It's done!

My book is done, sort of.

Like I said, I still need to edit and make it longer but at least Step 1 is complete!

I've already done submissions to some agents and publishers, although I've steeled myself for plenty of rejection. I figure that if there hasn't been any interest by the time the edits are complete and I'm satisfied with the book's state and length then I'll just put it on Amazon as an ebook. I'd certainly rather turn it into a "real" book, but at least as an ebook I get some money for it and then I'll begin working on another novel, probably in a different genre.

Also, I bought a website url! It has nothing to do with the book, it's for yet another side project. I don't want to spread myself too thin, but I also am tired of limiting myself. Fingers crossed.

-RS

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! If you don't celebrate the holiday, I hope you have a happy Thursday.

The end of the year is almost here, which is funny to me. People in my age group always act mindblown when December hits despite having seen a year end two dozen times by now. It always happens, stop seeming started by it. "Can you believe 2015 is gone already?" Yes, because that's how time works.

Updates next week!

-RS

End of the Beginning

I'm almost done with the first step of my book, which feels like a nice achievement.

In my mind the first step should be write the book. I guess it's a little abrupt, but what's the point of thinking of anything else related to producing a novel if you don't want have one completed? So it's almost wrapped up.

Step two will involve equal parts querying agents/publishers and editing. I want to work on earlier chapters and add a few things for cohesion, but I also need to look toward the long-term idea for what I'm attempting.

Anyways, with the holidays almost upon us things feel very positive. It's lookin' up, I tell you!

-RS

I Was Mistaken for a Veteran

I wear a black coat in the fall. I got it from H&M a few years ago. Here's what it looks like, in case you're curious:

If you search "H&M men's coat" it's actually the first picture that comes up. I don't pull it off the way the model does. I look a lot less presentable, but it gets compliments.

I went to the grocery store on Veteran's Day and it was pretty busy. I was in the checkout line in front of a little girl and her mom, but the little girl was staring at me the whole time. When I made eye contact with her she pointed and said, "He's a veteran!"

All eyes were on me right away. I shook my head but her mom was saying, "How do you know?"

The girl kept pointing and said, "His coat."

I shook my head again but the cashier handed me my receipt very deferentially and instantly said, "I could tell by his hair. You're a hero, sir."

My hair is very, very short. I had totally shaved it not long ago, so the combination of shaved head and military-ish jacket were giving people the wrong idea.

I looked from girl to cashier and said clearly, "No, I'm not a hero, I'm not-"

The guy interrupted and spoke over me, loudly telling me, "You are a hero, and don't let anyone tell you differently!"

There's probably a special place in hell for people who impersonate the military on some sort of remembrance day. At the time, I looked from cashier to little girl, shrugged and said, "Okay. I'm a hero. But I'm not a soldier, sorry." They both looked confused and I turned and walked away.

I may not be the hero a grocery store deserves, but I'll be the one it needs.

Have a good rest of the week!

****Disclaimer: This is half-true and half-embellished. Please don't send me death-threats for trying to be funny, I'm well aware I'm not.

A Time to be Writing

This time of year feels like it was made for coffee and words. The weather just encourages me to not stay outside for very long. Our dog is a little stir-crazy, but that kind of just makes thing cozy.

I've gotten about 60 pages done. I think I can at least double that by the end of November, so I'll make that my goal. My new routine gives me about 90 minutes a morning to sit in front of my computer. Being able to see the word count go up makes things feel very productive.

2015 is fleeing. Hopefully I can keep making the most of it, but things feel good for now.