Returning
The one good thing about a long return journey is the way it mitigates the sadness of parting and the feeling that time together with kindred spirits, working in a convivial and inspiring atmosphere simply flies by. Our time in the same rooms is too short, but it is, alas, what we can all spare, and so it has to do.
This week, I suspended work on the novel I have been puttering away at steadily for these many months to focus on some other projects. I have been finding some success with various short stories (three have now been published, and a fourth is slotted for the fall), so I decided to spend this week focusing on the backlog of first drafts and fragments of new stories that have been sitting in my hard drive, to see what I have amassed and what I might do with them. I polished two into better shape and got some excellent feedback on the one that is slated to be part of a larger collection. (Most of the feedback was consistent, and what was not was interesting in its divergence. I shall ponder it all and then return to this one shortly.) The second story I decided was ready to send out into the world, and so I submitted it electronically to an established magazine and will see what happens. I intend it to be the first of many to send to these sources.
I also worked on two stories I had begun quite awhile ago. One of them seems to be turning in a straightforward little murder mystery, but the other has the potential to become something else. There is an anthology in early discussion that it might become right for. I will keep playing with it and see where it goes. And there is another anthology that is seeking entries that I may develop one of the other pieces for (or possibly come up with something new to submit).
I also reestablished contact with my literary agent and will be continuing to renew that connection in the next few months.
At the start of the week, we each talked about our journeys over the last year, many filled with challenges and stresses and demands on our time and attention, as well as some of the joys and successes each of us has met along the way. It reminded me that I need to spell out as many of my accomplishments as possible for myself, because it is too easy to feel that there haven't been many. I spent this morning compiling my own annual report of what I have actually achieved over the past year in my ongoing quests, and it is a strong reminder that I have, in fact, made significant headway on many fronts. I keep a brief record of some of these accomplishments (principally my daily writing and my auditions and bookings), but I need to be more thorough in order to recognize how much I really have been able to do. The end results are important, but the work getting there matters as well, and I intend to make a much better effort at tracking and acknowledging ALL the work, not simply what ends up being published, broadcast, or shared with wider audiences in other ways.
I stated at the start of this week that I primarily wanted to use it to recharge my creative batteries and find renewed inspiration, and I have certainly accomplished that. I salute all my fellow brilliant travelers. Our time together is too brief, but it flows from a deep wellspring that we have managed to establish together, and it is fed by so many others on my flist. I am grateful to have all of you in my life and to be reminded of how many truly marvelous, talented, gracious people I am fortunate enough to know. Bless you all.
This week, I suspended work on the novel I have been puttering away at steadily for these many months to focus on some other projects. I have been finding some success with various short stories (three have now been published, and a fourth is slotted for the fall), so I decided to spend this week focusing on the backlog of first drafts and fragments of new stories that have been sitting in my hard drive, to see what I have amassed and what I might do with them. I polished two into better shape and got some excellent feedback on the one that is slated to be part of a larger collection. (Most of the feedback was consistent, and what was not was interesting in its divergence. I shall ponder it all and then return to this one shortly.) The second story I decided was ready to send out into the world, and so I submitted it electronically to an established magazine and will see what happens. I intend it to be the first of many to send to these sources.
I also worked on two stories I had begun quite awhile ago. One of them seems to be turning in a straightforward little murder mystery, but the other has the potential to become something else. There is an anthology in early discussion that it might become right for. I will keep playing with it and see where it goes. And there is another anthology that is seeking entries that I may develop one of the other pieces for (or possibly come up with something new to submit).
I also reestablished contact with my literary agent and will be continuing to renew that connection in the next few months.
At the start of the week, we each talked about our journeys over the last year, many filled with challenges and stresses and demands on our time and attention, as well as some of the joys and successes each of us has met along the way. It reminded me that I need to spell out as many of my accomplishments as possible for myself, because it is too easy to feel that there haven't been many. I spent this morning compiling my own annual report of what I have actually achieved over the past year in my ongoing quests, and it is a strong reminder that I have, in fact, made significant headway on many fronts. I keep a brief record of some of these accomplishments (principally my daily writing and my auditions and bookings), but I need to be more thorough in order to recognize how much I really have been able to do. The end results are important, but the work getting there matters as well, and I intend to make a much better effort at tracking and acknowledging ALL the work, not simply what ends up being published, broadcast, or shared with wider audiences in other ways.
I stated at the start of this week that I primarily wanted to use it to recharge my creative batteries and find renewed inspiration, and I have certainly accomplished that. I salute all my fellow brilliant travelers. Our time together is too brief, but it flows from a deep wellspring that we have managed to establish together, and it is fed by so many others on my flist. I am grateful to have all of you in my life and to be reminded of how many truly marvelous, talented, gracious people I am fortunate enough to know. Bless you all.