The sun is rising sooner-the day grows longer. Novel #8 is coming together quite nicely and novel #4 is going through its final proofreading before make its way to self-publishing platform. Rejections flow in like cockroaches into an empty apartment for short stories submitted and new ideas for more, pile up in my head-I don't care. I write for myself. if you ever get the chance, watch the film, 'Finding Forrester' with Rob Brown and Sean Connery. Understand Forrester-you understand me. That is all! Slainte!

January to me is the 'Dead Month' The coldest time of year for us here in the Midwest with, no readings, no open mics, no workshops--nothing. But, the best month for reading and tea drinking--together. A robe, a couch a good novel and a hot cup. Of course I will also be writing. Nothing beats writing. Eight novels down and none of them published. Think I'll try to get at least on the market--maybe in a couple days, though. The process kind of interrupts  my writing--jumping through publishers hoops isn't writing. It's anguishing. As a child, 'Once Upon A Time...' was something to look forward to, as an old man, it is the same. Except, now I am the story teller--to myself!

So busy writing-no time for blogging. Decided to really push to get one of eight novels published. I suspect another year will pass before that time... Farewell, til then

Look how long its been since I blogged last! Okay, now that you've looked-go do something productive! :D
​

Workshops... I workshop a great deal. They keep me in touch. Otherwise, I might fall off the edge of the world. Figuratively of course (I know the world is not flat). The problem with Workshopping is, well... there are a lot of things that are wrong with workshopping. Its supposed to be an educational moment, always keep that in mind. Keep an open mind.
When one leaves their writing confines and comes out into the real world (reality?), you leave your Creativity Freedom behind. It is like you have now been boxed up.
You are with several other people who are also in that box and in order for the instructor (who is also a writer, but considered to be a better writer) to instruct. You all need to be on the same page. Now, I'm not saying there is no creativity. Creative moments come in workshop when you are given an exercise and you are unleashed for 10, maybe 15 minutes to write something prompted. Then back in the box for organized sharing.
​I have to admit though, something happens to you during this period of time, whether it be for a weekend, a weeklong, or longer. I can't really explain it. Maybe it was that--out of all that crap that was spewed during that time period, someone said something that changed how you viewed some element of writing. Of the storytelling.
Then you are released from the box at the close. You return to your creative space. Away from the group. Away from the classroom. With you, came that one little thing that you are now going to be able to use. That one little obscure thing that can't be seen until someone who reads your stuff notices the change in your words upon some page that you diligently slaved over. Then your work blossoms. Like a flower that last year was only pink, but this year it emerged with its petals laced in crimson.
​There was evolution. There was growth. One little thing that changed, everything.

I have often entered writing contests. Mostly at my own expense. I have never won, or became 2nd or 3rd place. Always the kindly rejection notice. Sometimes the, "Well, you were one of the finalists, but..."

​This is, technically, writing for the market with a financial cost. Still, a slap in the face and one of the worst because you paid a fee. Yet, because I, as many others did, basically stood in a line, expecting just that. Its masochistic.
​So, never again.

​Rejection is hard enough to take without actually paying money for it. You have to deal with the tough skin rule that is so blatantly conveyed if you want to be published. So, yes, I will query and submit, going for the thick skin--just not with the 'All skin penetrating blade' that comes with paying fees.

Other than feeling the lion at the door, I am presently not in the mood to share. Hope you enjoy my new tale!

Submissions have been made and the waiting shall commence! Poetry and prose have been transmitted electronically. Two poems sent to 'Kind of Hurricane press' - So Simple & Memories Cascade Like Water Down My Day, for their Reflection Anthology and then there was the earlier rejection of Somewhere in the Neighborhood of My Childhood that was rejected for the Emergence Collection, but than accepted for the digital read: Pyrokinection ,TBA. Finally, to top it off, Harry's Predicament, a flash fiction piece for Fortyflashes (Whortleberry Press). So, other than being in the third rewrite of my 7th novel-My Summer of Kathy, a coming of age story, I take the time to pet my dog and nap, oh! and I think whiskey may fall in there, somewhere. Slainte!

The short story is up! It will be coming to you in three parts.
​Enjoy!

Am currently working on a new short for this webpage. Hoping to have something new for your reading pleasure by mid August! Please don't leave me now! Hoping everyone liked 'The last Time In Charlottenberg'. I am presently working on my 7th novel. Between trying to rewrite and revise that, and summer school for writers, I've been kind of busy!