I don’t usually do a “Here’s what I’ve been up to for the past month…” kind of thing, but it feels kind of appropriate considering how crazy the last month or so has been from personal and professional standpoint. So, without further ado…:
SEPTEMBER
- A week and a half in Switzerland with my wife, father in law, and stepmother in law. We split time between Basel and the Lutchental Valley (hiking in the alps for five days). The Valley was easily my favorite part of the trip. Fresh air, beautiful trails, and some of the most breathtaking views. Looking at these mountains from the base of the trail…talk about feeling dwarfed.
- A week-long cruise through the Caribbean as part of the Writing Excuses 2018 writing retreat and conference. WOW, is really the best way to describe my experience. My wife and I got to spend a week with almost 200 like-minded individuals and talk about the business and craft of writing (among many other fun things, like our excursions in Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel). I made a lot of friends and am happy to say we’ve signed up to go again next year. If you’re looking for a writing conference to go to: this is one of the best.
OCTOBER
- We’re only a week into the month, granted, but I’ve been outlining a couple of new projects, probably no longer than novella-length. The first is a complete revision of a novella I wrote a couple of years ago (formerly THE HIGHEST TRUTH, presently SHE WHO WALKS) and got some great feedback on from editors at publications I’d subbed the story to. The next is based on the idea of Immortals purchasing simulated death in the way the people trip on LSD or whatever else. Basically, death as an experience for those who cannot die, except what happens when an immortal actually dies? I’ve aptly titled it WE DEAL IN DEATH and I am SUPER EXCITED about this one, friends.
There you have it. What has everyone else been up to? Let me know in the comments!