October is two-thirds gone! Time flies when you’re busy… and not stuck in the epic doldrums of the mid-Pandemic. I thought I’d give a few updates about what’s been happening with me this season.

I am busier than I thought I would be, and busy in a good way. The Pandemic isn’t entirely over, but I don’t feel so trapped. The heavy inertia has lifted. And the change of season–and a reprieve from the summer heat–has revitalized my energy and focus.

Writing Life

Earlier this month, I joined the Breakthrough Writers Boot Camp, a writing program created by Kate Brauning for author and career development through webinars and workshops. I’m excited to build on my rusty skills, learn about the industry, make some connections, and plot a long-term course for myself. It was my birthday present to myself. It was a way to start shaking off the last of the dust from the inertia of last year and start moving forward. I’ve known for a long time that you can’t grow simply by reading everyone’s impersonal, two-cent advice on social media. You have to be active in your growth. So here I am.

I am also querying my science-fiction novel to agents. My instinct until now has been to submit a batch of queries and then pull my head in like a turtle and play dead when the rejections arrive. My goal is to be more intentional about submitting, because it does, unfortunately, come down to numbers. More rejections means more agents have seen and have considered my novel. From now on, I will send out a query for each rejection I receive, so that I always have a “query” out in the world. A query is just a question, after all, and a rejection is just an answer. The key is to keep asking.

Meanwhile, I’m also plotting a new novel. I’ve been developing an idea from its early stages into something workable, using Lisa Cron’s Story Genius guide. Contrary to popular belief plotting is not the same thing as outlining a novel. The plotting vs. pantsing (writing without a plan or by the seat of your pants) war that you see on Twitter and elsewhere is really a false dichotomy. When I plot, I’m mapping out where the story is headed and tracking both internal and external journeys of the main character.

My finished novel was a part of my life for ten years, so it will always be important to me. But I’ve finally reached the point where I can let it rest. Some day, Lord willing, I’ll be able to write a sequel. Until then, there are other stories to explore.

The Kitties

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Beatrix, my sweet six-and-a-half year old kitty, is still here and living her best life!

Last October, she was diagnosed with a 4-inch abdominal tumor, most likely lymphoma. She was given “weeks to months” to live. She’s been on steroids ever since: just a little lotion in her ear once a day. Some days she takes it with grace, others not. I tell her that at least it’s not a needle under the skin or a pill, but she still does not care for it.

It’s amazing that she’s doing so well. In fact, apart from the bigger than normal belly (side-effect of the steroids), her coat is full and soft, and she’s happy. She eats well, naps well, and is never sick, otherwise. One big reason for this is that she now has a little brother, Dax. I have two tuxedo cats with the sweets, sass, and smarts to match, living their best kitty lives.

In December 2020, a friend found Dax–then a five pound, four month old kitten–wandering in her backyard. It was the day before a snow storm, and COVID cases were surging. My friends couldn’t shelter him due to allergies in the family. So, I immediately took in the little furball and adopted him when no one claimed him. Bea put up with his antics (still does) and taught him how to “cat.” He is an adult now, but still very much a naughty kitten.

There is never a dull moment in this place. They tussle and squabble as cats do, but they genuinely like each other. They will bathe each other and sometimes sleep (if not fully snuggle) together, so if that isn’t an indication of friendship, I don’t know what is.

Beatrix has an exam and ultrasound coming up. I should have an update on her condition then. I am hopeful, but at the same time cautious, about what the next year could mean for her. Until then, it is business as usual.

Otherwise

I talk a lot about writing, but not about how I work full-time on top of that.

I’ve worked for the Department of Insurance for thirteen years. I was the receptionist until March 2020, when I became the staff assistant for the Financial Examination division. It has definitely been a good change for me; I like the challenge of organizing, keeping on top of statutory filings, and working on other projects. Soon, I’ll be adding other duties to my work schedule as well: coordinating all the travel for the department. This means work is offering some good challenges and is keeping me busy.

Writing, of course, earns me no money (yet), but this job gives me a focus and purpose outside of that. As much as I’d love to write all day for a living, I’m glad I have the flexibility and the income of this job, and the community of people I’ve known for over a decade. It’s a support system. When I write, money needs don’t lean on my creativity. Publishing is a precarious business that takes years to break into and isn’t a day-to-day hashed out plan. Writing is the thing that keeps me going.

So if you’re ever wondering what I’m doing in the early hours of the morning or on the weekends, I’m probably at my desk in the company of one or both cats, puzzling through a plot tangle with a pen in hand. I am grateful… for momentum, for fresh ideas, for new (autumn) leaves to turn over.

Until next time…

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