The End of the Trail

Keith Fisher asked me, once, not too long ago, if I would keep the Blogck going if anything happened to him. Looking back, he must have had an idea of what was to come, though he gave no hint of it at the time. Now I'm left with the heartbreaking job of deciding what's to become of his legacy here. It's a trust that I do not take lightly; I have agonized over it. After discussing the options with my fellow blogger here, C. Michelle and I have come to the following conclusion.

From his first post in July 1996, Keith became the backbone of the Blogck. When everyone else moved on, he kept it going - faithfully posting almost every week of the nine years the site has been in existence. For the better part of a decade, Keith was the solid voice behind the Blogck, 

Those who ever had the blessing of meeting Keith know what a great person he was. He had a big, vibrant personality within a gruff, mountain man exterior. He loved his wife, who he called his sweetheart, he was my go-to authority for dutch oven cooking, and he loved to write. He carried this blog for the love of the readers that came here to read what he had to share.  

Without him, the Blogck seems empty. I can't bring myself to fill his shoes here, I feel unqualified to even try. Somehow, it seems he took the spirit of this place with him when he left.  

And, somehow, that's okay.

So, with a heavy heart full of respect for a good man and his efforts for the writing community, and the love in my heart for my late friend, I'm announcing the retirement of the LDS Writers Blogck.

The archives will remain in place and available. Keith's words can live on, and continue to share the insights and lessons he shared with such loyalty and love, along with the writings of all those who have come and gone, and come back again, over the years, whose efforts we also so much appreciate.

Thank you, Keith, for your wise words, for steadfastly keeping this blog going for so long, and your friendship for all those who knew you in person, or just in words.

Thank you readers and fellow writers, for sharing our journey here. We've reached the end of this trail, and now must part.

God speed, and farewell.

So this is good bye . . .

by C. Michelle Jefferies 

As I prepare my three older children to start school tomorrow, and my youngest on next Monday I am reminded that to everything there is a season. A season to be a full time mom, a season to be a part time writer, a season to rest from creative endeavors and a time to dive in head first.

With my youngest going to school all day I will have all sorts of time to write, work, edit and the other things I have abandoned lately. This is a welcome but bittersweet moment for me. I don't have little kids in my house anymore. But I am looking toward a time where my creative pursuits can get more and well deserved attention.

With Keith's passing I am also at a changing of season. We, the junior powers that be, have decided to close the blog but leave it available and honor Keith's amazingly large and generous memory.

So to all of you who have faithfully followed, read, commented, and supported me and the others. Thank you. Good bye. Keep writing.

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish. 

I can't even . . .

I had this huge eulogy in my head all day long. As soon as I am expected to put it all on paper, or screen it's too hard. Too painful.

Keith was a huge amazing teddy bear. He was always happy, always positive, always giving everyone a smile and a hug.

One evening at storymakers conference I had been talking to a publisher, they gave me an answer that wasn't upsetting, but wasn't all positive either so I walked away a little befuddled. Keith was right there at my side making sure I was okay, that no one had said anything to hurt my feelings or make me sad. He gave me a hug and told me it was going to be all right. He made me believe in my talent, believe in myself, and to be positive.

To my dear friend, and ever protective bear. I'll miss you terribly.

Enjoy yourself up there, and see you topside.

Keith N. Fisher Obituary from the Herald

1957–2015

Keith Neff Fisher, 57, of Orem passed away on Friday August 7, 2015 in Salt Lake. Keith was born on December 9, 1957 in Provo to Phillip Neff and Carol Hettie Ostler Fisher. He attended Orem HighSCHOOL. After High School, Keith served an LDS Mission to Nova Scotia, Canada.

He worked for several companies over the years including: Mountain Country Foods, Allred Heating and Air Conditioning, then Klemp Inc., MyFamily.com (now Ancestry.com), 7-Eleven, Amico and finally atBLUEHOST.

