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I don’t usually do this in my writing journal. I usually save opinions, book reviews, information on costuming (my other muse), angsting, and so forth for my friend’s locked live journal. People are welcome to go there by knocking, and I usually friend them back.

However, recently, I’ve finished Terry Pratchett’s A Hat Full of Sky. Innocently disguised as a children’s book, the philosophy’s underscoring the tome are exactly what I needed to hear at a time when my new supervisory position has swallowed my writing time whole, and has knotted my soul up with spiritual discontinuations (today’s new vocabulary, bought to you by physical therapy). It validates what I’ve been doing in my life in trying to reform the English Language Acquisition program at work (people are the soul and center of being a witch, and of being a teacher). It also makes me okay with the magic (writing) not working like it should at the moment because of this. (It isn’t what should be. It is.)

Much as I credit Bruce Campbell earlier this summer for reinforcing my maverick perspective on fame, I credit Terry Pratchett for sending me what I need right now. I know the universe has a role in lining you up with what you need too, but Pratchett put it out there for me, so I must be grateful.

Fall starts next week, according to my contract, and students return one week after that. I hope and wait, sometimes patiently, sometimes not, for a more balanced life, and I hope to return to productivity, rather than drops in a bucket, sometime in there. Like the Iowa ground this summer, the writing muse of me feels parched and cracked and thirsty. I’ve sewn and enjoyed it this summer. I’ve travelled to escape. Mostly I’ve worn the harness of work, and it’s cut into me hard, and there’s plenty more to be had.

But as a wise friend said today in one of his musings about his life, it’s good to live your life the way you want. I’ve taken back somethings. I’m no athlete, but I’ve taken back the gym. I’ve taken back my beauty, regardless of my weight. Now, I want to take back my mind, and give them back their stress.

Thank you, all of you who have known my work from before, in its limited venues and runs, thank you for waiting for me. I appreciate it, and your interest. Without an audience, there is a reason to tell the story, but I like to share. A life worth living is, after all, one with people in the soul and center of it.

Catherine

Spent a little time last night writing up character descriptions and the first page of Dead Girl Adventures, which is something that came to me after Coley’s suicide a couple of weeks ago. I’m hoping that Cat can turn it into something small pressy or graphic novelly.

We’ll see.

This is more episodic, and doesn’t mean I won’t be working on the novels. I just expect this to pop in every now and again.

Catherine

Yup. Thursday’s looking good. Maybe even as early as Wednesday.

Catherine

A good friend has managed to pull off the supreme act of writing marketing. She has procurred for herself, after much angst, an agent. I am pleased.

I can see the light at the end of the summer tunnel. Sometimes I wonder what possessed me to take on a new supervisory position at work. Then I know the truth, and it sets me free. Most writers don’t get to go to Japan every other year. Most writers live on ramen. My teaching career is fulfilling in ways my writing career can not be. Vice versa is also true, but it’s too much for me to expect to carry every burden successfully. I put the writing one down for a bit. I’ll write some curriculum, get some fall classes going, and pick it back up.

You know, I am patient. I am a patient person. All things will come in their time.

Today I believe that. Tomorrow? 🙂

Getting things set up for my reading at The Witching Hour today. In the realms of writing, all but dead right now…curse the new job and all.

I am reading. So, I’m getting the soil ready. Right now, though, it’s all about sewing and working.

So, what am I reading? A YA book by Suzy McKee Charnas about faeries. Making me think about Gossamer.

Some day I’ll just get tired of not writing and write. Like I did today at the office with applications. I decided to call all of my prospects, out of the blue.

Well. Here’s hoping for a more active fall in this regard.

Catherine

Just spent a couple of hours talking to a writing class about writing. It was interesting, but strange.

Considering that it was a Fiction Lit class and not a writing class, it was odd. The teacher was a little odd too. My fellow writer, Hope and I, left the class, squinting at each other, saying, “That was weird.”

I felt sorriest for the students. They were captive and bored. I hope it’s not like that every day for them. Yes, I was charming, and tried to entertain them, and yes, that worked. It wasn’t enough. Anyway, they received six pages of Gossamer and Viridian as a bonus, if they want to read it.

Well. Let’s hope the next time we do that, it’s a little different.

Catherine

Substance of Shadows will be read at The Witching Hour. For 25 minutes.

Yeah, baby.

Catherine

I’ve scheduled time to write this week. Actually scheduled it, and so it goes.

I’ve also recently joined an organization for women writers called Broad Universe, which looks like another way to talk about writing, and seems a good resource for learning the trade. I’m sort of pumped about it.

I hope to have an actual content update this week. That would be a first for a while.

Catherine

Well, the charity auction is over, as are my writing obligations to it. Wiscon was a revitalizing experience. I’m really ready to begin writing again, and I hope to get to that very soon.

I understand now that play is a very important part of my writing process. 🙂

Catherine

Breakfast is done and off to its owner.

Now, to get something around for Wiscon!

Catherine