50th Post

As the title reads, this is my 50th post. It's a tad pathetic considering I've had this blog for just over three years now. In the beginning I didn't post all that regular (if you look close you'll see a blank span of about seven or eight months) and I'm still not quite where I'd like to be. This year I tried my best to get at least one post in a month, two if I was really feeling it. In 2010 my goal is to get in a post a week. We'll see how that works out.

I have enjoyed all the new friends I've met through this blog, and I've learned a lot by following along with your adventures. It's been a tough year job-wise. I don't think I could have made it without sneaking a looky-loo at your blogs while pretending that I'm working.

Things are looking up. I see a light up ahead. My wife's schedule is starting to steady and solidify, which means I should be able to settle into a better pattern of writing. That makes for a less grumpy Gabe.

Now onto the writing news.

I know it is never a good idea to post about your agent rejections -- why promote how bad your are doing? -- but I'm not sure what the etiquette is for small victories. Who knows what agents and editors are lurking around your blog posts, using your little electronic journal as a judge of character? But what the heck. If it's bad form, please forgive.

Another agent has requested a partial of my novel GUARDING THE HEALER. I'm doing a little dance for no other reason than this lets me know I'm still on the right track. As you well know, it's a slippery slope and getting lost is an easy thing.

I was going to post about walking away from books too awful to read, but I think I'll save that for the next post.

If I don't talk to you before have a Happy Halloween.

The Clutter King

I was roaming the blog of the powerful and terrifying agent, Janet Reid, the other day and she had a link to another blog (some days it's like running through a maze) Murderati and a wonderful entry about positive and negative spaces.

It touched me on many levels; not just as a writer. I have to admit I live a very cluttered life. I don't want to. It's no ones fault. That's just how it is. I just haven't quite figured out how to move all the junk out of the way. I'm working on it, though.

I don't have much to report. I'm still harassing agents; still adding to editor's slush piles. I'm getting close to starting another novel. I've been putting it off a bit -- trying to de-clutter, and all that -- but I can feel it worming its way to the surface. I'm having trouble writing any new shorts because this new novel won't get out of the way.

I'm still in the planning stage right now. I'll let you know when I hit it full strength.

Well, I better go. Storms are rolling in and I want to finish before the power goes out.