Since I already talked about what I accomplished writing-wise in my April Wrap-up, I’ll talk about some other things.

Last year, I looked at my collection of writing books and realized I had wasted a lot of money because I hadn’t cracked the spine on some of them. I decided what I needed was company to work through one. I chose Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, formed a yahoo group, and invited my writer friends at Rose’s Colored Glasses. Every week there was a reading assignment and the questions at the end of the chapter. We wrapped up the book in March. Sure some folks dropped by the wayside, but some of us kept reading. Maybe I could have finished the book a heck of a lot faster, but I the point is I actually did finish it!

So, I opened a new challenge in April. I formed a yahoo group, sent out invitations and we’ve begun working through Robert Ray’s and Bret Norris’s The Weekend Novelist. The book describes a methodical way to write a novel one weekend at a time. I have a project set aside for that effort. A novel I’ve been too intimidated to write. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Our online critique group is still going strong. And I love to hear when someone who ran a project through it sells. That happened this week. Would love to mention her name and the book, but maybe she wants to keep her resources a secret.

This next week might not be so super-productive. I have a pre-op appointment on Monday in Little Rock, which messes with the rhythm of my writing day. Have to be able to roll out of bed and start, but I will be up super early to make that appointment. Then on Thursday, I’m having a lump removed. Nothing wierd or dangerous, just something that’s causing my shoulder to hurt. So Monday and Thursday are pretty much hosed. I’ll be looking for sprinting company to keep my butt in the chair all the other days.

This week will also see the release of the print anthology Captive Souls, which includes my story Stone’s Embrace. So be looking for it!