I've been remiss (how many blog updates start with some variation of this sentence?). Haven't blogged in a long time. I think in some way it's because I was waiting for something important or insightful or funny to say. But that's stupid. Those sorts of thoughts don't come to me often enough. Now, I'll blog more about the everyday. It'll often be more mundane, but I'll try to make it as interesting as possible (when it's possible).

So, much more frequent updates from here on out. I'm hammering on the latest novel (about 15,000 words in, and a long way to go). I've got Internet Kill Switch entered in three different contests; I'm hoping that this will get more people to actually read it — I'm hopeful that if they do that, they'll like it. As I've said before, discovery is the key, if you’re not a "name". I should hear about the first round of cuts from the Amazon contest within a week. It has three rounds, so if I make the first cut, I'll know about the second about a month after that. Fingers crossed. I am at the place, however, where I'm not using these contest to validate whether I have any writing talent or not. I write because I love it, and I won't stop writing if I don't get the positive feedback that every writer would love to have.

I'm also pleased to see that "First Day of School," my short story involving characters from the novel, continues to get downloaded from Smashwords (a distribution site). It's free, and a quick read, if you're looking to kill an hour.

*Still* waiting for spring to arrive here in Carroll County. Today it probably won't even hit freezing; yesterday it was mid-60s. This winter is holding on as best it can. It's had a great run (if you like cold), and just…can't…give…up. Maybe snow Sunday or Monday. Urgh.