Brass Monkey Weather...Over?

As my father used to say, the last week or so has been real "brass monkey weather" but it looks as if the worst is over for now.  

After several days of missing her, the kids at my childrens' school were overjoyed that Willow accompanied us today.  Most of last week we drove to school - the windchill was just too much for a couple of young children (and to be honest, too much for the guy typing this post).  The dog seemed pretty happy to be the recepient of all that attention, too.

Root of Evil is coming along nicely.  I have written some of the most gruesome discriptive passages I've ever seen, but that's as it should be.  I have also learned a great deal about dentistry in general and learning new things is always a blast.  I hope to finish Root of Evil today or tomorrow.

Back at it...

The Big Chill

It is cold outside - the coldest it's been this year (granted, the year is only 14 days old).  The little gadget in the corner of my screen tells me it's -13 Celsius in Guelph but having just walked the dog I just know it's colder - windchill and all that, I'm sure.

I have fired off my application for the MFA program and now I wait to see how I'm spending my days come September.  Thanks to those who vouched for me.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Root of Evil is open on the other screen just waiting to be worked on but Patriot keeps catching my eye and I find myself reviewing select parts of it to scope out places for improvement.  I thought the original manuscript was pretty damn good but the perspective I've gained from letting it sit for a while has really shown me how much better it can be.  

I also need to pass along my secret, guilt pleasure.  I love Stephen King - not everything - he's written some real dogs, but I am always impressed by the storytelling, if not always the story.  He has written an excellent book, On Writing, which I recommend to anyone.  For Christmas I received his latest soft cover, Duma Key and I find it engaging.  Duma Key has been eating up my writing time but no more - I'll finish it tonight!

Must get back to work...

 

I'm going to get back to Root of Evil and see if I can put it to bed.

A whole new year

The holidays were busy and filled with delight but it's nice to settle back into routine.

Walked the kids to school today then came home and got right down to business.  Business today was completing my application for the MFA I intend to begin in the autumn.  I am still assembling the "package" - transcripts, letters of reference and a portfolio sampling some of my work but the application itself is done.

While putting together "the package" I rewrote a chapter in my novella Patriot.  I needed to clean it up and flesh it out and I am very pleased with the finished result - so pleased, in fact, that rewriting Patriot to novel length has moved up the priority list.  Root of Evil still needs to be finished and The Witch has been waiting too long and Gerry has barely stumbled out of the gate but Patriot is beckoning.

I guess I have a lot to do...