Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

No, not as dark and dreary as Macbeth’s take on life, shadow, and death. This un-blog post has bright spots and goodness to it. Oh yes indeed!

Why?

Because I finished the First Draft (and second pass-through) of The New Project! It is such a satisfying feeling to type “The End” to any story. The sense of accomplishment is very fulfilling. Why, yes, I *can* actually write something. Oh, and finish it, too. ‘Cause I got her num-bah. How ’bout them apples?

Of course, completing the story begs the questions:

Do I query? Self-publish? Cry into my pillow lamenting the fact that both my beloved Patriots (will probably) and Red Sox (very much do) stink?

Why yes, yes I do (to that last one).

At least I’ll have hockey (Bruins, pleasedontsuckpleasedontsuckpleasedontsuckpleasedontsuck!).

As of today’s date, I have an editor. Although I won’t reveal her name (we’re hashing out final details), suffice it to say I’ve been following this person’s fabulous work for a long time. Not only is she an incredibly talented author in her own write…err…right, but she’s an incredible supporter of indie authors and other poor schlubs like me.

I also have an agreement with an illustrator to put together a number of concept art panels, and perhaps the cover design, too. Whether I use the panels as part of the interior matter, or as part of any future marketing, I’m excited to share the art with you down the road. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get him to do some Empire City stuff. Wouldn’t that be cool? Oh yes, I think that would be quite cool.

Naturally, all of these things are for another day. As the late, great Tom Petty once sang, the waiting IS the hardest part.

So what will I do now? Well, I think I’m going to pick up THE DEVIL’S SHARE again and see what I can do with that raving bag of cats. It’s a story that needs to be told. I want to tell it. But it’s a hard one. It is pushing me to develop and grow as a writer (a good thing!), but it is also demanding a lot from me. Slowly but surely (never call me that!), it’ll get done. Will I become distracted by something new? Maybe. I might write a sequel to The New Project. Or it might be a stand-alone. Leaving that one open, for now.

I haven’t done many interviews or podcasts since I started this writing journey. Probably because I don’t actively reach out to any bloggers or podcasters. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right? And I’m not touching TikTok. Sorry, just not my thing. To be honest, I’m not sure if that’ll change going forward. Pretty much depends on what direction I go with The New Project. But definitely no TikTok.

(Of course, if you’re a blogger or podcaster you’re reading this, and you need an interviewee, I’ll be your huckleberry)

Next weekend marks the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It’s a time of celebration, of new beginnings, and contemplative moments to remember and share with family and friends.

This year was a challenging one. My father passed in April. My work-life-balance became skewed for a variety of reasons (not the least of which was how busy my job was from January through, well, now actually). Some aggravating (but necessary) house repairs. My eldest teenager who is finding his way while we all learn how to communicate better with one another. Imposter syndrome, because let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how many books you have under your belt, you’ll always fall down the rabbit hole of “Am I good enough?” at least once a week (if not more).

But I’m lucky. A kind word here. A bit of support there. Whether you’ve read my work, or know me in real life (or both!), I am incredibly fortunate to have each and every one of you in my life.

My sincerest thanks to all of you.

I still can’t promise regular un-blog posts. I wish I could. I’m just not that prolific when it comes to this. But I can promise some exciting future developments once tomorrow, and tomorrow, and (I love yah!) tomorrow finally arrives.

Be kind, my humans.