Randoms

Sometimes it can be a pain.

Right now I have a short story that I sold last year (I've talked about the situation last month) that was scheduled for a May release date. May has come and gone, and the story still hasn't seen the light of day. Last week the new editor of the magazine dropped off the face of the earth...and handed it over to another, newer editor. She contacted me last week and asked for a sequel story to the story I wrote last year, and some comments regarding the story I sold last year (she wants some polishing done). No problem, I tell her.

A week later, I still haven't heard back from her. What's up with people telling you they will get back to you within 48 hours and then dropping the ball? I can understand personal circumstances, but if you are going to call yourself a professional agency, then you should at least have contingency plans in place (like other people who can do your job for you) if something happens that takes priority (like RL accident or health-related issues).

I have another story that is on hold in Australia. The editors require a 3 month reading period for stories that make it past the slush pile. Mine made it through, and now awaits final approval before I find out if it will be making its home there, or elsewhere. Meanwhile, I have a third story in the Writers of the Future competition, just for S&Gs. The other three are still circulating.

Finished chapter 11 today (finally). Chapters 12-14 are scheduled for June, which will push me past the 100k mark, which is about 50% done. Still on track for Christmas.

June is booked solid with my UK client. Debated finding some spare time to work Demand Studios, but I'm in lazy mode lately, focusing more of my energy on creative spec writing than "pay me now" writing.

Wife and I started playing LOTRO again last week, after five months away from MMORPGs. As a result, I'm debating covering more game topics on my blog in the future, as it's something I've enjoyed for years.

On top of all the irons I have in the fire (content work, health and recipe articles for GDM, short story sales and sequels, novel work, the cook-book....), my mother in law agreed to fund my wife's part-time Crafting business, which means this month we will be stockpiling crafting supplies and getting into making a bunch of arts and craftsy stuff for my wife to sell on Etsy.

Trying to plan for a trip to Puglia region of Italy this fall for the wine season. On top of this, planning our return trip to Rome for April/May of next year, and still working on our 3-4 week backpacking trip to China next fall.

Anything else? :) Not really. I have an article that I will eventually get to writing this summer sometime regarding Stargate: Worlds, but it's not high on my list of priorities. I have a few contracts to do game-guides, but like the article, they are open-ended...meaning I can do them whenever I find the spare time. I have two wives-of-developers who have contacted me whose hubbies still work for CME offering to set me up with interviews, and I've already done several other interviews and done the preliminary research for the article. Problem is...it looks like it might turn into a 3-4 part series. Still working on that, so more info as it comes.

Staying busy, that's the important thing. Stories are selling, writing is going good, and I've got waaaaay too many irons in the fire. Will post more when I have time, and more clarity to post an actual blog topic, rather than a random blurb. Cheers!