditions:
Firstly, I return with the ambition of getting my blogging reliability back up to the level it previously was, and then some. Lately my blogging has been lethargic at best – somewhat ‘stop and start’ – and I’m determined to put an end to this. In order to do that I’ve set myself some lofty targets, which I hope I will hit within 12 months. To reveal those targets would make me look uber-pretentious so I’m not going to reveal them, but I will say that these targets should ensure that my focus stays laser-sharp, which in turn should ensure (I hope) that my blogging reliability is reinstated.
Secondly, I want to qualify myself in as many ways as I can. Sure, I have a good educational background for lit blogging (not essential of course, but important to me), but I have few skills in the areas that would benefit my blogging the most i.e. in journalism and writing craft. So I will also be focusing on honing those skills over the coming months in the hope that I can become a better example for others to follow.
Thirdly, it’s my intention to continue working towards launching the fabled v2.0 of RobAroundBooks you may have often heard me talking about. Behind the scenes I have been working incredibly hard on this, but looking at RobAroundBooks as it currently is you wouldn’t think it. It’s still my intention to focus more closely on four primary areas of literature – translated fiction, short stories, literary nonfiction, essays – and I want RobAroundBooks to wholly reflect this. So rest assured you will see a v2.0 of RobAroundBooks coming in the not too distant future. I just want to make sure that everything is 100% the way I want it before launching.
While I’m on the subject of what I intend to focus on, on RobAroundBooks, I should point out that I’ve decided to keep a single toe dipped in the world of general fiction too. I feel to point-blank omit anything that doesn’t fall within the afore-mentioned categories, is to cut oneself off from a wealth of beautiful and important literature. And given that RobAroundBooks is all about promoting a love for books and reading in general, I need to keep all my avenues somewhat open so to speak (and no, I draw the line at ‘opening my avenues’ to celebrity autobiographies and chick lit 
).
Lastly, I return to full time lit blogging with the steely determination that I will never again allow myself to be steered away from my primary mission of spreading my love for books and reading. I will not allow those who’s goal it is in life to bring others down, affect me. I will look upon self-servers and those whose intentions are not pure with silence, taking comfort in the knowledge that morally I will always be a cut above them. Most of all though I will never forget those who have stood by me these past few days and shown me their support. To each and every one of you, I will always be eternally grateful.
Now, let’s get this show back on the road!!
About Rob
Hey dude, sorry to hear you’ve had a ropey time but I’m glad you’ve decided to stick with it – you recommend a wide range of books I wouldn’t have even considered otherwise. Plus your “tweets” are an example of how to use Twitter which is something I’ve yet to sus out for AphroheadBooks. I waffle.
Anyway, keep it up and I look forward to 2.0 whenever you unleash it upon the world
says:
Thanks for your kind words Andy. V2.0 is still a bit off in the distance so don’t go holding your breath or anything for too long
Warmest regards
Rob
says:
Very very glad you’ve decided to stick with blogging. Please do share your lofty targets with us, especially how you intend to achieve them. I admit that I’m quite an unreliable blogger myself. You are adding literary nonfiction and essay to Rob 2.0
. I read very few nonfiction book so looking forward to your recommendations. On that score, I recommend The Black Jacobins by CLR James. It’s about Haiti and its independence movement. By far, the best literary nonfiction book that I’ve read.
says:
Hi Kinna,
Great to hear from you. Sorry, as much I admire and respect you I’m keeping my ambitions to myself. I think it’s better that way, for everyone.
As for literary nonfiction, yes it’s going to form one quarter of the focus on RobAroundBooks (although with will still keeping a toe in general fiction it doesn’t quite equate to a quarter). I should make it clear that the focus though is very much on LITERARY nonfiction rather than just the general stuff. And I’ll certainly check out The Black Jacobins, and will make a point of reading it if it fits in with what I’m focussing on.
Thanks again for all of your support Kinna
With warmest regards and affection
Rob
says:
Hooray! Welcome back, I’m really glad to hear it and some great conditions! I also love that you are allowing yourself the option of reading general fiction if something strikes your fancy. It’s good to be a bit flexible
says:
Amy,
)
Great to hear from you! Yep I decided I needed to keep my toe in the general fiction waters just so I can skip in the odd ‘must read’ novel. It also ensure that I can read New York-based novels, and have the facility to add in Vann Booy and Barry’s debut novels when they arrive on the scene (see there’s method in my madness
Speak soon
With warmest regards and affection
Rob
Hooray! That’s more like it!
says:
Well I couldn’t stop letting the world know about the wonderful Nik Perring could I?
Seriously though Nik, thank you for all of your support. You’ve been a legend.
With warmest regards
Rob
Any time. Really though, thank YOU for doing this!
PS I hope that means that there WILL be a Van Booy follow up…!
says:
Emmm…still thinking about the Van Booy follow up Nik.I’ll see
Bravo! Best news I’ve had today
Looking forward to seeing all your plans come to fruition.
Col
says:
Colin,
You’re a real star. Thank you, as always, for your undying support.
With warmest regards
Rob
Yeah! I’m really pleased to hear it. I look forward to seeing v2
says:
Jackie,
Great ot hear from you! Well I decided that there was no way that I was bowing out before convincing you that short stories are the greatest story form of all. I know that’s going to take me a while, so I’m in it for the long haul
With warmest regards and affection
Rob
says:
pleased your stopping ,you have always inspired my blogging rob ,you re genorsity of spirit and willingness to spread book love is second to none rob ,great news would have been gutted if you’d had gone ,all the best stu
says:
Stu,
As always, thank you for the kind words. You’re definitely an A-Category buddy!
Warmest
Rob
rob — it seems like I missed what was going on; I was recently on vacation and had to skip over a lot of blogs. However, and whatever, I’m glad you are persisting with your blog and thinking of Rob 2.0!
says:
Valerie,
You’ll be glad you missed it (although in reality everything was said on a personal. private level). Thank you for your kind words of support
With warmest regards and affection
Rob
Hooray!
says:
Onwards and upwards Lizzy! Thank you for your undying support
Rob
Thank god for that. I don’t have to come round with my heavies, gaffer tape you to a chair and force you to continue blogging. The only question now is what shall I do with these heavies, they want employment…
says:
Oh, we can’t have that now William can we? I’ll send over a list of emm…’chores’
Warmest
Rob
Glad to hear you’re sticking around, Rob! It would have been a real tragedy if you had left the blogging world. I hope that you reach your goals and that, most of all, you have fun doing it!
says:
Kristen,
You are a real friend. Thank you for the warm words of support
Warmest regards and affection
Rob