Well, since it has been over a year since I told you about finding a good writer’s group, I thought I should provide an update. We are still going strong even though membership has changed a little. We meet weekly and on average review 10,000 to 12,000 words, typically submitted by three or four members. The amazing part is that we rarely have a week where submissions are less than 7,000 words. That means everyone is putting words on paper with regularity. Some are more prolific than others, but all members receive critiques of their work. The members all have varied backgrounds and interests so our discussions tend to be lively and, in most cases, helpful to the writer in question.

It took several months of submissions, but my entire novel, has been reviewed by the group. As you would expect, holes in plot and character were identified and potential fixes offered. Some of which I may actually use. I was encouraged to hear that the group felt that the story worked, as a whole. I guess I won’t have to scrap it and start over. Whoo hoo! The revision process has begun and will escalate through the winter months to include another full review of my rewrites.

To break up the tedium of revision, I wrote a couple short stories. While they both have supernatural/fantasy components, they are a departure from my other WIPs. Both stories came to me as spur of the moment thoughts. One while I was sitting at a bar having lunch and the other while feeding my cats. And, when I sat down to write them, they flowed out very quickly. They kind of wrote themselves. I have been debating as to whether I should post them here on my blog or try to submit them for a contest or potential anthology. Both still require polishing, so I have a little time to decide.

The holidays have been quite busy so, cleaning up my Site and visiting yours have been on the back burner. However, the fire is on and I’m getting warmed up to make comments on the last twelve months of your posts. Okay, I may not go back that far, but I will be checking to see what you all have been up to.

Speaking of the holidays, I wish you and your families a happy and healthy Yuletide season. Stay safe and keep writing.