For most people, New Year's doesn't start until January. As an educator, September feels like a new year. Somehow, though, I've got a third beginning: July. Let me explain. July 2013, faced with great difficulties, after a very long hiatus, I returned to writing. July 2015, my hard work paid off and I traveled to … Continue reading Happy New…July?
Year In Review
So, another year ending, and time to review. My plans for 2018 were (achieved goals struck through): Complete the MFA thesis novel (military fantasy) by February 1. (August 15, but still done!) Complete my craft essay by February 12. (Done.) Develop a paper into an academic article and send it out to the appropriate journals. … Continue reading Year In Review
Yes or No? Stay or Go?
Sometimes, decisions have to be made. Saying no to one thing means saying yes to something else. It is a hard decision when both are really good, plus there's the sunk-cost fallacy to factor in. (Tuition dollars, time spent, etc.) My dilemma was simple: get the Ph.D.? After all, for eight years as an adjunct … Continue reading Yes or No? Stay or Go?
Dreams, Deadlines and Diplomas….
Piles of papers vie for my attention right now. Digital files also compete on any given day. Some are for the day job, some are for graduate school work and the novel. Four and a half weeks from now, I pick up my regalia. Five weeks out, I go to the Futurescapes workshop. In six … Continue reading Dreams, Deadlines and Diplomas….
Breakthrough
I am so happy. December 5th, 2016 is a special day---it was the day I first had a short story published! "Satyrday Night Special" is live at Teleport Magazine. It feels good to have a publication credit to my name. Dreams do come true! I began writing in 2013 to make reality palatable---hiding in my … Continue reading Breakthrough
Post Paradise (Viable, that is)
Viable Paradise (VP) was affirming, life-changing, leveling up, and all sorts of good stuff. I can say that despite sleep deprivation. If you are an aspiring fantasy or sci-fi writer, apply! I made new friends, and it was fantastic. We're all on this crazy and wonderful journey together. I've always thought writers should help and … Continue reading Post Paradise (Viable, that is)
Paradise Gained
Carpe sagmarius! (Seize the summer!) That's been the motto for my writing life. A lot of editing and submitting have come out of it. And it's been worth it. Paradise has been gained! And by that, I mean Viable Paradise XX. Viable Paradise, that one week in October where two dozen hand picked hopefuls gather … Continue reading Paradise Gained
Free or Reasonable?
There has been a lot of internet chat about creatives being expected to work for free, or for exposure. I attended a writers conference this weekend, where an editor made a good point. He pointed out that the query letter is a professional letter, because you have a product which needs to be sold. You … Continue reading Free or Reasonable?
Favorite Day of the Year
I thought long and hard about this. I have several. First up, my birthday. October is a pleasant month, with changing leaves and the feeling that transformation is on the horizon. I enjoy Thanksgiving, especially now that I don't need to clean the house for it. February 15th, half-price chocolate day. Hmm.... How do you … Continue reading Favorite Day of the Year
Taos Toolbox Post-Mortem
My suitcase is unpacked, life is beginning to return to something approaching a normal rhythm, and yet things feel strange. My head is crammed full of new knowledge. If you're serious about writing, I cannot say enough good things about Toolbox. What I took away from Toolbox: 1. Writing is a job, a career, a … Continue reading Taos Toolbox Post-Mortem
Writing Mercenary 