First Day Back in School

And so begins my first day back in class. Tonight is American Literature: 1920-Present. We’ll be starting off with Hemmingway. I’m both nervous and excited, a state which I seem to perpetually be in lately. My veins feel full of lightning. There are some intimidating names on this reading list and one heck of a project on the syllabus. Of my academic career this semester, this class will likely pose the biggest obstacle to my goal of 12 titles in 2015.

It’s a lot of reading and a lot of writing, none of which can be put to use towards my work, which is the greatest benefit of my Creative Writing class. I am beyond thrilled to start that on Monday. We won’t be working in a classroom but at the Wynne Home Art Center. Talk about scenic. The place is steeped with so much creativity you can practically feel it oozing from the walls.

I’m hoping to expand the critique circles I started last semester to 2 evenings a week instead of just one, as much to keep me on target and working as to make the sessions available to a wider audience. The biggest complaint last semester was schedule conflicts with classes. I’m hoping that by putting the circles back to back on a Tuesday-Wednesday schedule that I’ll be able to counter that and draw in more writers. There’s a surprising amount on campus just waiting to be discovered and I’ve been privileged to read some pretty amazing stuff.

And none of this takes into account my assistantship. I’m going to be one busy guy this semester. But you know what? I think it’s going to be so worth it.

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Two Semesters Down and Goals Set

Feeling really accomplished right about now. I'm setting goals and can actually see the fruits of my labor as I work toward them. I'm 21 hours into my MFA, on the verge of publishing my first novella, and have a game plan for publishing much more over 2015. Still have a lot of work to do, though I suspect that's going to be the case no matter how much I actually accomplish over this semester. Even so, it feels really good to have a game plan in place. It feels as if I'm actually making progress.

Right now, I've got not one, but two novellas about to be published. The first should be out in January and the second in February, with more to come providing everything goes according to plan. I'm incredibly nervous about releasing the full details at this point, just because I don't know what the next semester is going to hold. First round in I made the mistake of taking double a regular workload, but I managed okay. Last semester I took an average load, but dang if my classes didn't make me work.

That, coupled with my tendency to procrastinate and my dislike of writing things into a formula or structure--like say a synopsis or a press release--are the main things holding me back right now. I need to get over it. Once the press release is out, I'll see about sharing it on the blog and making all my big announcements then. See what I mean about procrastinating? I'm so practical about it.

Anyways. Multiple novels and novellas ready for publication. Lots of revision and editing done, and continuing to be done. Game plan set for writing, and therefore business. More news to come in the future. 

Meanwhile, Happy New Year!