It's Coming

The announcement that is...very soon. Within a day or two...or three...well, hopefully sometime this week.

That is all

:c)

Sore

I've been a little 'in dispose' over the last day and a bit. While it's true I don't normally blog on the weekend, this past weekend has made it almost impossible.

I played cricket on Saturday and batted for an extended length of time. My body is now paying the price for what my head thought it could do. A sharp reminder that I'm on the wrong side of forty to be attempting such things.

Still, it's been a while since I've made some decent runs so, although painful, it has been enjoyable.

For anyone interested: I play for ATCO CC and you can follow our exploits over at http://www.atcocc.cjb.net/ (skip past the ad to find the site). To see where the teams are in the greater scheme of things, you can check out the association website.

On the writing side of things - an announcement is imminent...

Feeling Alone

Image by Zaratops - stolen from DeviantART

In my writing that is - I haven't busted with my lovely wife or anything so don't worry about that.

Over the past couple of years, I've been honoured and privileged to gather around me a fairly large group of writers who are now steadfast cyber-friends. When I've hit the writer's block wall - you have been there. You have celebrated my successes and offered consolation at my defeats. Always there has been encouraging words.

Now I'm working on a secret project and haven't been able to to discuss the process with any of you, and I don't feel right about it.

From the very beginning I've written honestly about the writing journey I've been on, more in the hope of dispelling the mysteries and uncovering the pitfalls for those who come after, but with the added benefit of finding like-minded individuals who have empathy for what I'm going through. The whole process has left me feeling warm and fuzzy because of your input into my writing life.

Now some of those friends have presented work for critiquing and comment which I've been unable to provide. Keeping the AHWA market database up to date has been an ever increasingly difficult task as my free time dwindles to almost nothing - I've had to withdraw from this now summer has come and my writing time is seriously squeezed. My reading for HorrorScope has come to a screaming halt. My reading for pleasure is non-existent. My providing interesting writing tips, facts and other things to help new and emerging writers has dried up.

If I could share what I'm doing, allow you all in on the process and, hopefully, allow you to learn what I'm now learning, I wouldn't mind (quite so much) how everything else has ground to a halt (I knew all this would happen when going into this project so I'm fine with it and I know it's only short term). But I'm worried about alienating some of you I have been blessed to call my friend. When the announcement does finally come, as it inevitably must, then this, and other concerns won't disappear, so I'm considering just releasing the proverbial cat from the bag on early parole. Kind of like ripping off the band-aid and allowing any pain to dissipate early - well, that's the theory...

This blog has become very much my writing journal as well as a way to disseminate writing knowledge, tips and other authorial goodness from one who is learning as they go. This post is no different. It is me, thinking while I type, or rather, typing what I'm thinking; allowing it to settle straight in my head before I shoot off at the mouth.

I've put the question to a significant other involved in this secret project and wait to hear what they think before announcing anything further - if anything at all at this time.

There are also very selfish reasons behind me wanting to spill the beans, most of which I can't divulge here without giving too much away. Besides, I'm not very good at keeping secrets like this. I'm the type of guy who thinks that it will all be announced at some point so why not just do it now?

So please bear with me a little longer.

Nothing New To Report

I know you would all like to know what's going on around here but as far as what I'm doing writing-wise, nothing new. I'm still up to my neck in my secret project and quite enjoying it.

The day job is flat out at the moment as my major projects there are all ramping up. Lots of documentation to be created so any time I have during the day is all being sapped by technical writing - which is nowhere near as much fun.

Haven't read (for fun or review) a great deal lately either.

I was given a prompt for a flash piece the other day and began writing on one of those instant ideas we sometimes have. I got through about 200 words, got sidetracked (again) and when I came back to it I'd already lost the spark of inspiration for it. I am firmly set in 'can't say' mode for the time being as I work on 'can't say that either'.

What I will say is that I'm learning a lot. I'm learning about what other writers think, how they write, story structure, what types of ideas work, what types of execution doesn't and lots of other things besides. There, that's a huge clue, but I shall not be confirming or denying any guesses. I promise I'll document the whole thing when I come clean (in about 6-7 weeks - maybe sooner if the need arises...).

Excuse Me While I Talk With My Mouth Full

No Nat...

The blindfold is in place, my hands are now tied and I've taken a great leap into the unknown.

No Nat...

My secret project is full steam ahead but will remain secret for the time being for reasons that will become obvious once it's all revealed. I'm just hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew (you knew I'd work the title of the blog post in somewhere...didn't you?)

I may be a little quiet in the mean time as what spare moments I do have are booked up twice over. This leaves my self-created writing bible on the back burner and edits for IV may start closer to December, but it's all good. Once this project is done, I'll be so revved up to dive back into IV it can only be beneficial!

I'll still be haunting blogs/journals/etc and making the occasional post here, but I think there won't be a huge amount to report. I could tell you what's going on, but then...it wouldn't be so much fun ;c) (In a number of different ways - No Nat...)

Lots Happening

I've got so many fingers in so many pies that you just knew now is when my laptop would start playing up...

So, first things first, I need to fix my laptop and while I'm at it, I'll probably have to fix my sister-in-laws laptop which has been kicking around here for a few weeks waiting to be looked at. I work with computers for a living so I hate having to fix them at home. I guess it's like the mechanic who has a car that always breaks down - we all try to leave work at work.

After that, I have a new secret project in the works. The final details aren't worked out so I'm not saying alot just yet, but it could be the start of a new direction for me, or at least a new string to the writing bow which will be nice - stay tuned.

For anyone interested in my non-writing activities:

Cricket season started yesterday. As well as being involved with the committee, I'm also captain of our B Grade team (getting too old to keep playing A Grade - I'll leave that to the younger lads). I won the toss and batted. We were eventually bowled out for 208. I was happy enough to be part of an 87 run partnership in the middle order which built the foundation for our more than competitive total, but mainly I was stoked with how the boys all batted in partnerships and allowed the score to grow. Then, with 15 overs left to bowl in the day's play, we hit the opposition hard and have them 4/33 at stumps on day one. A couple of quick wickets first up next Saturday and we'll be pushing for a big points in the first game. This is doubly satisfying as nearly half of the players who would be considered automatic picks for the team are unavailable for this game. Due to the excellent performance, it's highly possible those automatic picks will be starting their season in the C Grade.

Time for me to get to work fixing computers (groan). Speak soon.