• @Mikespins The EEE you mean? I have one. It’s awesome. #
• @Mikespins I have the first one they put out. It’s a real computer, though it’s not the most powerful. Mine has linux but most have windows #
• Why am I watching TLC and a pregnancy show? Time for some DVR watching… #
• Got another rejection today, but another nice one. My post-apocalyptic story was too post-apocalyptic. #
• @ecmyers I got an unexpected surprise in a snow day today. Hurray@ #
• @ecmyers I’d say so. #
• I am frittering my day away #
• If you live in NYC and have any recommendations for pubs with decent beer lists, let me know. I’m looking to try some new places. #
• Ginger Man is already on the list (love that place), as is Barcade. #
• And Jimmy’s No. 43 #
• Only remarkable beer from the Gettysburg trip was the Roy Pitz Smoked Lager from nearby Chamersburg PA. Website names it Ludwig’s Revenge. #
• The smokiness was evident in taste, though it was an easy drinking beer with a light quality that went well with food. Dry, but enjoyable. #

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VANITY POST:

So I made a proclamation some time ago that I wouldn’t shave my moustache and beard until I sold another story or got an agent. Now I’m stuck in a battle of pride, or should I say my beard is. On the one hand, I’m proud of it. It turned out much the way I wanted it to, somewhere along the spectrum of pirate, mesmerist, or Civil War veteran. I’ve never been successful with this kind of thing in the past, so I’m happy with it.

On the other hand, I feel like it makes me look old, and I’m getting tired of looking at it. More than just the gray hairs in it (of which there are many), it’s getting long and messy looking. Which means it’s due for a trim, and which I guess falls within the rules.

I have no doubt that the moment I shave it off, I will somehow regret it, but right now I’m looking forward to that day.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE:

I got the copyedits for my story that will be appearing in Shimmer later this year, “The Emperor’s Gift”. Yet another side effect of the publishing timeline is that a story you wrote over a year ago may not appear for some time. I was a different writer when I wrote it – this was pre-Clarion, just as I was starting to get into the swing with Altered Fluid, before a lot of writing lessons had sunk in. It’s difficult to get back into a story like this without wanting to rip out all the guts and completely rewire it. It’s a challenge to get back into that headspace.

But I’m going to try…

I woke up this morning to a snow day and a message in my inbox. On my iPhone I can see the first line of text and the “Thank you” was enough to make me roll over and take refuge in the pillows for a short while longer.  I don’t have enough acceptances to know how they begin, but usually a “thank you” signals a rejection. Still, it was a nice rejection and the story just wasn’t right for the market. Which made the process of reading it much better. Now the process of figuring out where to send it next. It’s a story I believe in, so I want to give it the best possible shot.

It’s a reminder that the writing life often feels like it moves at a glacial pace. And that’s without even a novel in the picture. I have friends who have sold novels that won’t see the light of day for three years.

Still, I’m stuck with it.