tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38811992011-10-21T13:43:58.945-05:00A writing journal _____________________________ PROFESSORBLOG@HOTMAIL.COMAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.comBlogger1701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-21603043673072853492010-02-17T11:19:00.002-05:002010-02-17T11:59:32.163-05:00

This is a list of the seven (7!) novels that I have in some stage of progress. They are listed in order of word count:* Identity (formerly Wanted) -- 100K words, manuscript complete. Needs a re-write to update the technology used. I also need to revisit Wayne's spiritual life, and make sure his character arc makes sense and that there is appropriate change for him. Target is the CBA marketplace.*

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-17401285919810179182010-01-26T17:01:00.002-05:002010-01-26T17:04:09.156-05:00

I am gathering all my works in progress, just to get a feel of where I am in each one, for purposes of analyzing each one in context of the others. Which to continue? Which to trash? Which to shelve for a while?

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-4571156808421493392009-12-31T19:39:00.002-05:002010-01-01T19:47:45.509-05:00

I started the revision process for Identity, but did not get that far. I even had a crit partner, but was woefully poor in sending him stuff. I just odn't know if that story is the one that's going to work. I do have some changes to it in mind, so perhaps it could work.I was more successful with NaNo, knocking out 50K of that novel, about halfway done. That is the story I am more excited about

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-42122657380335308702009-11-11T11:36:00.002-05:002009-11-11T11:46:28.713-05:00

I have managed to live up to the name of this blog this Novemeber, getting in every day at least 1,000 words. Of course for NaNo you need to average 1,667 per day, and I have struggled to get that far each day.But after ten days, when the cumulative quota is 16,667 words, I have knocked out 16,902. Not too far ahead, but a little ahead. My concern is that I have just about run out of my outline -

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-51762202115444942562009-10-27T10:56:00.001-05:002009-10-27T10:56:51.522-05:00

A Hero Over His HeadIn 2065, Gus Fuller is barely making a living as a low-level government-employed superhero. But when disaster decimates the ranks of superheroes worldwide, Gus finds himself thrown into responsibilities and situations well beyond his abiliites and experience.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-88011494265894539112009-10-25T17:51:00.001-05:002009-10-25T17:52:35.267-05:00

I am dong NaNo again, National Novel Writing Month. I did it first in 2002, and a few times since then. I am hoping for a kickstart to get myself back in writing mode, where writing is higher on the priority list than it has been the last few eyars.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-3654295615383567932009-05-27T12:00:00.000-05:002009-06-09T12:02:03.201-05:00

I have found a new reader, a crit partner who has a fantasy novel very far along.This is good news, and gives me more motivation for the re-write. Gabe is anxious to read, and I did have to send him the first 4 chapters of the old version ... but now I have good reason to re-write the rest, so he has the "best version" to work on.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-86385139808029269942009-04-15T11:30:00.002-05:002009-04-15T11:43:51.595-05:00

Maybe it's just rationalization, maybe it's not.But I'm thinking that Identity needs another revision, that maybe Leila needs as much POV-time as Wayne, that maybe it's her story as much as his.But that would necessitate putting off conference and agent hunt till 2010. Of course, maybe by then the economy will have turned around enough that it will have a better chance ........Don't know.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-26553326281315945922009-04-11T11:08:00.000-05:002009-04-15T11:22:09.899-05:00

It's more like reviser's block, and it is definitely a psychological thing on my part.In the ____ number of months since I last posted about Identity, I have accomplised a few things, most notably going through Sally Stuart's Market Guide and finding a dozen or so potential agents and publishers for the novel.But I have not finished the stupid outline yet ... I cruised through chapter 39 (of 40),

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-77593870428539167142008-11-13T15:57:00.003-05:002008-11-13T16:02:38.009-05:00

I am stuck in the synopsis process. The last few weeks have gotten busy, as the end of the quarter has snuck up on me, as it always does this time of year.The synopsis currently covers 32 of the 40 chapters. My goal is get to 36 by next Thursday (Final Exam day), and then all 40 by Thanksgiving. Then ..... all of December is for editing the synopsis.I am shooting for 2 writing conferences next

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-5592822205331705792008-11-02T11:46:00.000-05:002008-11-07T11:52:25.667-05:00

National Novel Writing Month was what kick-started my writing life, way back when in 2002. I skipped once along the way, and have decided to do so again for 2008.Why?Because the last thing I need is another unfinished manuscript, which is what I end up NaNo with.My focus needs to be on getting Identiy (formerly Wanted) in shape to send it out -- synopsis, cover letter, etc ...

