Sick day

So for the first time in about 4 years, I went to the doctor today.  With The Wife about to go into labor any day now, we figured it would be for the best if I was in good health during delivery day.  So I went to the doctor to check out whatever it is that has been plaguing me for the last week or so (not to mention the very painful and new symptom that introduced itself last night).

And here are the results.  After a speedy 25 minute doctor’s visit, I found out that I have a severe upper respiratory infection.  And bronchitis.  And IBS (which is a much less-embarrassing and technical way to say irritable bowel syndrome).  Some of you may think this crosses the too-much-information line, but I bring it up for a reason.  Apparently, I am eating unhealthy.  And in order for this IBS attack to properly run its course and leave me pain free, I must stay away from caffeine for at least 4-5 days.  Yes…no coffee for almost a week!

Inconceivable, I know.   But oh my God, I had no idea how badly such a common problem could hurt.  I was seriously waiting for a Geiger-inspired creature to come bursting out of my stomach at 3:30 in the morning.

On the writing front, there is not much to speak of.  It looks like one of the places that was supposed to send out final responses for their short lists is running a week or so behind.  Also, the month of March is nearly over which means that Allegory should be sending out their final decisions fairly soon.

As for Birdwatching From Mars, we are currently looking at another artist.  This was another industry that I had no idea went to such lengths to reach perfection.  This is the 5th artist we’ve worked with and, in my opinion, the best so far.  So hopefully we can bring him aboard.

Also, if there are any graphic artists out there anywhere reading this, I may have the need for some promotional work for the title.  If interested, e-mail me (e-mail info in the bio).

Well, back to work.  Sick or not, there are still reports on the effects of client satisfaction on your business to be written.  Oddly enough, I got a short story idea out of doing research for this assignment.  Maybe I’ll actually find time to start it soon.

Weekend Update (without Norm MacDonald)

(Note: …because the last time Saturday Night Live was any good was when Norm MacDonald was anchoring Weekend Update…)

As the weekend approaches, there is actually quite a bit going on with my several different writing projects.  And as usual, as I do my little checklist, I remain convinced that I am trying to work on to much at once.  So, in no partiuclar order…

About two weeks ago, I got a notice from The Yet Unnamed Comic Company concerning the artist for Birdwatching From Mars.  The artist they had taken on for the project called it quits (a pay dispute) and I was asked to choose another one.  I did, and he has apparently started doing character sketches and panel test.  I’m supposed to get some of them by the end of next week.

Also, the Still Shrouded in Secrecy Publisher that has shown interest in The Bleeding Room is being very cooperative and helpful with my edits and revisions.  And while there is still no guarantee that all of this editing will ensure that they will eventually give a resouning ACCEPTED, I am already convinced at only 5 Chapters in, that I’ll have a much better manuscript to show for it.

Also, in the course of the past week, I have added about 1,200 words to Blood Routes and 3,400 words to my Still Untitled First Book of My Series.

As far as submissions go, I received a “maybe” letter from Allegory for my short story “This Tour Don’t Roll Through Seattle”.  This is the second time I have been placed on their shortlist (I didn’t make it in last time).  It also goes in my shortlist pile which now stands at 4.  And while that is very exciting, it also has me bouncing off of the walls.

Lastly, I somehow managed to edit and basically rewrite an older short story called “The Mannerisms of Runners”.  I knocked it down from 2,050 words to about 740.  And I fear that it may be the last bit of flash fiction I write in a while.  (I currently have about 3 flash peices out for consideration).

And with that, I shall return back to work and wait for The Wife to get home.  With freelance writing there are no set hours, so closing time for me is when she gets home.

“Hi, Inbox. Remember me?”

Something’s got to give.  My Inbox is scaring me.  Typically, on an average day, I get anywhere between 15-18 e-mails.  These usually consist of story rejections and freelance-related stuff.  But ever since Monday, I think I have gotten 16 mails total.  I wonder if this is the calm before some very beautiful and life-altering storm.  I am, after all, awaiting e-mails related to the following:

• A follow-up for the hold request from Allegory for my story “Jinx”
• A yes or no on the final full read of The Bleeding Room
• Weren’t the Dia De Los Muertos replies supposed to go out sometime this month?
• Some word on my interview from Monday (hopefully this will come in the form of a phone call, but who knows?…)

The only real writing-related things to announce are fairly minor.  For instance, I have been asked to do a re-write and full 22 page treatment for what will be Issue 1 of Birdwatching from Mars(see previous posts).  I have been given the privilege of selecting some very skilled artist to work on the project and if all goes as planned, I’ll have some sketches to see very soon and the initial draft of Issue 1 looks to be done sometime in late December or early January.  More on this as it comes in.

Also, due to NaNo and my near obssesion with trying to end Broken Skies, I have only written one piece of short fiction in the past month.  This was “An Eight Becomes Two Zeros” which will be included in 52 Stitches.  This has broken my goal of trying to churn out at least an initial draft of 2 short stories every month.  However, speaking of NaNo, I have not yet admitted defeat.  I read this week that Stephen King (writing as Mr. Bachman) wrote The Running Man’s first draft in 4 days.  Of course, I’m no Stephen King, but that’s still a pretty good motivator.

Now, on to some small freelance stuff and hopefully then to the NaNo novel The Masks of Our Fathers.

The whirlwind that will be November

So today I took a look at some of the things that will be occuring for me in November.

NaNoWriMo is an obvious time consumer, but there are a few other things I’ve been waiting for as well.  I really want to get 2 or 3 ideas going for 52 Stitches.  I’m not great at flash fiction, and I know to not even bother trying to write it unless I am in the mood.  I have been in the flash-mood for about the last week and have done nothing about it.  The timing for my two acceptances for Northern Haunts was perfect.  I wrote five flash peices in the course of a week and the two I selected for Northern Haunts made it through right away.  Word is still out on the other two (the fifth became a 1,100 worder) which are at Flash Fiction Online and Horror D’oeuvres.

Also, I got a hold request from Allegory for my story “Jinx”.  I should hear something within the next few days.  Needless to say, an acceptance would be an awesome way to start off the month.  And, if the guidelines for the Dia de los Meurtos anthology are any indication, I (like many of you) should be getting a response for my story “The Drums Will Take You There.”

But there’s no sense in worrying about November when there are a few trick-or-treat inspired hours reamining in October.  Dress-up time for my daughter is in in t-minus 3 hours…