Updates for a new month

October chills. Summer is definitely over, and I chose daily between wearing my leather jacket or my fur (fake of course) edged coat. I do like the coat but it feels excessive sometimes (especially when the sun does decide to show itself). I keep waking up at around 7am on a daily basis, which I think I should try and listen to my body about – by that I mean when I wake up, get up, rather than lolling and feeling sleepy. That I think is doing me no good.

Anyway… what have I been up to?

Writing wise: Well, today I submitted another piece, which I had almost given up hope of doing, until I realised how much of it was completed and it only required a bit of thought and word pruning to make into something acceptable, so that has made me feel better. I had submitted a piece in mid-September that I had been wanting to write in the way I wanted to write it for a long time, a story I really wanted to tell. I fear it may not quite be what the anthology is after, but we’ll see. At least I have the piece in a longer form and can potentially build on it if it is rejected. Still, I think I will by the end of the year have stuck to my resolution in terms of submissions, which will be something – yes, am thinking of going back to that plan, but in a different form.

The past two weeks though have been… frustrating on the writing side. Focus has not been what it could be, and I just couldn’t seem to find a project after that was done. My head would bounce enthusiastically from one idea for a good day or so (not writing mind, as it was often at work or in bed before sleeping or waking), but then life would distract me, and I’d be back at another one! I suppose, luckily enough, there have been only about four which have been playing back consistently, so that’s reassuring – that my brain thinks it should be one of these ones, rather than a choice of 50 million or so. But I got an email today from someone which was related to one of the ideas I’ve had, and I’m going to take as a sign (in so far as a heathen like me can) that I should be working on that one. I can see it being a decent sized novella. But to get into it first!

Worrying a little about the marketing side of this writing life. Mostly because I feel a bit clueless about the whole thing. I definitely need to start sending out some emails to figure this out. I’ve had some very good reactions to Body & Bow, but wonder if it’s reaching the right people. Something to think about.

Outside of writing, the day-job has been incredibly busy, but hopefully will be somewhat less so over October (or at least at levels where I can take a couple of breaths during the day). I visited and caught up with friends in Brighton and Rochester, which was great. Dancing has started up again, which will keep me busy for the week nights while term is on.

Have realised I’ve now adapted to thinking about my year like an academic one, particularly the Cambridge system. Michaelmas Term starts in October

Oh, and I turned 29. Had a really lovely party which made me feel incredibly lucky to know the people I do here.

And I realised this meant I really needed to start acting like a proper adult. Which… isn’t easy, and as luck (haha) would have it, have had a few occurrences of late to try and test me. Fine, universe, go ahead.

Mirrored from jacquelinebrocker.esquinx.net.