*Ahem.*
So, that whole plan to update regularly…am I right? Let’s see. It’s been about a month since the last post… *checks clipboard* Yeah. About that. Little more. So! I could make excuses, but the honest truth is I’ve just been busy and haven’t taken the time to write blog posts by hand and then type them up. I have a few fragment posts, but the thoughts there aren’t even really formed yet, so I’ve decided to let those sit. For this post, I’m going to touch on a few big things that have happened in the past month, and moving forward I’ll try to update more regularly! (*raucous internal laughter*)
Vacations & Flex Days
So mid-January and early February brought the Hubby’s last vacation days until at least some time after July, so we did a *lot*. We took the Little Guy to the Boston Aquarium for the first time, we got to the dentist (all of us) for the first time in four years, visited with friends at The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, attended the annual New England Orchid Society Show, visited my parents for a few days, saw Star Wars (loved it, of course), got a new (used) car for the Hubby so I’m not isolated at home anymore (*manic laughter of joy*), and got the Hubby down to Yale to visit his brother, which really helped him relax. It was very busy, and by the end of it, I think I was probably more tired, but we had a lot of fun! That said, getting writing done during that time? Yeah…not so much…
LitReactor Class: The Architecture of Fiction with Nick Mamatas
I just finished up the four week long class, and must say, I learned a lot. I met (virtually) many great people and some fantastic writers, and got a chance to workshop a number of short stories I’ve been battling with. I feel like I’ve come away with a ton of new information in my head, and I’m still sorting out how to apply all these things moving forward without bogging myself down in rough drafts. The biggest thing I learned was about endings, and particularly, what I’d been doing wrong time and time again with endings. This–more than anything–was what I was hoping to learn by taking this class, because my endings have been mentioned in almost every personalized rejection notes–a lack of resolution, a feeling of the story just “ending,” or that the ending is disappointing compared to what comes before. I *hate* reading stories that end like that, so it was top priority for me to resolve that. I can’t say with certainty that I’ve fixed it for good, but I know a lot more what to look for and what an ending is supposed to do. So I’m thrilled about that! If you get a chance to take this class sometime, do! You’ll learn a ton.
Pro-Sale!
ZOMG, guys. So during the class, I got a notice from my old alma mater Apex Magazine that they were accepting my dark SF short story “The Behemoth Beaches” for publication! I’m so excited, even almost three weeks later. I love this story, and I was able to apply some of the lessons I learned from the class to fixing it up even a little more. I’m so, so, so thrilled to be included in a magazine I have adored for years. I’m hoping it’s the first of many! I don’t know yet when it’s coming out, but I’ll let you know when it does. :D
Miscellany, etc.
My short contemporary fantasy story, “Snap,” is coming out soon in Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, and I’ll let you know when that’s available.
I’ve updated the Goals 2016 page, so that should now reflect this year’s plans and goals. Most importantly, I’m starting to keep a reading log to encourage (*cough* force *cough*) myself to actually think about what I’m reading. It’s been an interesting experience so far, so I’m going to keep it up!
The Little Guy has decided that 1) he will not nap unless he’s laying on me, so writing during the day has become challenging, and 2) that he dislikes going down easily at night, because bedtime is lame. So, I’m brainstorming some ways to steal a bit more (and more regular) writing time. I’ll keep you posted!
Otherwise, things continue as they are! Hope you’re all well and that the words are flowing. :)
P.S.–I stole this blog structure from Peter M. Ball at petermball.com, because it’s awesome for quick reading. :)