Proud moments #prouddad / Happenings In The Outhouse 28-May-2021

Today is a truly #prouddad moment.  My beautiful daughter, Mariah, known by many as Mo, the ginja ninja, our little ginger, and oh so many more, graduates from high school today.

To say she has accomplished much in eighteen short years is an understatement.  Not only has she maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her entire school career, she went on to the state competition this year for speech and won 8th in the creative expression category (she probably would've gone on to state last year if it wasn't for a certain virus and the speech season was cut short), she has maintained successful employment at the local bank and is known by many who frequent it with her infectious smile and sense of humor, she has helped many of her classmates with homework over the years, is an avid golfer, is an accomplished vocalist in the high school choir, competed successfully in knowledge bowl, is on the church board as one of the youth advocates, teaches Sunday school, is an extremely talented actress in drama, and the list goes on and on and on . . .

She works hard at what she does, and has reaped the rewards of it.  This was especially shown at this year's senior awards ceremony as she took home 19 separate awards and/or scholarships.

Most of all, she has been like a rock to me and a voice of reason, especially throughout the past few years with the failing of her mother's health, eventual passing, and dealing with the daily grind of being a single dad and widow.  She will be sorely missed as she attends the University of Minnesota in the fall, majoring in biomedical engineering.

Love you, Mariah!  You have truly made me a #prouddad.

The many flavors of outlining / Happenings In The Outhouse 21-May-2021

Another short one this week as we prepare for my daughter's high school graduation next Friday.

My work-in-progress is progressing very well.  Far better than I could imagined at this point.  My last novel progressed very . . . very slowly.

But this one edged beyond the 11,000 word mark, and I'm only on the 5th chapter.

I've talked before about how much I dislike outlining in general.  Here is a link to all of my posts about outlining.  What's interesting is how much has changed over the years and whatever I'm working on.

For this project, I'm using each previously written chapter as an outline.  The plot is similar, the story is following a similar path, but the story is much, much better.

Outlining can come in a variety of packages.  I'll explore this topic more in the future.

The Grim Worlds Podcast - a new must-listen to / Happenings In The Outhouse 14-May-2021

Over the past few weeks, I've lamented the fact that I've cut back on the number of podcasts that I listen to.  Although this still remains true, once in a while I come across a podcast, a diamond in the rough, that cuts through and finds it way home to my earbuds.

Welcome to the Grim Worlds podcast.

At the time of this post, the podcast has two episodes, and you may find something familiar about the second episode--it features two stories (for the price of one, which is free) by yours truly.

The podcaster, Derek Olson, may be new to the podcast world, but its quality ranks up near the top when compared to all of the others I've listened to over the years.  This podcast, and other works he creates in the future, will be one you will want to watch out for.  Not only is he a unique voice, the music and sound effects put this in a podcast class all its own.

Be sure to subscribe and listen to this one!

Progress / Happenings In The Outhouse 7-May-2021

I am making tremendous progress on my "new" work-in-progress.

Now, I put new under quotes for a reason.  It's not a new story.  It's a story I first wrote back in college, when my late wife and I were dating.  So, yeah, well over two decades old--we were married for twenty-two and a half years before her passing.  But what's new is what I'm doing with it.

I'm using the old story as an outline.

I did this with a fantasy novel a few years ago, before moving on to another project--don't worry, I'll pick it back up again.  So far, I'm making great progress.

I know, I know, I have written about my dislike toward outlining before.  So I'm revising my thoughts toward outlining.  For me, for the most part, outlining is a waste of time.  But now, and a few times in the past, when I've hit a bit of a block, getting thoughts down on paper has helped dislodge the block.

I'm currently at the 6,300 word mark.  It'll be interesting how soon I can get this one published.

Wish me luck!