The Time Has Come
INGRID THOFT
This is a bittersweet post for me to write, but it’s time to let you know that I'm hanging up my red, leopard print pashmina in the coming weeks and leaving Jungle Red. This was not an easy decision to make, and it was driven by a lack of time—not enthusiasm—for the blog and the JRW community. My nearly two years as part of this amazing group of women has been terrific, and I look forward to transitioning to the role of enthusiastic fan.
The blog has introduced me to so many wonderful writers, offered travel tips, book recommendations, and a respite from the bad news that seems to be ever-present. It also gave me the chance to pick the brains of writers I love and share that with readers. Chevy Stevens, Nick Petrie, David Joy, Meg Gardiner, Linda Fairstein, and Carla Buckley are just some of the writers who answered my questions and yours.
This will come as no surprise, but the Jungle Red Writers are a group of funny, smart, supportive women who have enriched my life. Behind-the-scenes, if someone is overwhelmed or life throws her a curve ball, the others step in seamlessly and offer support and guidance. Having technical difficulties with a post? Someone will wrestle with Blogger and fix the problem. Frustrated with your publisher? The Reds will chime in with their horror stories and offer you advice. A family crisis? They’re on it. As one of four daughters and an alumna of a women’s college, I’ve spent my life in groups of terrific women: Jungle Red Writers is one of the best.
Lastly, the Jungle Red readers are an extraordinary bunch. Thoughtful, perceptive, smart, encouraging—
you all are an integral part of this blog. Your comments are insightful and funny, and your fierce loyalty is without compare. I am a better writer and reader for having spent time with all of you.
This is the last day I’m in charge of the blog, but I’m not disappearing; I’ll still be a Red for a couple more weeks. Then I will be out of touch on a long-planned scuba diving and snorkeling trip in the South Pacific. Barring an unplanned shark encounter, I’ll be back after Thanksgiving and checking in regularly as a fan. Thanks to all of you for making this a wonderful experience.
Ingrid, we’ve all been blessed to get to know you as one of the Jungle Reds . . . thank you for sharing your time, your thoughts, your talents. We hate to see you go, but we wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone can relate to having their time stretched too thin, and there's nothing wrong with stepping back when you need to. I've enjoyed reading your posts, and I hope you have a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteIngrid, I will miss your posts, but I look forward to reading your comments on the blog when you return from vacation. And please keep us informed on the publications of your future books. I need to know what’s going on in Fina’s life!
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best in all your endeavors!
DebRo
I became a fan of yours before you joined up with JRW, but I can remember when you first joined up and I was thrilled to be able to read missives from the mind of Ingrid on a regular basis. So I'm equally bummed that you won't be doing that here as a JRW blogger anymore.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess I'll just have to keep following your posts on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on what's going on with you and the continuing adventures of Fina. And hope for another area signing in the future to come. But you shall be missed as a regular contributor here, no doubt.
And I remain a fiercely loyal and enthusiastic supporter of your work as a whole and 'Duplicity' in particular!
P.S. - Planned or unplanned, it's always a good idea to avoid encountering a shark. Just saying.
By the way Ingrid, it's been three years since I first attended that 'Brutality' signing that I wrote about here: http://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/forum/topics/meet-the-author-ingrid-thoft
DeleteIngrid, I'm so happy to have made your acquaintance here, and will miss your sparkling prose. Everything you said about our beloved JRW is true.
ReplyDeleteHappy trails!
I'll miss your posts, Ingrid, but look forward to keeping in touch as a fan.
ReplyDeleteMary/Liz
Have a wonderful trip and see you around the blog.
ReplyDeleteIngrid, you know how much we hate seeing this post, right? You've been a delightful addition to our group and we will miss you terribly. And you brought such interesting guests and perspectives to the blog, and great books, including yours of course.
ReplyDeleteBefore you go, do you mind telling us all what you're working on so we can anticipate? wishing you lots of love and luck--and please, no scuba incidents!
Ingrid, enjoy your life, keep writing, stay in touch, and remember: When swimming with sharks, don't bleed.
ReplyDeleteA bientot
Haha! Pithy advice!
DeleteWe tried to talk her into staying... :-(
ReplyDeleteBut there's less sting to it knowing she'll be back to visit. In the meanwhile, read the books! LOYALTY - IDENTITY - BRUTALITY - DUPLICITY
And follow Ingrid on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IngridThoftauthor
Already read them all! In fact I binge-read a couple. I echo Hallie's recommendation.
DeleteThanks for the link, Hallie. I do so like her book titles.
DeleteYou will be missed Ingrid!! Thank you for sharing so much; enjoy your trip to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteIngrid, you will be missed! Thank you for the posts and the insight you've shared with those of us who met you thru JRW. I'm looking forward to seeing you pop in on occasion, especially with an update on the scuba adventure!
ReplyDeleteIngrid, thank you for all the posts over the last two years... new things learned, new books to read, and, personally, the reminders of Seattle. Good wishes and please stay in touch.
ReplyDeleteI am putting my fingers in my ears and closing my eyes and refusing to believe this! You know, gang, we tried to talk her out of it— Ingrid is amazing, fabulous, supportive, brilliant, a dear friend to all of us in every way. Yes, she is working on a fabulous new book, and we are sitting on go to celebrate when it comes out,. Ingrid, we refuse to let you go away, and you will always always always be a Red. Please do not hang up your pashmina, but hang onto it, and we are your stalwart pals.
