Justin wrote:

It’s five in the morning, and the party’s over. Time to go home and see what kind of life I can pull together now that I’m no longer gainfully employed. I have some options. But, before I can do that I need to leave the resort, get on my flight, and get my dogs. Wish [...]

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Justin wrote:

Well, it’s our last day on vacation, not to mention my wife’s birthday, so we’re doing everything we can to enjoy it. This is my view from the pool. Hopefully, this restful time away will give us the energy and strength we need to face the future.

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Justin wrote:

Hey, all. I’m still in Cancun, trying to not think about home and the uncertainty that waits for me there. So far, do kinda good.

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Justin wrote:

Well, I’m now a statistic. All those reports you see about growing unemployment numbers? Yeah, I’m now one of them. Sucks, but not entirely unexpected. Can’t say I blame them either. The company has to do what it can to survive, and seeing as how my wife still works there I have to wish it [...]

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Amanda wrote:

…you actually have nightmares about being trapped inside a book so bad, you’re actually grateful when you wake up.
I’m not just talking mediocre bad here, either. I’m talking, worse than Twilight bad. Funny thing is that my dream-self was conscious of this fact as well. Funny in an “oh my god get me the hell [...]

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Amanda wrote:

Today I learned that labels can be very dangerous. I’m not talking about the kind of label you find on a soup can, obviously, but the labels people put on things like relationships, or other people. They can be dangerous not only because of the way your fellow human beings react to them, but because [...]

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Yikes, I can’t believe I let things go so long! Mea culpa…

Well, getting the old writing career going has had its ups and downs. On the downside, I sent my novel “Harbinger” to a small press publisher, but he decided to pass on it. Since it’s only the first in a series of three novels, he felt like it was too much of a risk for a smaller publisher ike himself to take on. I hate it, but I also understand. I’ve since sent the novel off to Tor to see what they think. Their website said it could take up to six months for them to get back to me, so I’m not holding my breath in anticipation. I also had one of my short stories rejected at two magazines. I’ve sent it off to a third one, so I’m hopeful.

But, on the upside, I recently was told that Ray Gun Revival wants to publish my “The Ties That Bind” short story series (an earlier version of it won Honorable Mention in the Writers Of The Future contest), so hopefully in a couple of weeks I’ll finalize that sale. I’m also considering taking another swing at making an audio production out of it. I’d thought about doing that many months ago, but at the time I was busy reediting it, and I didn’t want to take a chance on doing an audio version if the story was going to change later on. Now that’s getting published, I can use the printed version as my certainty that it’s done. I’m also hard at work on my new novel. I’m still deciding what to call it. Right now I’m going with “Digital Decay,” but I’m sure that’ll change as I get further into the writing process. I’ve done a lot of brainstorming, I’ve made some notes, and I wrote a prologue. Now I need to do a little more research, write out an outline, and then I can get started on the real writing. Wish me luck.

As for the podcast, it’s going really well. We’re up to Episode 61 now (I was never sure we’d make it this far), and we don’t seem to be slowing down any. We also concluded our short story contest. The other guys are still reading the stories, so we’ll have the winners announced in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, that’s about it for now. Been busy, the holidays are in full swing, and my birthday is coming up. Yeah me.

Justin wrote:

Today I received a letter in the mail letting me know that my submission for 2008 4th quarter Writers Of The Future contest was awarded Honorable Mention. While it isn’t a top place finish, I’m still pretty proud considering the VAST number of people who submit for it. So, all in all, I’m happy, and [...]

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Justin wrote:

I am very pleased right now.
That is all.
 
Off to bed.

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Amanda wrote:

Three days into National Novel Writing Month and I’m at 5,000 words and counting. Last night I attended my region’s kickoff party, and had a total blast. It’s so nice to meet people my own age who are just as crazy as I am about things like Doctor Who, tea, Alton Brown, and (of course) [...]

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