It’s not quite a new year yet, but I generally take this time at the end of the year to reflect on what I have accomplished and look ahead to what I want to do in the new year. This year has been very busy for me. I have finished two books, self-published one and found a new job. It’s been quite the year and next year will hold a few changes for me (not the least of which is the new job).
There are a few things I would have liked to have done differently this year. I missed hosting the Summer 100 Sex Blogger Challenge. I didn’t participate in nearly as many memes as I would have liked. I severely neglected my SOSS posts and, as a consequence, I didn’t read nearly as many blog posts from other sex bloggers as I would have wanted.
As 2020 is going to be even busier than 2019, I need to make some changes. I want to keep blogging and writing, but I also want to enjoy what I am doing. Therefore, I am going to have to give something up. I started this blog with the hope to do something fun. To express myself, to get to know like-minded people and as a form of self-care. In this past year, I have lost my joy for blogging a little bit, which I am really sad about.
So. To make sure I recapture my joy for blogging, I am going to stop reviewing sex toys. I never really made any money off it anyway. Affiliate links don’t earn me any revenue as I would have to spend a lot more time and energy on promoting myself and my affiliate links in order to make any decent money. Time and energy I simply don’t have. I am not getting paid for my sex toy reviews either.
Reviewing sex toys was fun when I first started. I love getting new toys and figuring out what worked with my body and what didn’t. But sex toy reviews are a LOT of work. You need to thoroughly test them, which, when you have limited time (or privacy) is a real pain. You have to take pictures, upload them and then write the article. You have to make sure you use your affiliate links in the article, even though the chances are you won’t make any money off it. Sex toy reviews are not something I can do openly in our household as we have young children. So that adds another layer of complexity and annoyance.
So, in the spirit of only keeping that which gives me joy, I will no longer review sex toys. I love the toys I have and if I need/want another one, I will just buy it (it’s not like I will ever get the chance to review the Doxy). The Hot Octopuss AMO is the last sex toy review I have written and it feels good to say that.
This does not mean that my blog is going away. Instead of sex toy reviews, I will write more “think pieces” to use a nice term. I will also publish more short stories and flash fiction. Those are the pieces I enjoy writing anyhow, so that will fit well with my philosophy on focusing on things that I enjoy. My day job is busy enough and I have come to the realisation that this blog is not going to ever replace my day job. I don’t have enough spare time to really make this blog a financial success and I don’t have enough money to work part-time. So if my blog is going to remain “just a hobby”, I may as well enjoy what I do with it. I don’t want to feel like I have two jobs (which is how I have felt that past few months).
I am very much looking forward to getting back to reading other bloggers’ posts and to participate in memes. I miss the sense of community I had when I first started blogging and I want to get that back. And, based on how well The Insatiable Jane Travers is doing, I am planning to self publish another book in 2020 (it’s already written, just needs to be edited).
Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best for 2020!
The Insatiable Jane Travers is out now!
It’s the roaring twenties.
Desperate to escape the stifling confines of her life with her aunt and uncle in New York, Jane Travers arrives at her friend Rachel’s country home determined to enjoy a summer full of fun and excitement. Rachel has promised her risqué parties, but what awaits Jane is beyond her wildest dreams. Guided by her old flame, Sidney Fitzroy, and the sensual singer Lillian Smith, Jane enthusiastically embarks on a journey of sexual self-discovery.
With Sidney and Lillian both satisfying her deepest desires, Jane sheds her restrictive upbringing and embraces her newfound freedom. As her feelings for both Lillian and Sidney intensify, Jane faces an impossible choice: a stable future with Sidney or a lifetime of excitement with Lillian.
But how can she choose when her heart belongs to both of them?
That’s what I prefer writing and reading, too. The sex toy reviews are kind of a pain in the ass. I do them, but have relegated them to Sundays. I have a very intricate blogging schedule to ensure that I hit all the hot buttons I want and still maintain connection with others. It’s not easy, but I can’t imagine giving up my blog. You’re making a good decision. These toy companies get a lot of free work out of us “small” bloggers.
I am so proud of you and excited for you. I love to see fellow authors doing well and enjoying what they love. I wish you all the luck in the world and cant wait to read your next one. People, if you haven’t read The Insatiable Jane Travers, you should check it out; its absolutely awesome!!!