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-75532463133014904212008-10-13T16:21:00.001-05:002008-10-13T16:22:34.291-05:00

Identity (formerly Wanted) has 40 chapters -- and the synopsis now covers the first 25.Harder than I thought it would be to summarize a few thousand words in a few sentences.And once the synopsis is written, then I need to EDIT it! Crazy process, this is.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-90327135534593323912008-09-29T11:17:00.002-05:002008-09-29T11:28:44.621-05:00

I was picked by from the royal fortress meadowMy list--1. I like dried mangoes from Trader Joe's2. I am a fantasy/sf/comics geek3. I am a sucker for competition TV shows of various kinds4. I like ice cream5. I outline/plan before I write6. I prefer to write with pen & paper before entering it to the computer7. I own very few books -- the library is my friend8. I prefer things in even numbers,

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-12404541342102873752008-08-07T16:28:00.001-05:002008-08-19T16:30:57.907-05:00

It's been a while, hasn't it? But since I am putting the finishing touches on my one completed novel, manuscript, Identity (formerly Wanted), I intend to get back on the posting bandwagon here and keep myself updated on the progress of preparing to submit / attend conferences.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-87539021100091514542007-07-17T09:09:00.001-05:002008-11-07T11:53:16.039-05:00

Church writers group last night. For the summer, we had "kid friendly group" -- my 16 yo came with me. That was fun.This is one of the haiku I wrote during "open time:"Summer vacationsitting on the porch, wind blowsMan, I love my job.And another, about working on "Wanted" this summer:Reviewing old words.I once thought this junk was good?I hate re-writing.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-30899199853797766842007-07-02T17:32:00.000-05:002007-08-21T09:14:06.358-05:00

I gave my daughter (16 yo) the first 5 chapters of the re-written "Wanted." It is about 40 chapters total.She gave me the thumbs-up. I know, she's related to me, but she reads a lot and will be able to tell me if the plot falls apart, if the characters are inconsistent, etc ...

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-78567285448719223702007-06-20T09:06:00.000-05:002007-08-21T09:10:41.676-05:00

Church writers group a few days ago. Good one. I talked about my plans to rewrite / revise "Wanted" over the summer. Have not started that process yet, but I am hoping that a public commitment will help me actually do it.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-4016548387776171002007-05-01T10:12:00.000-05:002007-08-21T09:11:28.189-05:00

From the Wall Street Journal article "Chabon's Amazing Rewrite Adventure," by San Schechner------------------------I shudder now when I think that I would have published the old draft," says Mr. Chabon ... Instead, after consultations with his editor, he spent about eight months reworking the entire book ... He added a flashback structure and pared down the language.Next week, after five years,

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1162145298537098412006-10-29T13:04:00.000-05:002006-10-29T13:39:47.016-05:00

In 2051, American Protestant missionary Bryce Wade arrives at his posting in Central Africe. Hired to do bible translation work at the ecumenical Works of Mercy Center at the old border between ___________ and ________________. Bryce quickly realizes that the Center is largely a ministry of teh Roman Catholic Church, and that his presence on staff represents their efforts at ecumenism. The only

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1162142577804324622006-10-25T11:17:00.000-05:002006-10-29T12:22:57.816-05:00

The Saint John Paul Resource Center (formerly the Works of Mercy Center), recently renamed and expanded as a school, health center, ministry center, communication center, and outreach center to the local ytribes and peoples. This was done at the urging of Pope Gregory XVIII, a Tanzanian man, formerly Archbishop of Nairobi, now the world's first African pope. Gregory is known for his desire for

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1161997741258039792006-10-23T20:07:00.000-05:002006-10-27T20:22:24.623-05:00

Bryce Wade; Born in 2018 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Grew up in an intellectual/atheist home, one of three sons born to an artist father and history profesor mother. Had a religious experience as a result of a friendship with a family of Assembly of God beleivers, and made a commitment to Chrsit in college. The strain that this caused in his family was exacerbated by the fact that he chose to go

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1161964773786912442006-10-22T19:31:00.000-05:002006-10-27T10:59:34.406-05:00

Brother Paolo Miguel DelHierro. Born in 2007 in ___________, Argentina. Devout Catholic family, appreciative of the church's care for his mother and family after the death of his father in 2021. Joined the Benedictine order in 2032, after the death of Pope Benedict XVII. Served at the monastery of St. ____________ in ___________, _____________. Felt called to serve in Africa, to help the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1161962704878068962006-10-19T10:21:00.000-05:002006-10-27T10:30:37.766-05:00

I ned to know some of the steps to sainthood, as well as whether a Pope who becomes a Saint (as a posit for John Paul II) is known as Pope or Saint. My main characters work in a buliding named for him, and I need to figure out if that would be the "Saint John Paul II complex" or "Pope John Paul" or "Saint Pope . . . " I just don't know.I also need to skim a biography of John Paul, and find out

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1161107625155384092006-10-16T19:53:00.000-05:002006-10-17T12:53:45.156-05:00

Paolo Miguel DelHierro, Catholic brother/monk, missionary in Central AfricaBryce Wade, Protestant missionary, his work intersects with DelHierroLucas Brennan ________ (needs a last name), has been a vampire for 120 yearsLucas' mom (needs a first & last name), whom we learn in flashbacks was into the spiritualism movement of the early 1900s, including seances and mediums, opening the family up to

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1161107127477736192006-10-14T12:45:00.000-05:002006-10-17T12:51:16.416-05:00

I have settled on Central Africa for the setting, with an American Protestant missionary aiding a Brazilian or Argentinian Catholic missionary. Their work is needed in Central Africa due to the "Water Wars" . . . . I have read a few futurists predicting that the next great wars will be over water, so I'll toss that in as the background. I need an African nation or region to anchor it to, maybe

