Monthly Archives: February 2008

February 29. Looks strange, doesn’t it? I’m still plugging away at the novel and also at a new short story. This is the first time I’ve done two things like this simultaneously. The novel in the morning and the story … Continue reading →

I transcribed my scrawled opening pages to a new short story last night, about 500 words in total. It’s supposed to be a thriller and I discovered that I got too bogged down in backstory in the early goings, so … Continue reading →

This morning I could see my breath when I went to breakfast. Tomorrow it’s going to be 70° again. My thermometer is getting whiplash. I have an appointment to take my car in to the body shop a week from … Continue reading →

Every moment you make idle decisions that send you on new trajectories with unknown, unpredictable outcomes. Last night I stopped at the grocery store to get a gallon of milk on the way home from work. I don’t usually go … Continue reading →

I watch, and I watch, and they never read my name. It’s all starting to get a little disappointing. I thought Jon Stewart did a decent job hosting. I laughed more than I usually do. Some of his bits fell … Continue reading →

LOST has hit it out of the ballpark every episode this season so far. It’s going to be tough waiting a month after episode seven to get back to the final six. As it’s wont to do, the show continually … Continue reading →

On April 24, 2008, from 1-4 pm, Tomball College (North Houston) is holding a Mystery Writers Conference Myth or Truth: How Our Past Influences Our Writing. Guest speakers will explain how to write, and publish mystery novels, with a book … Continue reading →

I received two rejection letters today. One was a personal note from the editor praising the virtues of my story and explaining why he didn’t think it worked for his market but pointing out favorable elements within it. The other … Continue reading →

I finished off this morning’s writing session at the 44,000 word mark of the novel in progress. The book continues to develop in my head each morning after I’m finished, which is always a good sign. A few mornings I’ve … Continue reading →

Man, that’s one of those ideas that I wish I would have come up with—a police forensics expert who is himself a serial killer. I watched the first episode of Dexter on CBS last night (from tape), and I’m already … Continue reading →