Organizing And Pivoting / Happenings In The Outhouse 25-July-2025

It's important to keep organized when you're writing.

It's easy when you first start.  But as time goes on, the number of projects increases.  I currently have over 70 stories--over half are published, truth be told, but there are a number of short stories lately that I need to do something with--and if I didn't have my spreadsheet, I would be completely lost.

Speaking of short stories, I will be pivoting on how I will be handling them in the near future.

Currently I have two science fiction short stories that I have received an honorable mention for from the Writers of the Future.  I will continue to send those out to SF/F short story markets, but so far none have bitten.  If none do . . . well, I just might publish them myself just the same.

This is not quitting what I am doing.  It's pivoting, to take another path.  And, at the same time, it will help get more of my work out there for others to read.

On The Seventh Day / Happenings In The Outhouse 18-July-2025

It's always important to look after your health.

It's rare for someone to go 100 miles per hour (physical, mentally, etc.) on a constant basis without needing at least some rest.

Even God "rested" when he created the universe.

Resting can look different for everyone.  For me, I'm on a project at work that requires me to start much earlier than usual.  It cuts into my writing time.  Am I still writing?  Sort of.  I'm going through writing training modules as a way of recharging my creative batteries.

Don't feel guilty about resting.  It's okay to rest after a long week.

2nd Honorable Mention! / Happenings In The Outhouse 11-July-2025

Writers of the Future 2nd Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 42 | Writers & Illustrators of the Future

A few weeks ago, I received a notification that I was an honorable mention for last quarter's Writers of the Future contest.

This is the second honorable mention I have received.

This is a huge honor and, trust me, there is a lot of competition in this contest.  So, to even be picked as an honorable mention, is enormous!

I have the story out in circulation for submission right now, so crossing my fingers that a publication picks it up.  I have other stories out there too, and I'm about 13,000 words into my next novel-in-progress.

What Are You Expecting? / Happenings In The Outhouse 04-July-2025

When you posted on social media about your new book, what were you expecting?

When you posted on social media about your new business, what did you expect?

When you hit PUBLISH on your new book, what results were you expecting to see?

When you told a room of complete strangers about your upcoming book on pre-order, were you expecting a flood of pre-orders?

What if none of that happened?  Would you quit?  Or would you put your head down and keep moving forward?