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1161106781117062562006-10-13T07:07:00.000-05:002006-10-17T12:39:41.120-05:00

I have figured out the setting, at least a little bit.I think that 2051 sounds good to me, I wanted it in the future to add some commentary about the world/church . . . Since the church is progressively moving below the equator, I am thinking the hero is either South American or African, and perhaps the setting is the other. Maybe an African missionary working in SA, or a South American

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1161106306689279772006-10-09T12:26:00.000-05:002006-10-17T12:31:46.703-05:00

I think this idea has potential, actually, although NaNoWriMo gives me the opportunity to just write it as a lark -- talk about potent imagery, blood, crucifixes, etc . . . it's a natural tale to tap into from my perspective. I am thinking that a guy is demonized (in flashbacks?) and lives a long long time (more than 100 years?) as a vampire, or at least thinking (deceived) that he is one. Don't

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1160490201498021482006-10-03T09:18:00.000-05:002006-10-10T09:23:21.506-05:00

I have two ideas for this years NaNo . . . re-do last year's, which was interrupted mid-month by my mother's death. Or something new, the something new being . . . a Christian vampire story. I have not worked out the details yet, but it's a concept that has been running around my brain for most of this year, and maybe if I spend a month writing it, it'll not bother me anymore.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1159705658606911982006-10-01T07:20:00.000-05:002006-10-01T07:27:38.616-05:00

Plot and Structure, by James Scott Bell. Bell is a writer of Christian fiction, and even though I am a reader of Christian fiction, I have actually never read any of his novels. Anyway, he is also a columnist at Writer's Dirgest, and this book is one in their "Writing Great Fiction" series.What I learned in this book was the LOCK process of plotting . . . L for lead character, O for the lead

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1159539478958448042006-09-20T09:00:00.000-05:002006-09-29T09:17:58.976-05:00

I got there real early, and was able to hang out for a while with some buds before the actual meeting started. I got some good feedback some Kim, she gives specific thoughts and I find her comments are usually right on target. Talked to Kerry about her potential agent contact, which seems to be up in the air. She is working on co-writing a novel with Bob, her mentor from writing group.Group

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1156890245571801782006-08-31T17:18:00.000-05:002006-09-02T19:32:46.566-05:00

I just noticed that I haven't done this yet. The closest I got to this was reading a book with biographies of authors, but it didn't really have enough writing content to count. I have kept up with my reading of The Writer and Writers Digest, but I need to get to the library and find a good book on writing.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1156889369858590562006-08-23T17:07:00.000-05:002006-08-29T17:09:29.870-05:00

I missed this meeting, but I did get more from Kerry. She is waiting to here from an agent she met re: NorthStone. This guy is not predominantly a literary agent, but I guess it's better than nothing!I am definitely going to MAKE the September meeting.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1156890604365410952006-08-15T17:28:00.000-05:002006-08-29T17:31:52.696-05:00

{AT THE SAME TIME}The door slammed. Kenny waited for the footfalls to fade away down the hallway. He appeared in the kitchen of their apartment, where he had been standing when he heard Melissa rise from her sleep. He couldn’t’ run or hide, but he did not want to face her, either. So standing right where he was, he vanished. Fearing she would hear even his smallest move, he stood rock steady,

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1156889462183096722006-08-04T17:09:00.000-05:002006-08-29T17:11:02.183-05:00

I have edited through scene 32. Mostly I am using Amy's comments from when I posted this in progress at NaNo. Very helpful, and I am finding her comments more helpful now that a few years have passed since writing it.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1156890380033037422006-07-31T17:24:00.000-05:002006-08-29T17:27:32.643-05:00

It weighed on her like the belly of a sumo. She could only remember snippets, snatches; it was akin to having a dream disappear as soon your brain wakes up. She remembered Kenny storming after her unspeakable blunder into his room, remembered the bar, maybe it was more than one, but she remembered the bar, maybe it was more than one, but she remembered Donny cutting her off, because she was

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1153423839840090662006-07-20T14:13:00.000-05:002006-07-20T14:30:39.936-05:00

We had writers group this month -- it was not cancelled, and all the cool people showed up, too! I gave Kerry the feedback I had on her work, as well as catching her up through scene 25 of Nowhere Man. Kim gave me some good feedback on my work, as well.The key question she asked is whether the crux of the story involves Kenny's relationship with his power, or Kenny's relationship with Melissa.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1152539199273657332006-07-10T08:44:00.000-05:002006-07-10T08:48:40.873-05:00

Finished up Scene 56 yesterday. Melissa is cracking under the pressure, threatens to move out.Looking forward to scene 57, Cameron and Kenny, Kenny talking about Melissa's betrayal.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1152539002154877922006-06-10T09:36:00.000-05:002006-07-10T08:43:22.153-05:00

Cancelled -- big event at church that many want to attend. Cool.I have got nothing more for Kim, to keep her and Kerry on the same spot.. But I have a big envelope of stuff for Kerry, her work and mine.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1152538873674322132006-05-22T06:56:00.000-05:002006-07-10T08:41:13.686-05:00

