So the semester is in full swing and we are almost two weeks into classes. This means that I'm scrambling to keep up with what my students turn in and get my kids to their various activities. Writing has started to feel like a hobby again, especially when I learned --via email newsletter--that a manuscript I sent to a contest at Tupelo Press not only didn't win, but didn't even make the final round. I've also collected a handful of rejections in the past week. Though one was a personal response that said nice things about my story, I've been a little disheartened.

But I going to try to keep my head up. It occurred to me that maybe I can't write everyday, but I can perhaps write three days a week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have a 6:30 class. To get a quiet time in and write, I'd have to get up 3 a.m. Just to get the quiet time, I have to be out of bed by 4:15,  and that is pushing it. So I figure I'll try getting up at the same time each day. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, my office hours don't start until 8. So on those days, I'll get up at the same as the others and get in a little writing.

Yesterday, I tried this for the first time. I was frustrated because I was back on the Eddie Pacer/dog story, hadn't looked at it in a while and wasn't sure what to do. But I managed to crank out about 170 words of not complete crap, so I felt pretty good.

Okay, it isn't much, but I figure I'll take what I can get and try to look forward, even if the walk is slow.

Peace to all.