Really been in a bit of a slump or something

[oursin]

Last year (probably longer) was not a period of outstanding productivity.

In previous years, if I had had two reviews running behind schedule, it was usually because I had other stuff taking priority. But this time it was just about inertia.

The lack of other stuff might - I suppose - possibly mean that I was getting better at saying no to writing chapters and articles I didn't want to do and suggesting suitable other people (and possibly there are just more people about working in the general field, which helps). Though I still ended up doing the chapter with BB L that neither of us wanted to do and contemplating and doing which had both of us practically projectile vomiting at the sheer tedium of the task.

It might also mean that (see comment above about more people in the field) mean that I am no longer automatic Go-To-Girl for a variety of topics.

Or just that I am past my sell-by date, except, I am still getting asked for occasional stuff that there is apparently no other obvious person to do.

But did I, not being under pressure to produce articles, chapters, conference papers that other people had solicited from me, generate any new work of my own? (Or get back to writing fiction...)

No. Even the things I did do were largely reworkings and revisions of existing material.

Okay, I will concede that two extended bouts of Lingering Lurghi within six months of one another are not conducive to anything much. Plus, I did have hanging over me the prospect that editor might get back to me about biography demanding extensive revision and cuts, which was rather deterrent to starting up any entirely new project.

I will also concede that after several fairly frantic years of cascading deadlines, perhaps I needed to get off the carousel for a bit.

There was also the thing about the new hours and other issues at work which may have disrupted certain patterns and rhythms.

But it hasn't felt like me at all.