In Print This January...

The wise, thoughtful editorial staff at Necrotic Tissue have purchased my short story, "Dagon and Jill" for publication in issue #13 coming out January 2011. "Dagon and Jill" explores the results of mixing multiculturalism with H.P. Lovecraft. (Think of it as PC Lovecraft.)

In addition, I've been selected as an Editor's Pick, which means I'm paid at the professional rate of 5 cents a word. Unfortunately, its too late to "plump up" the story to take advantage of this unexpected bounty.

Thanks to all who've stopped by and read "Death Honk." It's featured front and center on the Journal of Microliterature through Sat. Aug. 21. Now back to all things novel.

Three Beeps for "Death Honk"

"Death Honk" posted at the Journal of Microliterature as the featured story for this week. What would you do for a job? What does Kevin do? Read and know, leave a comment, have some coffee, all in the order you find most pleasing.

Amazing WW II Footage

Sixty-five years ago, Japan surrendered ending World War II. My father was stationed on Okinawa with the Army engineers and the end of hostilities kept him from building airfields during Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of Japan. Allied casualties were projected to be heavy, thus my future writing career was saved by good fortune and the atomic bomb.

Here's remarkable color footage from 1945 Honolulu.
via Ace of Spades

"Death Honk" Tomorrow

Flash fiction piece "Death Honk" debuts on the Journal of Microliterature starting Sunday, Aug. 15 for seven of your standard Earth days. Drop by for a flash read, leave a comment or two, then go about your lives refreshed and secure in the knowledge that you now know a death honk from a casual beep.

738 words into today's 1K. I'm stacking up the chapters, but the pace is wearying. Perhaps a day off on the Sabbath to read what I've written this week and see if it makes any sense. (Even if it doesn't, I'm pressing on.)

Death Honk Week

For seven big days, "Death Honk" will be the featured story at The Journal of Microliterature. What would you do or say to get a job? Find out what one man does beginning Sunday Aug. 15.

Score Again!

The Journal of Microliterature is up and running. My flash fiction piece, "Death Honk," has been accepted and will appear this Sunday, Aug. 15. Stop by and give it a read. Under 1k words, four pages or so, the tale is a time-saver for the busy fiction aficionado.

1K a Day + Pitch

That is my current goal: to write a thousand words a day on the novel (around five pages). Since last week, I've been pretty consistent. Nothing will be harder than finishing the first draft, so that's where I'll be.

Tom Ruegger, Sherri Stoner, Deanna Oliver and I pitched a show yesterday over at Comedy Central. Very pleasant experience, though who knows how it'll play out. (Paul Rugg would've gone along but decided to take paying voice work instead. At lunch afterwards, we cursed him and munched our salads with bitter, jealous expressions.)

Death Honk Away

"Death Honk" wings off to possible literary placement. It's been a fun two-weeks working on it, but now back to the labor-intensive novel.

Dagon and Jill Makes the Short List

My short story "Dagon and Jill" passes the first cut at a fiction magazine. Hopefully, in under five weeks, I'll know if I've placed. This story has been down the aisle before and I believe its finally ready for full-time commitment.

Writing & Running Updates

Who is at Comic Con? Not me. Not this year. Some other year, perhaps. I'm withdrawing a story from a magazine. Not only did they sit on it for 5 months, but their automated replay system promised to investigate and respond in 10 days. It is now 11 days and counting. They must use geologic time. Time to swing for the fence and send that story off to the toughest fantasy/sci-fi market there is; long response time, but pro-pay (5 cents a word!) My 1K story for the Journal of Microliterature has arrived at a first draft motel. I've given it a well-merited rest to allow my subconscious to tidy up various rough spots. But I'm confident any tale called "Death Honk," must have an audience somewhere. No running this week as my knee has been sore since Saturday. Nothing serious, but there is a bit of sensation where, previously, none existed. I'll ice more and try a mile this weekend. Yes, that is what I will do. Then I will eat limes to avoid scurvy.

Write You Are

Friend Bernadette offers a link to 10 Rules For Writers. There should be 11: Don't be afraid to write crap on the first draft. (Currently following that to a T.)

A Different Paul

Other than the jovial Mr. Rugg. My Darling Wife has an essay up on the apostle and his views on women.

Fresh Ideas in Second Place at Every Day Fiction

Thank you all who read and voted for my story on Every Day Fiction. I've vaulted into second place over three other tales, and now lead by 7 votes. Well played, say I!

Invited to Submit a Short Story

Goodly folk at the Journal of Microliterature have invited me to submit a short story under 1k words. This invite comes about via the great feedback "Fresh Ideas" has gotten on Every Day Fiction. If you have not read it yet, do stop by and, should the spirit move you, vote generously. I'm currently in a 4-way tie for #2. Push me over the top, I implore you! (And I rarely 'implore.')

I'm Number Four on Everyday Fiction

A month later, "Fresh Ideas" hangs in at 4th place overall on Everyday Fiction.

Write, Write, Write

Every, every, day.

Paper Wave; Writing/Running Update

A mound of unread books and magazines has drawn me away from the Web along with a desire to reestablish myself as a guy who can focus with single-minded intent on the printed word, as Internet use has gradually eroded my ability to do so. I've officially begun the other two sections of my novel. Rather than a detailed outline, which has killed two other book attempts, this time I'm filling chapters with stream-of-consciousness notes, thoughts, scenes. That way, I'm more open to the sudden, unexpected changes that will arise. I'm quite excited after avoiding the start for months. Halloween remains my deadline for a first draft. Went a'hiking with Paul Rugg the other day. Paul's not afraid of a vertical trail. However, coming down those vertical trails pounded my knee into soreness. Ran two miles and walked one on Thursday with lingering knee tenderness. Iced on Thu. and Fri; did yoga yesterday, then walked two/ran two today over at Griffith Park. Much improved knee and I finished the run relaxed and pain-free. This Chi running style is quite different and will take a long time to master, but it eliminates the jarring heel strike I practiced successfully for 40 years (give or take a few years off for drunkenness or sloth).

Run/Write Report

Another 3 miles yesterday, walking fast for two minutes then running for 1 and repeating as necessary to cover the distance in 36:53 which comes out to 12:17 a mile. Despite the fact that I'm fat as a bean bag sofa, I was pleased to finish minus knee soreness, a state that continues into today. Hopefully, I'll keep up this routine for the next month, 3x a week. Unless work intervenes. Then I'll be forced to give up work. I had an idea for a fast, fun science fiction story that I would write in a week. It's turned into two weeks. Unlike the curt "Fresh Ideas," this one seems to be growing into another 8K-word honker ala "Bane Fish." As I've never written a sci-fi story, I find myself spending a lot of time crafting backstory that won't see the page but ends up informing my story choices. I need to complete a draft before I totally bail out for something easier.

Still Atop Mount Every Day Story

"Fresh Ideas" continues holding the lead after three days, thanks to family, friends and discerning readers who happened by.

Number 1 on Every Day Story

As you can see, I'm atop the Every Day Story heap (at least for a time) thanks to everyone who read and voted on "Fresh Ideas." Sterling work, I say. Keep it up!