Published on
February 24, 2010.
February is coming to a close and I’m scrambling like mad. Clarion closes to applications on March 1st. One application story is done. I have a second one more or less ready, but I’m debating a last minute replacement.
I’m putting the grind wheel and polish to my as yet untitled story for the Scheherazade’s Facade anthology, due February 28th. It’s shaping up into something that makes me happy. I pushed myself when writing this and for that reason I’m also considering using it as my second Clarion story.
I’ll be getting back to schedule after these deadlines have passed. I’m behind on updating my goals and schedule but the progress I’ve made, despite being knocked on my ass for a few weeks, is satisfying.
Published on
February 18, 2010.
My mom had reconstructive ankle surgery to correct some of long-term damage caused by polio so I spent the last few weeks with her, doing laundry and cooking and whatnot. I also took the opportunity to wear down my annual deductible and get a few lingering medical issues looked at. And while in Illinois, I picked up a rather nasty flu that has wiped me out completely.
Most of the effects of the flu are gone, knock on wood. My energy seems to be the last thing to return. I’ve been regularly sleeping 10-12 hours/day, which is a far cry from my usual 6-7. It’s cut into my writing time severely, including updates here and on twitter. I suspect I’ll be back to normal in a few more days and will be back to work on things. End of month deadlines that must be met, flu or no flu.
Published on
February 11, 2010.
Not only is Kyle Cassidy a heck of a photographer, writer and teacher, he is also one hell of a nice guy. I had a lucky chance to meet and learn a few photography skills some months back. He learned that I was also a writer and offered to send me one of his extra fountain pens. I very nearly squeed.
I’ve been interested in fountain pens for as long as I can remember. When I was young I used some cheap, cartridge-filled pens on occasion but fell out of habit as I aged. I always admired fountain pens from afar, and lived vicariously through my friend Dierdre and her pen obsession. That pen from Kyle, an old Arnold sitting on the bladder transplant list, resparked that old passion. This past Christmas I received brethren to join my collection.
The awesome Kyle is running a contest on his blog and the lucky winners will also receive a nifty fountain pen that is in need of love and affection. Go there. Make a semi-anonymous post with a picture of your notebooks, assuming you’re like us and write longhand, as well as a small writing sample – a poem, a paragraph, a snappy retort, whatever.
Published on
February 2, 2010.
Week 4 ended on a bit of a downer. I’d been doing well, writing a bit each day but the streak came to an end. I drafted two short stories and three flash fiction. I started a fourth but it wasn’t ready to be told. Instead of forcing it, I skipped a day.
Somewhere along the way, I caught a nice little cold/flu, was diagnosed with some vitamin deficiencies (insert scurvy joke here, matey) and started a few new prescribed drugs. Needless to say, it’s taken a toll on my energy levels. Falling asleep at 9pm and sleeping for 11 hours is definitely not what I would call my normal. Hopefully the worst of this will pass in a few days.
My goals throughout February are slightly changed (I’ll update my goals list when I have more energy). So named by Andrea, February is now Type Edit Polish Submit (TEPS) month. Type up draft zero and whip it into shape, clean it up, and send it to market. This should be good practice for me. Writing first drafts is easy; I have twenty of them in that state. Editing is the hard work and the thing I need the most work at.
