Back in the saddle again

One thing I've discovered this week is that the end of August is just about the crappiest time of all to reacquaint yourself with former customers after an 8 month absence. Everyone is, of course, busy with wrapping up summer vacations and getting ready for that great exodus - the back to school phenomena.

Here at the Beynon homestead we too are watching the summer wind down. The missus is on vacation and the kids are eager to start school. The girl, 6 years old, is looking forward to entering grade 2 and the wee lad, 4, can't wait for his first taste of junior Kindergarten. Yesterday we spent some time at African Lion Safari. I know that zoos of any kind are generally frowned upon by PETA and like-minded groups but I don't see how anyone could criticize the work they do at this place. The enclosures are mammoth(hundreds of acres) and they boast some of the most successful breeding programs in the world.

Over the past week I've been looking at building solid writing time into the schedule. Increasingly difficult. Three things on the go right now - Loremaster (kind of on the back burner) - reworking The Platinum Ticket (for Jim Baen's Universe - needs to be submitted before Sept 30) - and finally the short story, Small Town Secrets. I'd hoped to be finished this one by now, but no luck. I'll keep plugging away and have it done soon.