I gave a little bit of Nowhere Man to Kim, who had critiqued previous work I gave her. Good feedback, some minor changes to be made on the next pass through.Kerry was not there, so I was not able to give her Nowhere Man or my comments on Peter Holland.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1147278312733813622006-05-10T11:20:00.000-05:002006-05-10T11:25:12.733-05:00

Working now on scene 55, about 60,000 words in. I need to update the computerized version, as it is up to only about scene 52 or so. Kenny is now giving Melissa the "invisible treatment," and she knows he is around, but ignoring her. She is coming to the realization that he is not going to "get over" his pique at her loose tongue any time soon. She is going to RPG group tonight, and will cover

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146854185386356462006-04-19T09:51:00.000-05:002006-05-10T11:17:23.080-05:00

Whew! Neither Kim nor Kerry (nor me) showed up last month, so none of us stood up any of us. I gave them both up to Scene 17, about one-third of what I have written. That is far as I have gotten with the editing.Kerry has three in process, all at different phases, but she doesn't have a lot of passion about any of them. She is pretty much waiting for the last of her agent/publisher queries on "

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146853562517751672006-03-21T19:24:00.000-05:002006-05-05T13:26:02.516-05:00

Ooops! I forgot to go.I am pretty sure that Kerry was not going to go, but I hope Kim wasn't waiting for me a half-hour beforehand.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146853212550990922006-02-21T17:13:00.000-05:002006-05-05T13:20:12.550-05:00

The pre-meeting meeting of my crit group went well. I distributed the first 7 edited scenes of Nowhere Man, and Kerry said she would email me what she is working on. She seems to be in the midst of a writing flurry, at least in terms of volume. Kim is revising/rewriting, and will get me stuff in a few months.The meeting itself was good, too -- "The Elements of Story." We talked about what we

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146853396908292552006-02-07T08:47:00.000-05:002006-05-05T13:23:21.626-05:00

Kim and Kerry have convinced me that the novel they want to crit is "Nowhere Man" -- I think it was the alien that persuaded them . . . . .This one is about 57K long at this point, about 2/3 finished. So my plan is to edit the early scenes before giving them away, as well as adding to it. Thisis my motivation to work on it -- I don't want them to catch up to where I stopped writing, so I am

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1147278536796425042006-01-23T12:25:00.000-05:002006-05-10T11:28:56.796-05:00

So I was working in Nursery at church last weekend, and introduced myself to my co-worker. She looked my name tag and asked, "Are you famous?"Flummoxed, I shook my head slowly, and shrugged.The Nursery supervisor, who had overheard this exchange, piped up. "He wrote the first devotional in the Advent book."My co-worker smiled and nodded. "I only read the first few, but they were really good.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146852791511947792006-01-18T14:08:00.000-05:002006-05-05T13:13:11.523-05:00

Good meeting -- we talked about "the art of critique." Lorie has plans of beginning in Feb a year-long theme related to "story." Should be interesting.Am going to email back and forth with Kim & Kerry about which of my Projects-In-Process they are going to read for me. We also agreed to start meeting, the 3 of us, about 30 minutes before the regular group, for discussion and crit exchange.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146851723996181552006-01-13T20:57:00.000-05:002006-05-05T12:55:23.996-05:00

* Complete re-write of "Wanted," a novel manuscript I finished 12/2000, having received crits in 2005 from my top two writing buddies. The ultimate goal is to have this in shape to take it to a writing conference in 2007.* Read and respond to each and every thing I get from my top two writing bussies.* Finish 2005 NANO ("C U L8R"), 2003 NANO ("Nowhere Man") or 2002 NANO ("Soulmates") -- Need to

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146850915971375712006-01-05T11:35:00.000-05:002006-05-05T12:41:55.973-05:00

* Complete re-write of "Wanted," a novel manuscript I finished 12/2000, currently under complete review by 2 friends, with 2 others looking at pieces and parts of it (did not happen, but I got the reviews from Kim & Kerry. ROLLED OVER TO 2006) * Finish 2003 NANO ("Nowhere Man") or 2002 NANO ("Soulmates") (ROLLED OVER TO 2006)* If above is accomplished (and only IF), try 2005 NANO (Tried, CUL8R,

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146850421552088782005-12-12T16:03:00.000-05:002006-05-05T12:49:05.976-05:00

I was pretty well on-schedule until a family crisis happened. I ended up at about 22,000 words, and have a pretty good feeling for where this is going. I am getting to know Jackie, the newest character, better, and am weighing a couple of options for her storyline.I'm thinking about which project-in-process to pick up in the new year, so this may be continued in the near future . . . or sit

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1146850052990925312005-11-19T13:23:00.000-05:002006-05-05T12:27:39.796-05:00

My mother passed away a few days ago, and of course NaNo is sliding down the priority list. Technically, there will be writing time on the plane to and from, but I doubt it will happen.I will post NaNo details later.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1130810277890721762005-10-31T20:35:00.000-05:002005-10-31T20:57:57.946-05:00

Todd Stansifer (POV) -- 30/M, working on Ph.D. in management at Maryland State University in Silver Spring. Shy guy, not prone to sharing, the anonymity of online chat is refreshing/shocking to him. Answered an altar call (2 weeks before the story starts) at church with Jasmine Menard -- "occasional" churchgoer in his background/family . GF Paige ignores/does not treat him well, but he takes

