Modblog

I’m no longer a wiki virgin. My first post to survive the process unedited describes the Epoch sf anthology, published in 1975. Now that I understand how the process works, there’ll likely be more articles. I won’t write about them all, I promise;)

I’m hoping to hear some good news about a job, having applied for many more this week, and having had two interviews, which brings my grand total to eight (out of just under 800 applications). There are more jobs advertised the last month or so, and many of the employers have actually written back, which is a positive sign. I appreciate good manners even if they’re not offering employment.

Lots of scammers out there, though. I keep getting come-ons from an outfit called Career Network, who want me to participate in some kind of conference call (on my dime) while watching some webathon. Feel free to Google them-they’re notorious. I don’t believe there are legitimate work-at-home jobs anymore. Most of them seem to be attempts at get money and info…those that at first appear to have legitimacy, like some of the writing/translating sites, have so much chaff that one can’t find the wheat. The “employers”  seem to want unrealistic production for peanuts, and are largely from non-English-speaking countries.

During my copious spare time, I’ve been editing some of my older novels, trying to get them in shape for shopping. I’m a little disappointed in most of them-not severely, mind you, but a little. Too much topicality, which makes for hard edits. Last year’s NaNonovel Milk, though, that’s coming along nicely. I may actually do a rare (for me) second draft, after finishing the first draft of Fallen Earring, which will appear here as a blognovel.

This year’s NaNonovel Carcosa has hit a wall at @375k. I don’t know which of the thousands of dangling plot-threads to pick up at this point, since most of the thing will have to be excised…my inner editor has kicked in, and the project has ground to a halt, for now. Might end up cannibalized, I dunno yet. Quite an experiment though-a long, virtually actionless novel with an unreliable sessile narrator, in an environment which approaches absolute zero and absolute darkness. Can’t really say it’s been FUN to write, but it’s been an experience I wouldn’t trade.

Everything hinges on the job front. If I find work, keep a roof over all of our heads, etc., then everything else falls into place. I have the writing bug and can crank stuff out, but the stress level right now is stultifying. I feel creative enough, but that energy is necessarily pointed in a direction other than writing. Drained some of it for the RPM Challenge, which I have just about wrapped up. I just need to do a few vocal tracks, write one set of lyrics, and I’m done. If I don’t do those, I have more than enough material to do the album as an instrumental.

Hoping for good news. Everything is crossed, and it’s starting to feel uncomfortable.