ReplyDeleteThank you, endlessly , for two wonderful years. Yes, we have all been through a lot together, and you an amazing friend and colleague. Yes yes, tell us about your new book! Readers, let’s send Ingrid a standing ovation!
Happy to have known you and your books through JRW. Happy that you'll keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting Great Barrier Reef in a few weeks. Who knows, maybe we will meet.
Ingrid, I have so much enjoyed you as a Red! Sometimes we all do need to take a step back from something that we love and enjoy, simply for self-care or any other reason! You sure have lots of fans here on Jungle Red who will continue to look for your books! Best wishes to you for a safe and relaxing break!
ReplyDeleteSharks?! You are amazing, Ingrid! I understand the challenge of straddling that line between life and work - it is an ever changing boundary that keeps you on your toes. I’m looking forward to hearing about your diving adventures and also your future books! Do keep us posted on all things Ingrid. I will miss your wit, wisdom, encouragement, and brilliant insights, my friend. XO
ReplyDeleteIngrid, we will miss you so much!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you are leaving, Ingrid. You've added so much to the Reds, and you've always had wonderful and engaging ideas for posts. Have a great time in the South Pacific, and I'll look forward to seeing you as a fan when you get back from swimming with sharks.
ReplyDeleteHere's the standing ovation, applauding now! Will miss your posts but look forward to your comments.
ReplyDeleteIngrid, thank you for your wonderful posts. I enjoyed them very much. The Jungle Reds have introduced me to many wonderful authors. Hope to see you at future mystery novel conferences.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Ingrid, it was such a joy following your adventures via your posts. I will miss your insights on the writing life.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best!
Kate
Standing ovation from me, too, Ingrid. I have enjoyed your books, and enjoyed many of the authors you have introduced us to here as well. I'm sorry to see you leave, but I understand being stretched too thin. Best of luck on the next book, have a great time on vacation, and maybe you can talk the other Reds into giving you a guest slot now and then, when you have scuba pictures to share?
ReplyDeleteWell, gee, Ingrid! So sorry to see you go. I'm looking forward to reading your next book and wish you all the best. Stay safe on those dives, too. ;^)
ReplyDeleteOh Ingrid, I hate to see you go. You embody all the great qualities of the Reds, a perfect fit to this outstanding group of women. You always strike me as an even keel type of person, the person anyone would love to have standing by her/his side through happy and sad, as you are able to hold onto a steadiness we all strive for. If you need to step aside here and take another direction right now, I absolutely trust that it is the path you need to follow. But, again, I will miss your writings here and your lovely presence. I do hope you're able to visit often. And, as Hank suggested, I am giving you a standing ovation! Enjoy your upcoming diving adventures. Love that you embrace life so.
ReplyDeleteIngrid, we will so miss you! I do understand the "stretched too thin" part, but you have been such a wonderful addition to the group. I hope you will come back often, and keep us posted on your writing and your adventures. Here's a standing ovation all the way from London!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Ingrid, you will be missed! Looking forward to seeing you on the other side of the comment line though - please do keep in touch, and all the best. Have a great time on the dive trip - you're diving my lifer!
ReplyDeleteIngrid, I get the feeling that 'once a Red, always a Red', so you will be missed, but you'll take a little bit of our JRW friendship with you wherever you go. Wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteIngrid, I will miss your posts and comments so very, very much!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a pleasure reading your thoughts. Has it really been almost two years? Time surely flies when we're having fun.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you Ingrid as you leave JRW. It's seems like yesterday when you joined the group of amazing writers/women! The word that has come to mind when I read your posts and comments is "encourager". What a wonderful innate trait to possess!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to see you go Ingrid. I understand about having to split time between what you need to do and what you want to do. Best of luck to you and jump in on the comments when you can.
ReplyDeleteShalom Reds. Shalom Ingrid. I understand. Each day has but a finite number of hours. And each year has 365(6) days. I recently said to myself that I was not going to waste such a large amount of time on Facebook. Instead of dwindling, my notifications doubled. I follow a few blogs but not daily. Jungle Red Writers, I at least read every day. It started six years ago when I got my first smartphone. The service provider gave me unlimited data on the phone from the start. I quickly found that I could, from the comfort of my bed, download mystery novels from the library. I read and listened to them voraciously. Somehow or another I found Deborah Crombie. I read her entire series with the exception of a short story, that I can not seem to find. And somehow by surfing the web, I learned of JRW. Now, my TBR list is way out of control. To bring balance back to life, I need to stop reading so many emails. Ingrid, I have friends who love to dive. They are as compulsive with it, as I am reading or listening to books. I hope your scuba vacation is all that it should be and I will follow you wherever I can until Thanksgiving and beyond.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for these lovely messages! Thanks, Lucy for the push to fill you in on the next book. SUBMERGED will be out in early 2020 (not as far away as it seems) and then the fifth book in the Fina Ludlow series will follow. I look forward to return visits as a guest!
ReplyDeleteI'm tempted to cry out, "No, please stay!", but that is selfish. Instead, I'll just say, "Thank you" for all you've shared with us and tell you how glad I am to know you aren't going away completely but merely switching seats.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ingrid, for adding your voice to the fabulous JRW crew. They, and you, have enlightened, bought laughter and somehow created a community through this odd internet thing. I was fortunate enough to hear you speak at a conference and immediately read my way through your books. I'm looking forward to Submerged and your "guest" JRW appearances.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be missed by Reds readers.
ReplyDeleteWhen can we expect another installment of Fina. Ludlow? Totally enthralled with your prose and style, expressed by Fina so eloquently.
ReplyDelete