How goes National Novel Writing Month, you ask? Okay. Maybe you have not asked, but it is a question I’m asking myself.

I’ve managed to pick up a cold this weekend, which hasn’t helped. (I’ve taken two covid tests, and both came up negative. And I’ve checked various websites about symptoms–cold, flu, or covid19? Cold. I think.)

I’m not where I want to be in my writing or art, but that is always the case. Why even write about it anymore? Also, I’ve applied for two art markets, and I have to start preparing now as if I’ve gotten in because if I wait for when they make the announcement, I won’t be ready. But it means I may be working on something that won’t happen. ‘Tis the art life.

My son made something that looks like a tiny bookshelf, so I’m making books to put on it. The books will be for jotting down story sparks, notions, and magic spells…or whatever a person imagines. And I’ve ordered prints of some of my art.

So. About these stories…

For NaNoWriMo I’m still working on rewrites of The Fairy Tale Asylum. Why can’t I write faster? Some people finish writing a book a year! Even if I didn’t have a day job, could I do that? I doubt it.

Also, I’ve set up a lot in the story that I’m not sure I can make pay off. You never know unless you try! But right now when I think about it, I just want to take a nap.

And I’ve come up with a rough plot for Karma and the Bright Full Moon. Very rough!

Sylvie Martin stood at her sister’s empty grave and considered the various ways to find a missing body.

Karma and the Bright Full Moon

And friends have given me notes on my other work-in-progress–The Book of Astrophilia.

I don’t think I’ll reach my word count goals. Maybe, but…I don’t think so.

My workspace is a mess and I’ve got a lot of grading to get through.

One step at a time, right?

What are you working on? What are you looking forward to?

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Thanks for reading!

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I’m serializing Astrophilia on Patreon and when I finish the Asylum, I’ll give away a digital copy there. Plus I send people tiny art, poems, postcards, and other things throughout the year. So join in if you can. It makes a difference!

And of course, the newsletter! I send it out twice in October, then on the summer and winter solstices, and other magical days.