Friday, September 14, 2007

Further down the trail

Today, I decided that I'd have a look at my submission log. That's where I keep track of what's out, to whom, and when I can bug them about not getting back to me. I found that I had about a week before the query time was up on one of my short stories. I reviewed the submission guidelines, perused the publishers' sites, etc. Since I keep a personal email address and a prefessional one, I decided to see if my mail service was still forwarding my professional mail to my personal account. Test email, in the tube; FIRE!

And then guess what?

Two messages below my test email, there it was. My first real rejection.

I actually feel okay about it. It was very low paying, so it really wouldn't have gone far toward the furtherance of my career, but it would have been nice to have a hardcover anthology with my name in it on my shelf. I feel like a milestone has been passed, though. I knew going in I'd be rejected more than accepted. It's good to finally be getting something, though.

On another note, I started germinating an idea today that may just pan out. It's not a new tale by any means, but one that might just bear another telling.

As always, love to the family. Just over a week now, and I'll be kissing faces and hugging bodies and smiling my joy at the jewels of my life. I love you all.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Some headway

Well, this past month has been very unproductive in the writing arena. I've actually been doing my day job, believe it or not. My last hitch over here in Oman was slow, so I wrote a lot more. This time, we're actually busy, so I've had less time for words. I caught a bit of a break in the action a few days ago and have been able to put together a preliminary chapter breakdown of my novel. I'm happy with the story, but not so thrilled with the length. It looks like this thing is going to be somewhat shorter than I'd hoped.

Ah well, life goes on.

So, I'll be heading home to my family in less than two weeks now. I'm very excited to get home. The more I think about it, the more convinced I become that I'm not in the right place. Sure this gig is paying the bills, but my Sweet Love is constantly telling me how much harder it is to deal with everything when I'm gone, how much the kids all miss me and need my presence. I have always maintained that no job is so important that I'll let my family suffer to do it. Now I just need an exit strategy. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to do one more hitch over here after this one, and then I won't be back. I'll most likely try to go back to Wyoming for a little while if something else doesn't come up in the mean time.

I guess we'll see.

Anyway, I'll keep after the writing. That's my future. As long as I keep my chin up, it's bound to happen. I love all those who are supporting me in this, and hope to have good news about the stories I have submitted soon.