Awful August

My month was one of extremes. Extremely.

My personal life had ups and downs -- one of the down-est being Y-Chromo heading back to college. He called a little while ago. He's there, safe & sound. There was down with X-Chromo, too. The joys of parentood.

The writing? Sometimes I wonder why I continue to bother.

THE WRITING GOALS:

• SARK Month 8 Yes
• BIAW Goal Met
• Critique twice Only once, and that is if you count reading aloud while on Retreat
• 3 (of the 6 I entered) contests announcing finalists This was hideous. At least, 2 of 3 contests from which I've received my scoresheets & judges "comments". I didn't final in any of these, which led me observe to my crit partners that I'm starting to think I'm not as good of a writer as I was several years ago.
• Blog 2ce at least
• A night at the library to see one of my PHriends give a talk on the day in the life of a writer This was one of the good things
• A long weekend writing retreat in a cabin in the wood This was the best thing. Can't wait to go back.
• Order 2009 RWA Whole Conference CD ROM There's no "Early Bird" price this year, so I've put this on hold. I did purchase the Leslie Wainger workshop to which I'd sent a synopsis for editor evaluation. I felt savaged after listening to it.

When You Need It The Most . . .

I have the best friends. Really. Example: The Purple Cactus . Ever since she returned from the RWA National Conference, she's been suggesting that we get together because she had goodies for me from the conference. I'm a sucker for goodies, and I missed my friends desperately. I had a vacation day from the Day Job today, so we made plans to meet for lunch.

Then I had my usual ongoing vehicular issues. TPC drove to my house so she could give me the goodies. Instead of the Mexican place we'd decided on for lunch, we went to one of the taverns in my neighborhood. She'd never been to this establishment before. Once, in a different incarnation, she was to meet me, other PHriends, and former RWA President Joanne Fergusson for a late dinner, but she never could find the place. Today, she had a navigatrix.

She gave me books. I love books, and the RWA National Conference is a fantastic place to score new -- and free -- books. But RWA also holds a literacy signing each year, which raises money for Pro-Literacy Worldwide. TPC went to the signing early and seated herself at the spot of one of my idols. I have an autographed copy of Linda Howard's DEATH ANGEL.

To Molly - Best wishes on your writing career and never, ever give up!

Linda and TPC -- Thanks. I really needed to read that today.

I have the best friends.

Really.