Author's Check-in

My intention was to post at least two blog entries per month, but I was surprised to see that three months have passed between posts. So what the heck have I been doing?

It seems that I always have a great idea for a blog post at 3 am, which means I would probably be up writing it until 5 or 6 am, which I'm trying not to do anymore. I'm attempting to reach some semblance of a sleep schedule to match some of the world: say, sleeping from 2am until 10am. I've only been nominally successful thus far, but I will keep trying.

As far as my 2014 Writing Resolutions go, I'm on track.

1. Finish 4th draft of HISZMA novel - I'm 30% through, after seriously starting it in March.s
2. Finish 1st draft of TSoSS novel - not there yet.
3. Compete in NYC Midnight's short story competition - Done. Made Honorable mention in Round 1.
4. Compete in at least one other contest - I'm looking at Lorian Hemingway's short story contest. The deadline is in May. I've already entered three contests for the PNWA Conference - I entered my HISMZA novel, a short story, and a short personal essay/memoir piece.
5. Read at least 30 books - I'm on track, having read 6, or 20% of my goal. No new ones, yet, though.

Inspired by the historical fiction genre that I was required to write for the NYC Midnight contest, I have continued my learning curve of the Roaring Twenties. I've always loved that era-- it was rife with artists, writers, performers, civil rights, modern advancements, and outrageous behavior-- and I've been reading about it a lot lately. Books about the era and its people, books set in that era, and books written in that era. I'm currently reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Beautiful and the Damned". I'm thinking that I would like to write more stories set in that time. We'll wee where it leads...