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1130808612575530642005-10-31T20:18:00.000-05:002005-10-31T20:30:12.603-05:00

Thoughts on the NANO, now titled "C U L8R"Idea --> Man involved in online chat finds the anonymity allows for surprising openness, which seduces, but he finds real-world relationships are hurting. This begins a spiral of addiction/obsession with the online world, thinking he is finding true "friends" and "community."Intention --> To write a novel about a man whose obsessive involvement in

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1130339132507773142005-10-24T20:57:00.000-05:002005-10-26T10:05:32.513-05:00

For my NANO '05 project, I have decided to go with the non-sequel. This is a work in process currently called "LOL," which I am going to re-title "A/S/L" for the re-write. I am scrapping the few thousand words I wrote a couple years ago, tossing out those notecards, deleting the file, and starting from scratch in just about one week.The BIG IDEA for the work: "What is Community?" A guy gets

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1129244606123261242005-10-13T17:44:00.000-05:002005-10-13T18:03:26.156-05:00

I have narrowed down my NANO choices to two: The Sequel and the Non-Sequel. I can't decide which to do.The Sequel would be a follow-up to my only finished manuscript, "Wanted," which I intend to re-write in early '06 and prepare it for submission. The advantage of the sequel is that I already know the characters, and I know where the key personal relationship is going. The drawback is that is

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1128992064353874302005-10-10T19:49:00.000-05:002005-10-10T19:54:24.373-05:00

Well, I set myself from rules about how much work I'd have to do to justify my joining NANO this year, I didn't actually achieve them, but . . . I signed up anyway! I was a good boy and took last year off, but I can't skip for two years in a row.I've got my novel selection narrowed down to two; will post these ideas later.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1128386052094167762005-10-03T19:30:00.000-05:002005-10-03T19:34:12.103-05:00

29 days from now is November -- and at this time of the night on 11/1, I'd better have put at least 1500 words down on paper to make the quota. Because November is national novel writing month, an exercise I have participated in 2 of the last 3 years.I'll probably do it this year -- I am thinking about it, and will put some of my thoughts down here as they become clearer in my mind and as the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1127425559611588812005-09-22T16:35:00.000-05:002005-09-22T16:46:53.200-05:00

As I said earlier, one of my crit buddies finished her work on my manuscript "Wanted" and gave me some good food for thought. The revision process will begin soon (fingers crossed as I type), and I think it's one good re-write away from being submittable (publishable is not up to me). Anyway, things she pointed out to me included:* My villain is very villainous (even likable in a villainous sort

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1127398606583400992005-09-20T09:01:00.000-05:002005-09-22T09:16:46.613-05:00

This is the title of the manuscript I finished in '99, have revised once myself, and am getting ready to do so again. It has been with a pair of writing friends of mine, and one has finished her reading and given me her comments.This is exactly what I hoped to get when I first wandered into the room 18 months ago to attend a writers group meeting at my church. I had been in another writers'

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1125943948242033522005-09-05T13:10:00.000-05:002005-09-05T13:12:57.630-05:00

This is the second scene in Nowhere Man -- more about this novel as a whole sometime later. In the first scene, male lead Kenny has had a therapy appointment. In this scene, we see him again and we meet female lead Melissa.Melissa followed most of her colleagues out of the front door. Only Dr. Gonzalez and the office manager Lian remained behind. They always worked a few minutes later than the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1125762482576679732005-09-03T10:43:00.000-05:002005-09-03T10:48:02.700-05:00

I have been fixated on Bravo's Situation:Comedy, a show that takes two writing teams through the process of getting a pilot filmed for possible TV broadcast. The process of going from script to show was eye-opening, as was the expected role of creators as their creation was developed by the network; that role? Little, if anything. It was interesting that the two scripts chosen (supposedly the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1125067512696612542005-08-26T09:12:00.000-05:002005-08-26T09:45:12.753-05:00

I'll talk in depth at some point about each of the projects, but here is where I am in each of my novels-in-progress.Wanted -- A thriller -- This one is complete, at 105,000 words, and most charpters are in their second or third draft. Two friends are reading / editing / critiquing the latest version now, and I have my mind set on December as the month to do (maybe just begin?) the full rewrite

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1124977829901786382005-08-25T08:38:00.000-05:002005-08-25T08:50:29.933-05:00

I am thinking this blog will have three main types of entries.1) Thoughts about writing in general; writing advice, writing books, etc . . .2) Thoughts about my writing in particular; my plans, updates, synopses, outlines, character sketches, etc . . .3) My actual writings -- scenes, stories, etc . . .Looking forward.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1124759812877217572005-08-22T20:09:00.000-05:002005-08-22T20:16:52.883-05:00

Well, actually you have to do more like 1600-1700 a day during Novembers if you want to complete National Novel Writing Month, which I did in 2002 and 2003. I am considering a run again in 2005, after taking last year off. The problem with my NANO experiences is they left me with two long yet still unfinished manuscripts. So I have been poking on them since, and have to ask myself if I want to

