Just a quick check-in

Yay! I'm so excited I can hardly sit still. All because I'm going to have proper Internet again real soon. 

Think I'm being stupid for being so ridiculously happy? Try not having Internet for a month. It's sorta nice in week one. It's really nice in week two. In week three, there's a sense that you're cut off. In week four, it feels like you're going to die from withdrawals. 

Fortunately for me, the funny season is about to come to an end, which means that I'll have Internet by the end of next week at the latest. That's probably the soonest I'm going to get it too, since I now live on a farm that's more than a little remote, so ISP is collecting jobs so that they don't have to drive out for one unless they absolutely have to. 

Still, it means I'll be back to blogging soon. And visiting you all. I really can't wait to catch up with all of you. Those visits are more than a little overdue. 

In the meantime, I thought I'd let you know about how my goals for January are coming along. 

By yesterday, I've finished rewriting the Western/Romance, and finished drafting all of the books I'd been working on last year. I've also read two books. So I can safely say that progress is being made. 

Right now, though, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have that short story for the Untethered Realms Anthology to write, but about a quarter of the way in, it's still not moving past the concept stage. As in, I have an awesome character, but the story just ain't happening. 

Which sucks. I really really want to have a story to send in, but my goals puts a wrinkle in it. Because let's face it, if I want to finish at least half of the goals outlined, I can't waste time on stories that just won't come. It's happened to two of my drafts from last year. The concept is awesome, but the story isn't there. 

What's the point on trying to force it out when I could be writing something that's got all the aspects in place already? Or rewriting. Or editing. Or even starting a new concept and seeing if I can form a story from it already? Because that's the thing. I never know unless I try it first. 

If I put something aside for now, it gives that story months, years even to incubate. Yes, I will write every single one of them, for as long as I see the merit. 

The thing is, this short story is messing with me now. It has a deadline which isn't my own. That means I either find a way to write it this week, or I don't publish in the anthology this year. See the big thing is that my brain isn't wired for short stories, but I'm proud of the few I have written in the past few years. I want to be proud of the work I create. 

All of the work I create. So I'm not just going to put a story together that's below my standards. It's either there, or it's not. And if it's not by Sunday, I'm moving on. That is my goal for now. (If it's not a goal, I might end up clinging to the story when it's really just wasting my time.) 

Everything else going on in my life is on hold pending either the return of Internet or the end of the holiday or both. I do feel like I have a lot to say this year, though, which bodes well for my blogging. Soon. 

How are you doing?