A long long time ago....

ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......... snork! Huh? Whoa - must've nodded off there for a month or two.

In all liklihood, nobody checks this blog anymore, but Chilldaddy still has thoughts to share, so here he is. First off, I passed my surg. tech. recertification, so I remain gainfully employed. Trying to get the hospital to reimburse me the five hundred dollars I spent on the test is another matter entirely. Secondly, I'm still writing. In fact, the real writing is mainly what has kept me from the pointless blog writing.

I finished my eighth book , 'Brughs of Elfhame' about a month ago, and at the moment, I'm revising it, sending out querys, and planning my next story. I've had three agents ask for partial manuscripts so far, but like a fool, I sent it first to an agent that insists on three months of exclusivity. I've learned from my friends on WritersNet that it's uncommon and rude for an agent to ask for exclusivity on partials, but this is an outstanding agent, and one I'd want to consider representing me, so I'm letting it ride.

Here's what's next on the horizon of my writing career: re-learning to write. I've discovered that, while I have some basic skill, there are a lot of problems with my narrative style. Everything I've ever written needs to be carefully rewritten, and I don't want to start anything new until I'm armed with better technique. I intend to learn these skills by visiting the reclusive master on a seemingly-deserted, swamp-filled planet and cajoling him into sharing with me the ways of the Force. If that doesn't work, I'll stick with my original plan of reading several recommended books, joining a writer's group, and taking a writing class in the fall.

Meanwhilst, to answer your unspoken questions regarding the two book covers that appear on this post, I'm experimenting with vanity publishing. NO, I'M NOT GIVING UP! These amount to no more than fancy, bound copies that I could print out with my own computer. They're not available to the public, they do not have an ISBN number, and they do not qualify as 'being published' in even the remotest of ways, so there is no danger of having squandored the critical 'first publication' rights. They are simply a cheaper, easier, more-fun way of creating copies for family and friends to proof-read for me. Should you want a personal, permanant copy of your own, I can print them at a cost of twelve dollars including shipping, but they are most definately not for sale.