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1124450555856488972005-08-18T09:22:00.000-05:002005-08-19T06:30:48.353-05:00

I started this blog nearly three years ago, when I was figuring out what to do next in my writing. I had heard enough about the "Thousand-Words-A-Day" rule -- the impetus was Carolyn See, but the concept is all over -- that I thought I would give it a shot, and since the name was still available for a blog, this site was born.At nearly the same time (within a few days of each other), I signed up

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1124399387670675882005-08-15T16:06:00.000-05:002005-08-19T06:22:10.953-05:00

It has been about 2 years since I last used this blog, but I have missed it, and others around me have picked up blogging, so it seemed like a good idea to try this again. I think I overdosed on blogging way back when, but am clean and sober now, and ready to indulge once more.Look here for in-progress works, bits and pieces of things, musings on writing, etc . . .Looking forward.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-903303812003-09-30T09:23:00.000-05:002005-08-20T19:38:39.116-05:00

Cameron's Ideas10 activities that make you feel more grounded50 specific things your heart lovesIf it weren't so selfish, I'd love to try . . . (5)If it weren't so expensive, I'd love to try . . . (5)If it weren't so frivolous, I'd love to own . . . (5)If it weren't so scary, I'd love to tell . . . (5)If I had five other lives, I'd love to be . . . (5)List 50 angering grievances from the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1063801202878448222003-09-17T07:05:00.000-05:002003-09-17T07:41:32.323-05:00

This is a synopsis / summary of my upcoming Na No Wri Mo novel . . . only 44 days away! Nowhere Man Kenny Risinger is working with a counselor to get his life together. The counselor is paid partly by Kenny's university, where he is in his 6th year, and "almost graduated." Aside from lifelong friend Melissa Allgood, the only person he trusts is his counselor, Cameron Cardoza. Kenny works on a

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1062604239288114422003-09-01T10:46:00.000-05:002003-09-03T10:57:56.533-05:00

I am a little more upbeat about my Na No Wri mo writers group than I was a month or so ago. We took August off officially (after taking it off unofficially for July and June, as it sort of turned out), but it looks like there will be good attendance at tomorrow night's meeting. November is right around the corner, and so Na No Wri Mo is once again on our minds, so our raison d'etre is on our

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1062603977298442622003-08-25T10:37:00.000-05:002003-09-03T10:46:17.363-05:00

Publishing Update My academic journal is to be published in a few weeks, and I did get a copy of the table of contents -- there I am! Very good news. I can now almost beleive that it is ging to happen. This is a big career deal for me, as I march towards tenure. And of course tenture would give me the freedom and stability to pursue creative work in a more serious manner. Good news. My creative

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1062604347449963862003-08-12T10:50:00.000-05:002003-09-03T11:21:12.220-05:00

This is one of Cameron's ideas. I have not done many writing exercises lately, so I thought I would pull out one of these. 50 things I like about myself: 1. My sense of humor 2. My sense of style (no, really) 3. That my parents like me 4. That I have never given up on my writing career 5. That my daughter likes me 6. That I can work pretty well by myself 7. That I have never been

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1060456300897105352003-08-07T14:06:00.000-05:002003-08-09T14:11:49.926-05:00

Hello friends, it's been a while. It looks like my two publications will be out in a little more than a month. The academic work is scheduled to be published in the middle of Spetember, per an email that I just got. I have put off following up in that work until it is published, but I have to get on with it soon. Like this week. Anyway, the literary magazine that is scheduled to publish me has

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1059057574820198282003-07-28T09:36:00.000-05:002003-07-24T10:35:32.190-05:00

I had a great dream a few night's ago. I have been thinking long and hard about next November's Na No Wri Mo book, and had a dream or two about it. And you know that weird twilight between waking and sleep? I spent some of that time thinking about the book, and made some good progress, the least of which may have been with my confidence re: the ability of my idea to become a novel. I love it to

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1059061011482066282003-07-20T18:36:00.000-05:002003-07-24T11:03:00.116-05:00

More from the Burroway book. Her second chapter is about story form and structure, and has some interesting things to say about that topic. There are a lot of stories out there, we have a million little episodes a day that happen, but most of them are not GOOD stories. This was a nice little difference she puts out, the difference between A STORY and A GOOD STORY. She also points out that there

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1058397959867625312003-07-16T18:02:00.000-05:002003-07-16T18:25:59.833-05:00

I think my writing group is in critical condition. And I am not talking about how we judge and look at each others' work -- get it, crit? critical? O K, never mind. But seriously folks, the last few meetings have been sparsely attended, including last night's where I showed up . . . that is right, just me, and not a soul else. Last time, two weeks ago, I could not make it and heard nothing (As in

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1059009573565851232003-07-14T20:18:00.000-05:002003-07-24T07:29:59.560-05:00

Found in the library a book by Janet Burroway called "Writing Fiction." I have the 4th edition. This is based on a recommendation from my writing group, a member thereof is using it as a text in a class she is taking. I like some of the advice just in the first few chapters. One of the nice aspects is the motto "Whatever Works." Whenever the author describes a technique or tip that she recommends

