It’s July 8, my birthday. I am 35. A Google search revealed that 35 is considered strong in numerology, due to being a multiple of 7.

Aside from that? It feels like 35 is a milestone, but I keep looking backward instead of forward. I’ve written about graduating from college ten years ago, as this year’s generation surges into the adult world. Fifteen years ago, I was in the middle of college, switching majors. The thought of revising twenty years ago doesn’t sound pleasant.

What did I accomplish since that time? How did the past year ago? And what would it take to feel like this upcoming year will be productive?

More Short Fiction and Opinions in the World of 35

Thanks to some kind editors, I’ve published short stories in print and online. Adventitious accepted micro-fiction that will come out next month, and Cosmic Horror Monthly accepted a homage to Shirley Jackson. If There’s Anyone Left accepted some microfiction where I talk about kaiju that lay eggs in others’ nests.

I started writing a column for Interstellar Flight Press, talking about the speculative fiction industry’s ups and downs. Many ups and downs have occurred, to the point that when the year started, I considered putting it into song form.

Outside of writing? I made some career decisions with grad school applications. The thought of going back to school has daunted me for years, but the world sent some signs about where to go. One acceptance letter came; I’m inquiring about the next concrete steps involving enrollment and scholarships.

Putting Out Fires

The past few years have involved putting out fires. Some happen because an errand or problem slip through the cracks. Others occur because individuals with egos think they know best and don’t listen to the ones warning them. Then I have to be the responsible one and grab the fire extinguisher. You’ll be hearing about one of those disasters in an IFP column.

One thing that they should teach about fires is know how to use an extinguisher. Using water to put out a fire is a bad idea. Does anyone know, however, how to press the nozzle? Or how to release it?

I’d like to not be on firefighter duty. If the world could give us a rainstorm that replenishes, rather than adding more weight, I would appreciate that.

Hopes for This Year

I’d like to be able to make a cool outfit for San Diego Comic Con, as well as for WorldCon. Those are my little goals this month. For the fall? To meet different anthology and column deadlines and catch up on review copies.

It’d be nice to build my writing career even more, and to create a healthy routine. I’m in a point where I feel I can talk confidently about speculative fiction, and I do my best to be nice to people in and out of the field. The snakes and ladders aspect of writing, not helped by generative AI, would be nice to shed. I’d rather climb and avoid the falls.

Some newcomers could use some guidance; I want to give them a fair chance in writing. Realizing that these debuting writers don’t have a guide the way my generation did with Stephen King’s On writing is eye-opening.

Most importantly? I want solid ground that doesn’t get set alight every few minutes. If I’m not on that terrain now? Finding it this year would be great. You can only build a foundation if you have solid soil, ideally without underground water.

I’m 35. And I hope my goals this year are feasible.

 

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