Gray World is a story I thought would never sell. I was just sending it out because I’d made a promise to myself that I would no longer self-reject my work, and just keep everything on the market and see what happens. So, I kept sending it out. I was surprised when Natasha Brooks at Bare Back Magazine said she wanted to buy Gray World for the May 2018 issue.
One of the short stories I’ve been shopping around has gotten positive feedback from editors at three different publications. They all said about the same thing. They like the story but feel some things need to be developed better, and they’ve suggested changes that they feel would make the story better.
I agree with them, but this is one of my older stories and I’ve reworked it so many times already. Now when I start to go over it again, I feel burned out. So, I’m writing a new story that uses the idea from the old story, but is very different in layout, characters and plot, and I’m using the suggestions the editors gave me.
I’m still shopping the old story around, because maybe someone will want it as it is. A couple of my stories that I thought would never sell have sold, so these days I keep everything on the market and see what happens.
The Tigers just showed Cleveland what baseball in Detroit is all about.
I wrote 1,246 words (7 pages) in two hours today, on a story. Going downstairs to hit the speedbag for a while, and then I’m going to have a two-hour session on the novel.
My Deeply Unhip Mixed Playlist is getting me through these sessions.
I’ve been on the fence about whether I’m ready to crawl out from under my rock and get back into blogging daily about whatever random thing happens to be on my mind. I don’t feel ready. My long withdrawal has me feeling like I’m climbing a steep hill just to write this entry. Chances are, once I post the entry, I’ll then want to take it down and crawl back under my rock.
“So, Wob, how’s stuff?”
I’m glad you asked. Stuff has been, meh. Usually when people ask me that sort of question, including “How are you?” I just shrug because I don’t fucking know. I don’t like to say “Good!” unless it feels entirely true, and don’t like to say “Bad!” for the same reason. I’m usually in the middle of good and bad, But to say “In between” would just confuse people and to explain beyond that might get too wordy.
“Gweat! So, whatchu been up to, Wob?”
That’s an easier question to answer. I’ve been doing what I always do. Productivity is up. Been watching The Walking Dead on Sunday nights and I checked out the new series on AMC. The Terror. It’s interesting so far.
“What about Woseanne, huh? They webooted the show.”
I did watch Roseanne last night. Don’t really have any complaints, but I thought the actors were a little rusty. I don’t know what they’ve done since the shows first run ended in 1997, but I had the impression that it’s been a while since any of them had any major acting roles.
Roseanne was one of my favorite shows when I was growing up and I’m pleased that the show was rebooted. It’s like reconnecting with old friends after twenty years. I was surprised when I got on Facebook today and saw posts from left-leaning friends declaring their desire to not watch the show, because they don’t like Roseanne Barr’s positions on political and social issues.
I admit, I didn’t know about Roseanne Barr’s politics until I saw these posts. But after watching last night’s episodes, I thought it would be far right wingers voicing disgust about the show. It’s my understanding that it was Sara Gilbert who put the reboot together, not Roseanne Barr, and I’m under the impression that Gilbert is the one calling the shots, but I could be wrong.
“Wob, what about NCAA Basketball?”
I am following the Madness. Michigan’s in the Final Four, that game will be Saturday night. Very exciting. On the side, baseball is back. The Tigers just finished Spring Training and their first regular season game is tomorrow in Detroit at 1 PM, Vs the Pirates. But the Tigers have a new team this year and it might take time getting used to that.
I just sold another story. The editor said it should be published in May. That’s one more story I won’t have to shop around anymore.
I haven’t been active on my website, Facebook or JAD in the last couple months. For reasons l will not disclose, I felt a need to step away from everything. But, I’m starting to get word about things that are happening and I need to get back in touch with people.
I have been getting a lot of work done. Currently, I’m juggling three different projects and making progress. Also, a few days ago, I shot my third deer. Another doe. I’ll probably tell the story about that after I get the meat from the butcher. I promise, it’s different from the last two successful hunting stories I shared.
Into Darkness Peering is an anthology of strange and creepy stories. My story “The Takers” is in there.
Into Darkness Peering can be purchased from Amazon.
I spent hours cleaning up a short story. I think this one is my first children’s story, but I’m not positive. I’ve written so many stories, I can’t remember them all. I’m proud of this story and I hope it does well.
I’m waiting for Monday Night Football to start. I’m going to watch the hell out of it. Vikings and Bears. I’m pulling for the Bears in this one. You?