Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Brain Cloud

I think I may have one of those Brain Clouds. You know, that weird condition that's portrayed in that one movie, Joe vs. the Volcano? Not entirely sure. I may have to ask for a second opinion.

This last week has been exceptionally busy. Oodles of work, little to no free time at all, and the house needed (and still needs) some serious uppaging. Yes. I made up that word. Copyrighted. Five cents every time someone says it. All proceeds go to charity. S.W.A.N. The Starving Writers of American Novelists.

Now for something more serious. This weekend I had a blast fixing a broken window sill and going to the CONduit convention on Friday, to which I met a new array of friends and celebrated Paul Genesse's book launch for The Dragon Hunters. That was fun. Saturday, I traveled south with the Fam for the Scandinavian festival. I wrote in the car on the way, but the new material felt forced. However, the authentic meatballs cured that oversight. After a relaxing Sunday, I took a Memorial Day drive in the mountains. Nothing like clean mountain air to clear things up.

And now, back to work with even more oodles of things to take care of. I'll be lucky to do any writing at all, but that won't stop me. I have to make the time! Adios, sleep!

We're still waiting to hear from Shadow Mountain to see what they think of The Dragon's Heart. As soon as information becomes available, I will post it. Until then, keep those squirrels busy.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Bugs and Slugs

Getting a bug makes you feel like a slug.

Since Thursday, I've played host to a nasty virus that's placed me, my wife, and son out of commission for the last six days. Nasty stuff. I don't recommend it. Taking care of one family member is hard in and of itself, but the whole family unit? Lately we've been calling our home "The Contamination Zone". "Ground Zero" and "Infection Control" were already taken. Darn copywrite laws. This has put a damper on my writing, as you can imagine, and I have piles of things to take care of when I go back to work. I'm actually looking forward to it. Working at a hospital is a tricky business, since I can't afford to spread my germs around, you know?

Before this plague hit, I was able to finish chapter 4 (4k words) and started 5, but I haven't touched Word in almost a week now. Can't promise chapter 5 will be done this week either. Lot's of stuff going on this weekend. CONduit convention in Salt Lake, a Scandinavian festival (a nice research op for my current novel), and I want to squeeze in a viewing of Terminator Salvation somewhere in there. Hey. I write Sci-Fi. I can't pass up a movie about killer robots! No way!

Soon I will be as right as rain. Now the question is, how is rain right? Is it ever wrong?

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Back at the Grind

Vacation is over. Now back to work. What to do next?

This post will be short this week, as there isn't much to report on, but I will say that my family is great, supportive, and as always, awesome! Listening to my niece play music that she wrote, inspired by my novel The Dragon's Heart, brought a tear to my eye (okay, okay. Several). Thanks guys, for everything. I plan to keep you posted on the current submission review once I hear word from the editor. Let's hope for the best!

I'm now putting all efforts on my collaboration novel, starting with chapter 4, and moving on until the whole book is finished. Should be done by August or September, the first draft, anyway.

Have a great week. Keep your smiles high. People do notice.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

R&R and a few ZzZzZz...

It's hard to imagine that I haven't written anything in the past 5 days. That's...inconceivable!

That's because everyone needs a break now and again, and so far this has been a fun and memorable trip. I mean, all work and no play makes Dave a wishy washy boy, or something.

I've spent the last 5 days driving through Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois in a couple of days with my wife and son, getting acquainted with my new niece and nephews, finally getting to meet people who've read my work and listen to what they had to say about it (good stuff), and getting to know them as well. To meet complete strangers who've read a book that I wrote is rather intimidating! Also I left a few new copies of The Dragon's Heart with my family to distribute while we await word from Shadow Mountain Press. Keep those fingers crossed!

Updates: Nothing new, but gathering lots of ideas. This next week I'm visiting with my parents, and I promised my collaborative partner that I'd work on chapter 4 if I ever had the chance. Now's a good time. I better get a page or two in before everyone wakes up. Stay tuned for more.

Hopefully your week is the best you've ever had. You read this post, so you deserve it.

Why did the dog eat the hamburgur on the floor? Because it was there! :P