Irony

I find it a bit ironic that I restart my blog, hoping to focus on inspiration, and then I go one of the longest streaks I can remember without any of it myself. It's partly my sour mood lately. Well, mostly my mood. I haven't been paying attention, looking for ideas, making them happen. I've been trying to forget writing. I actually swore off writing a couple days ago, then before I knew it I was thinking aobut my current work in progress again. Guess I just can't kick the habit.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
Well, still working on "Stranded." I'm about 15,000 words in now. I'm done with all the rewriting part from the previous draft and am working on new material now. It's hard. I think I'm ready to start another rewrite! Just kidding. Not yet. But I may have to again before too long. I get these ideas of ways I woudl rather do things, and I can't wait till I'm done to change them. So it may take me a while to get to the end of this thing, but with all the constant rewrites, it should be pretty close to finished by the time I get there. I really want the book to be literary fiction that also happens to be horror, and that will be hard to do. Takes a lot of work on themes and ideas. I'm more of a plot guy myself, but I really want to try this.

I'm also getting back into the habit of submitting stories. I've got a good-sized handful that need to be published. I was happy to hear back from a magazine called "Big Ole Face Full of Monster" the other day. I submitted a story called "Unnatural Blonde" way back in June. They just now contacted me to tell me that they were still considering my story and were trying to find a place for it in an upcoming issue. They're okay with simultaneous submissions, so I'm still sending it out--just sent a more cleaned up version to Weird Tales a few minutes ago. Also resubmitted "This Devil's Song" earlier today as well. I consider this story my masterpiece to date. It'd be nice if someone else showed a little love for it as well.

CURRENTLY READING:
For anyone who cares, I'm reading Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian." I haven't read a western in years, but I'm really enjoying it. Before that I read "Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin. I was never a big fan of his comedy, but I enjoy his books. "The Pleasure of My Company" was one of the funniest and, dare I say, sweetest books I've read in a long time.