The Six Hundred and Nineteenth Post: The One Where I Go Back to Scribbling…

I’m feeling a lot better – who knew that rest and medicine would work? I’m still a little cough-y, but I am continuing to outline Tribal. I am going to finish the outline before I continue writing it. I am trying to plan better things better and wing it less. I think this is going to make me more productive in the long run.

I did go to the doctor today, and I’ve lost three pounds in three weeks! I am going back to the gym now (and then), and I am feeling a lot better now. I am hoping to keep this going, even though I took a day off today to catch Opening Day (if MLB.tv would LET ME). I am going to head out in the evening. Normally, I go early in the morning, but today I had a doctor’s appointment and the aforementioned Opening Day.

While I am writing the outline for the current novel, I am trying to work on the literary novel. I’m torn as far as endings go. Should I make it depressing or uplifting? I don’t really know because both of the endings appeal to me. This book is my criticisms of society and how they treat creatives, and the nature of celebrity in this day and age – so the depressing ending fits. However, I would like to have an upbeat ending for the main character just because I am going to put him through so much crap. It’s still in the embryonic stage. I don’t even have a good title for it. Right now – I’m referring to it as Crab Bucket Society. It’s not my best title, but it works for now. I am going to write this as if I could put this in the running for the Pulitzer. After that, I might work on something I’ve hung on the line for way too long.

I’ve really got to get on the stick and revise something. Is till have to get Agonizing Alibi Day edited down a little bit, not to mention Alien Voices. Actually, I need to get the cover art for these two books done first. I need to get a lot done. I just need more time. Then again, don’t we all? Anyway – I need to get back to work.

Thanks for sticking this out with me thus far. I am still trying to figure out how to get new books on my right bar. It’s not easy, but I can wrestle this to the ground. Hope you all have a good day.

The Six Hundred and Eighteenth Post: The One Where I Just Let Them Ferment On the Vine

I am going to strike while the iron is hot and give Tribal a majority of my attention. Sure – our current political situation isn’t going to go away any time soon, but I have the bad habit of sitting on ideas until they are no longer popular. Remember when the news of the “back draft” during the initial Iraq war? That gave me an idea for a sci-fi novel called Zeno’s Calendar. I might work on it at some point, but it illuminates the problem that I tend to let ideas almost rot on the vine as it were.

I won’t do that this time. Dirt Elf will be relegated to evening work, meaning if I don’t hit the deadline word count, I am not going to worry about it. I need to work further on the outline anyways, so there is that. I’ve only outlined up to the chapter I am writing right now. I need to work ahead a little so I can still have some direction in this book.

There is a dearth of other news, I’m sorry to say. I finished the book Victorian Psycho and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed American Psycho. It has certainly taught me a lot about first person views and how much description I can really get out of it. Although, I don’t know if that was the style of the time or not. If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like it Jane Austen wrote the screenplay for Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Victorian Psycho will answer that question. Next up, the highly controversial Playground. Splatterpunk!

I’m also a little under the weather, so I am going to cut this a little short. Drink plenty of fluids, have an orange and say a minimum of three feet away from me. Thank you and have a good day.