The Latest Happenings of the Horsts, and their Amazing Community of Writers
Posted: Sunday, January 22, 2012
by Bruce Horst
WryteStuff
It's been a while since I've posted, and at the risk of reminding everyone that I actually do exist, I thought I would write a short update.
Life has been good these past few months. Jean and I have settled into a routine that is very different than it used to be, but it's an easy routine. Gone is the roller-coaster ride that we were on while our sole source of income was Google, Inc. Now we both receive regular paychecks and beginning February 1st, we'll be receiving full benefits from my job, which includes health insurance for our family. This is a luxury I haven't had for nearly a decade, and believe me, I'll sleep better at night because of it.
It's been a huge change for us to find regular jobs, but Jean and I both work with people who genuinely care for us and are good friends. We live in an age where it can be difficult to find any kind of job and we feel fortunate that we not only have jobs, but we have good jobs, and we work with people whom we really enjoy. It sounds funny to put it this way, but it's a lot like SearchWarp, on a local level.
I've never written about it in detail before, but my job requires me to learn the programming platform which has replaced the platform that our existing websites are based on. WryteStuff uses a programming language that has not been supported for 10 years now. The new language is much more complex, but it has much more potential. Frequently I come home from work saying that I've learned new things that day that I will probably use the rest of my life. Yeah, I know that sounds pretty dramatic, but it makes me feel good that at 45 years old I'm still able to re-invent myself and learn new things. I sure have done a lot of that lately. What this means for WryteStuff is that eventually it's all going to have to be redesigned using this new technology. This is a task I've got mixed feelings about. The site has gone though two major redesigns in the past two years, and I haven't completely finished the first redesign.
At the same time, the new technology will allow new features that I could barely dream about before. If you are a writer who wants to have the broadest readership possible, I think you'll love these new features. Unfortunately some of them will take years to be implemented.
Jean and I have been trying to look at long-range goals instead of just the short-term. We've got lists of things we want to see in 1 year, 5 years, and 7 years. I sure hope you were planning on sticking around for a while!
We don't get to leave many comments, but Jean and I are still reading every article that comes through the pipe.
Many of you know the journey that Jean and I have been on for the past few years and you know that we've had to walk away from things which were profoundly a part of us and our lives. Time is supposed to heal all things, and it certainly helps. We're doing better now. I can easily see how much better things are now than they were 6 months ago, and I can easily see they will be even better 6 months from now.
I'm sorry that I haven't been able to respond to email the way I used to. I constantly think about the new articles I'd like to write, but unfortunately I don't even have the time to respond to the comments on such articles. Someday I will.
I'm currently working on a project that will help writers become syndicated, and I'm also working on a project that will help writers publish their books and ebooks. It sure is a slow process, but I believe it will be worth it.
I remain convinced the best is yet to come and I sincerely hope that you can face your daily chores with the same conviction.
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More commentsHi Bruce (and Jean :)).
I'm glad to hear that things are good for you. I was a bit worried for a while. But you guys know how to land on your feet, so I shouldn't have been concerned. Plucky and obstinate. :)
Big hugs,
Dianne
Thanks for the update. Indeed it is a "good job" when you enjoy that which you do. That is a benefit within itself, less stress in learning.
Thanks for your help and support. Who gave you the 4 stars? Jean?
Good luck in a endeavors
Bruce,
All good news! You have many friends and writers supporting you and Jean.
Oh well thats my email that I sent to today having no response. But what the heck, your reason for not being able to reply out-weighs the importance of my query. Good luck to you and Jean, oh another thing, which I think I can speak for others as well as myself - we certainly plan on sticking around.
Kacy
In the six years I've been with SearchWarp (WryteStuff) the site has improved tremendously keep up the good work.
Glad to hear your doing well bruce i also have been thinking of getting back to writing as a Hobby just became a member as of today,and famiarising mysef with the site.
It was so nice to read the update Bruce. Like you, I constantly think of things I'd like to write but am kept from it these days. Today I am enjoying reading again on Wrytestuff which only reminds me why I miss it so much. I'm so happy to hear you, Jean and your family are doing well. I'm glad to hear about the health benefits. Living here, I can't know what that must feel like to not have them. Congratulations on both of your new jobs, it's tough starting over at this age, but you can more than handle it. All the best, Brianna
Bruce, I've only just seen this. I've been wondering how you and Jean are doing, and it's really good to hear that you're doing well and have some security. Congrats on the good jobs, it's what you both deserve, also on reinventing yourself.
For a moment, when I got to the bit where you say you have to redesign WryteStuff but you had mixed feelings about it, I thought you were going to say you might have to let it go. My heart dropped out of my body! I sat here thinking what life would be like without this amazing community, and without you and \Jean in my life. I would mourn, truly.
So, as far as the future is concerned, I know I plan to be around! Thanks for everything so far. Lots of love to both of you.
I continue to be happy being on your crew. I believe in both of you and wish that you can continue to be strong. You are a good man.
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