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1059050154130027012003-07-12T19:34:00.000-05:002003-07-24T08:03:56.950-05:00

I subscribed to BowWow, the magazine that is going to print my Na No Wri Mo excerpt in a few months or so. I wanted to get a feel for the magazine for a few reasons. I wanted to support the magazine that was supporting me, for one thing. I also wanted to get a sneak preview of the journal of the quality of the magazine, how slick and professional and polished it was . . . or not . . . about how

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-1058719922308617702003-07-06T11:42:00.000-05:002003-07-24T07:36:28.586-05:00

Remember that burst of productivity I wrote about a few months ago? Well it is gone and has gone away so fast and so far that I am actually legitimately bummed out. I guess I am a sensitive soul, and emotional man, which is good raw materials for the writing life, but this is ridiculous. I have tried a few exercises, tried a few tips and techniques, but it just is not going anywhere. I need the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002870122003-05-14T15:32:00.000-05:002003-05-17T13:41:32.000-05:00

Working my way through the book "Rejected: The Chronicles of a Failed Writer" by Jack Harris Adlor. It is pretty amazing, though certainly it is also disturbing and painful. Adlor wrote a journal over the ten years that he was trying to submit stories and novels to agents and magazines. The entire irony of the story is that the only thing that Adlor ever published was this book, the chronicle of

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002743452003-05-10T15:50:00.000-05:002003-05-11T12:02:47.000-05:00

I have the other assignment here for the Na No Wri mo meeting we had a few days ago now. This was a really interesting one, it is a card game called "Nano Fiction." First I have to explain that this is not the same Na No as in National Novel Writing Month, this is Nano as "nano second" or "nano technology" . . . the prefix meaing extremely extrememy extremely small. Nano Fiction (in this sense)

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002561632003-05-08T07:41:00.000-05:002003-05-07T11:58:05.000-05:00

This is what we did at the meeting on Tuesday of the Na No Wri Mo group. We did two in-class writing assignments. I will talk about the second one first, which I guess came form Amy's writing class at O S U. At least, that was my impression. She gave us a stack of photographs to go through, selecting one that would serve as the jumping off point or the characters in the story. I selected one with

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002570332003-05-08T07:06:00.000-05:002003-05-08T08:52:27.000-05:00

This is what we did at the meeting on Tuesday of the Na No Wri Mo group. We did two in-class writing assignments. I will talk about the second one first, which I guess came form Amy's writing class at O S U. At least, that was my impression. She gave us a stack of photographs to go through, selecting one that would serve as the jumping off point or the characters in the story. I selected one with

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002559592003-05-07T11:02:00.000-05:002003-05-07T11:41:17.000-05:00

Let me tell you about yesterday's meeting of the Na No Wri Mo writers' group. In a bold move, we met at one of the people's house. Seemed like a great idea at the time, until it dawned on people of the group that we would actually have to meet at someone's house. I think that may have been a little too personal or intimate or just plain scary for some of us . . . only three showed up, down from

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002485592003-05-05T06:38:00.000-05:002003-05-06T07:57:58.000-05:00

Getting ready for this week's meeting of the Na No Wri Mo group. Last night, I printed out with a few minor edits here and there the story that I wrote for the contest. This was the contest that was the start with the first line that we came up with or that some one else in the group came up with or whatever. Actually, I used the one that was for The First Line magazine contest. Maybe that is not

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002492062003-05-02T09:10:00.000-05:002003-05-06T09:42:09.000-05:00

This is another of Cameron's assignemnts from her books and workshops and writings, that have been translated into a pair of books. I did not actually read the books, I listened to audio versions of the books, read by Cameron. So I guess what I got more closely resembled her lectures or work shops, which are audio experiences, anyway. So here we go. If it weren't so selfish, I'd love to try . .

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002488812003-04-30T10:58:00.000-05:002003-05-06T09:08:30.000-05:00

Wow, here we are, six months into this blog, and I am pretty satisfied. I know that I have not done it every day, like I expected, which is designed to be a chance to write every day, well actually every week day, five days a week, a thousand words a day. I managed to pull it off pretty well, I think. I of course fell into the Na No Wri Mo situation jsut a few days later. Now that was very good

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002339972003-04-28T13:11:00.000-05:002003-05-06T06:38:53.000-05:00

This is an assignment based on Julia Cameron's works that I have referenced over the last month or so. Check out the Feb and Mar archives for my original thoughts on the topics. Her books are based on her workshops and classes, and both include a wide range of subjects. Some are more technical as a writing discipline and some are more on the "spiritual" side if you will, and involve contacting

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002334022003-04-24T07:36:00.000-05:002003-05-02T13:10:23.000-05:00

I am in the midst of very nice burst of productivity. That is to say, that I hope that I am in the middle of this burst of productivity. It would a complete and total bummer of the highest and most epic proportions to find myself at the end of this burst of productivity. I have written the story that I put on the site a few days ago. I liked that one, that topic at least, because it does relate

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002169002003-04-21T22:05:00.000-05:002003-04-29T12:30:21.000-05:00