Keith enjoyed the outdoors, working inTHE GARDEN and especially camping with his family. He was a writer and was working on a book that was just about finished. He worked with the Boy Scouts. He and his wife Wendy were the 2005 World Champion Dutch Oven Winners.

He was active in the LDS church, serving in the Elders Quorum presidency, and as Sunday School President.

Keith is survived by his wife Wendy and daughter Keisha, his mother Carol and two brothers Brent (Shauna), and Fred Fisher. He is preceded in death by his father Phillip and his grandparents Neff and Erma Fisher, Lavell and Hettie Ostler.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 15, 2015, 11:00 a.m. in the Cascade 2nd Ward, 481 East Center Street, Orem. Friends may visit with the family Friday evening from 6–8 p.m. or Saturday morning from 9:30–10:30 a.m., both at the church. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may beOFFERED to the family online at www.walkersanderson.com

See the original HERE

Keith N. Fisher, Funeral to be Held Saturday

Keith Neff Fisher, 57, passed away Friday August 7, 2015 in Orem, Utah. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday August 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cascade 2nd Ward Chapel 481 East Center Street, Orem. A viewing will be held Friday August 14, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday August 15, 2015 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be held at the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walkersanderson.com

Sad News, I'm Afraid...

With a shattered heart, I am here to let our readers know that Keith Fisher passed away this morning.
I will post a day and time for his funeral when I learn the details.

WRITING PROMPT WEDNESDAY

Describe a flower garden, but you may not use the names of any colors.

A Momentary Lull

For those of our regular readers who aren't aware Keith Fisher, our main author and backbone of the Blogck, has been having some health issues as of late. Last Saturday may be the first time in ten years he has not been here to post.

So for the moment, you're kinda stuck with me. (Please don't run screaming from the room...) I've promised Keith I will keep this blog up and going till he gets back to take the helm once again.  I know, I know - the sooner he gets back the better, right?

In all seriousness, though, we wish Keith a quick and easy recovery. Any prayers in his direction would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure.  All comments and well wishes left here will be forwarded to him.

Hurry back, Keith! Get well soon!

WRITING PROMPT WEDNESDAY

 Today's topic: Things I wish I didn't know now.

Growing Pains or Death Throes

Today, I'm writing about something that has been bothering me for quite a while.

Social media is going to be the downfall of civilization as we know it. Starting with writing.

When I first went to a writing conference, a hundred years ago, it was a small group of dedicated people willing to pay to garner advice from the professionals. We were thrilled to find others with the same interest, amazed at what we learned there, and energized by kindred spirits.

Ten years later, writing conferences are bigger than ever. So is the group of people that are writing books.

What once required dedication, sacrifice and practically blood is now readily available at any computer terminal. While I am not downing Indie authors, (since I am one, myself) it is ridiculously easy to publish any piece of work with little to no quality control. There is nothing to police whether it is original, plagiarized, true, accurate or even acceptably well written.

Writing is, by its very nature, a solitary pursuit. An author must have time alone and without distraction, to get those words on paper. But suddenly, thanks to social media, the job of writing now comes with extended staff - groups for research, cheering squads, critique groups comprised of people the writer may have never actually met and whose skills are unverifiable. Did the opponents of Gutenberg have the same concerns?

It is a double edged sword. One one side of it - I, myself, am involved in a writing collaboration made possible by the internet. On the other, that same site that makes this possible is the single biggest detraction from the writing I should be doing. On one side, an author doesn't have to rely on a publisher to put their work out there. On the other - electronic books make it easy to download, adjust and resell someone else's work with little to no effort. On one side, more people than ever are accomplishing their dream of publishing a novel. On the other, the craft is in danger of being cheapened by low quality, unedited, unprofessional quality dime novels flooding the book selling outlets.

So where do we draw the line between progress and keeping the best parts of the old ways?

Are these the growing pains of a rapidly expanding world, or the death throes of quality literature?