I know that my work in this blog has not always lived up to its name. I do not know if I have done a consistent thousand words a day, but I am trying to get back into the swing of this blog and into the true spirit of it, which is to write anything, five days a week, and not focus so much on the thousand words. So I am going to work on that a bit, write about what I am doing, writing or not

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002066942003-04-19T13:31:00.000-05:002003-04-29T12:03:42.000-05:00

This is the story I wrote for the April assignment of the Na No Wri Mo group. ASL “So, all of it was just a lie?” I could see disappointment and anger fight for control of her eyes. “No, of course not,” I answered. “Not all.” I knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as those last two words slipped out my mouth. Silence fell like a guillotine between us, severing the connection between us

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002166932003-04-16T11:28:00.000-05:002003-04-29T12:02:29.000-05:00

Hey, the Na No Wri Mo group is doing some work. There have been some crits posted on the site, even one of a story that I wrote. And I did a crit on another work. So I will speak about both of those experiences here. Amy posted a crit of my Cockburn story to our site. This was the story about Bryce Burns, who is trying to live the great Bruce Cockburn song, "Child of the Wind." It is a great song

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002072052003-04-12T16:44:00.000-05:002003-04-27T17:17:28.000-05:00

We talked about doing our next meeting as a social event, and not just as much as a writing group meeting. We are thinking about going ot two meetings a month. We had talked about this before in terms of Sep and Oct, in prep for the next go round of the Na No Wri Mo thing. I thought that this made a lot of sense, in terms of preparation and plotting and outlinning and all of those things that can

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002067892003-04-09T10:08:00.000-05:002003-04-27T16:43:00.000-05:00

I have been giving Na No Wri Mo some thought lately. Not last year's Na No Wri Mo novel, however, which is still unfinished and will have an excerpt published this summer. Let me not blow by that, because it is really exciting of course to have anything published. And of course it is important to put the finishing touches on the novel that I started last November. I was planning on knocking that

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2001997012003-04-05T13:30:00.000-05:002003-04-25T16:03:48.000-05:00

And then there was the Gateway Arch. I failed to mention that in my rundown of the trip to Saint Louis I offered up in the blog a few entries ago, but it may have very well been the absolute highlight of the trip. I had never seen the structure before, save from an airline once a few years. I think I wrote about that a few days ago, re: my prior trip for a church related conference with friends

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002010862003-04-03T11:38:00.000-05:002003-04-25T17:20:28.000-05:00

Very nice meeting on Tuesday of the Na No Wri Mo group that I am a part of. Despite being late (as I explained to the group beforehand and explained in this blog a few entries ago) and not finishing the assignment (as I explained to the grou pbeforehand and explained in this blog a few entries ago), it was a pleasant time. They did go over their assignments, which of course I had not completed.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2002009332003-03-31T17:04:00.000-05:002003-04-25T16:33:16.000-05:00

I am getting ready for tomorrow's meeting of the Na No Wri Mo writers' group that meets at Borders. We were supposed to write one thousand to five thousand words on a joke or a prank or some sort of related April Fooos' Day meeting. I have not written one. I am not a fan of April Fools Day, I have never been a fan of April Fools Day, and I expect never to be a fan of April Fools Day. So I had a

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2001995492003-03-29T13:05:00.000-05:002003-04-25T12:28:21.000-05:00

Saint Louis went pretty well. I did indeed get a number of comments (most positive, and even the ones that were not so positive [to put the bast face on it] were constructive) on my presentation. This was not the conference that gave me an award and will publish the paper, because quite frankly this is a little higher level conference. Academics is a very stratified field. That fact by itself

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2001824432003-03-25T11:38:00.000-05:002003-04-22T10:54:31.000-05:00

Back to academic work and academic writing. This time it is similar to the story of going to Chicago that I wrote about a few weeks ago. This time it is the Gateway City of Saint Louis, Missouri. I am flying out tomorrow morning in the early hours and through Chicago, I end up Saint Louis. I am there for a conference which starts that day, then goes on the next day and half of the day that

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2001820012003-03-22T10:30:00.000-05:002003-04-22T10:35:29.000-05:00

Hey, I have good news to report. An actual publishing success, and this time NOT in an academic journal. I mean an actual creative work of mine has been accepted in a literary journal. A small literary journal for sure, one I had not heard of and neither have you, but it actually exists and has a website and will publish on paper sometime this Summer. So this is very good news. And of course I

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2001758242003-03-20T09:00:00.000-05:002003-04-21T08:34:55.000-05:00

You ever been so thirsty that you drink so much that you give yourself a tummy ache so you stop drinking -- even though you are still thirsty? Or that you are so hungry that you eat way too much, but you don't know it at the time because you were still hungry but then you got sick because you had actually eaten too much? You know, it is possible to do something too quickly, and not get the full

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881199.post-2001714022003-03-17T20:58:00.000-05:002003-04-21T07:24:26.000-05:00

Chicago was a good conference all the way around. Very good sessions, a great group of people, and great food. After all, it is Chicago, one of the top couple of food cities in the U S of A. Good corn-fed beef and ribs, mmm mmm mmm. I manage to get myself to the Windy City for a conference (or two, if I can really pull a coup with the travel office at work) every year, and one of the highlights

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17931657785049108565noreply@blogger.com0