Finished reading: THE INSTITUTE

 Another fun read from Stephen King... this book features some of my favorite aspects of his work: the troubles and triumphs of children. Sure, it's more trouble than triumph... but I always love it when the kids give the bad guy characters' their comeuppance! 

Other King news: I recorded a reading of one of his early stories: "Night Surf." It's already received a lot of views, in just a day and a half. 

In writing news, Abi and I are ready to send our middle grade novel out into the world. It should be arriving in the inboxes of eight different editors, sometime this week! 

Today's Progress: 

-- Wrote synopsis for middle-grade novel   ( 1 / 8  MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS )

-- Posted "Night Surf" audiobook video  ( 2.9 / 65  STEPHEN KING BOOK CLUB )

Cowboy Festival

 Howdy! 

I volunteered at a beer tent at the Cowboy Festival for Nancy Lantis’ non-profit theater (Eclipse Theatre LA). Got to spend time with Nancy, Abi, the Engs, and the Zumstegs (all theater folks). Fun was had by y'all...

In completely different news, here's my latest Stephen King video, a comedic help wanted ad inspired by creepy short story "Graveyard Shift." 

Today's Progress: 

-- Posted "Graveyard Shift" video ( 2.8 out of 65 -- STEPHEN KING BOOK CLUB ) 

My In-Between Day

 

I have an awesome schedule this semester. On online class... and the rest of my courses are on the Moorpark campus, but only on Mondays and Wednesdays. 

 That means my Tuesdays are in-between days. i have the day off... but I often spend much of the day either grading, prepping, or attending meetings. 

Today I went to the campus to attend a one-hour curriculum meeting. This means I spent more time in the car than at the college. But that's okay, because right now I'm listening to Stephen King's 2019 novel: THE INSTITUTE. 

So far, it's a page-turner. Similar in some ways to STRANGER THINGS... but that's fine, since that show borrows heavily from King. 

And speaking of SK, I made another video, but it hasn't gained much traction with the algorithm. Oh well. It's a run-down of all the different types of fan art there are out there, specifically fan art of THE SHINING. 

Now I'm off to read about Hitler's failed career as a painter, duels in 19th Century California, and August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, Act Two. 

Today's Progress: 

-- Completed a new Stephen King Video ( 2.7 out of 65 STEPHEN KING BOOK CLUB)

Today's Project: New Stephen King Video & De-Cluttering

 

Well, today's the first free day I've had in a long time... I've had time off work, of course; spring break was only a few days ago. But I did so much traveling and visiting, they didn't really feel like free days. 

So, today, I finally finished my little video inspired by Stephen king's short story "Jerusalem's Lot." (A prequel to 'salem's Lot). 

This took me a lot longer to finish than I expected... but once I watched the final draft, I was pleased with the work. 

Now, it's 2pm. Cheri is visiting her folks in Palm Springs, so it's just me and the dogs. I think I'll organize my office and look through the various books lying around my office, many of which were purchased from The Open Book over this winter season. 

In addition to de-cluttering, I'm hoping to brainstorm up a new idea for a picture book. I don't want to work on another novel until I find out the fate of my middle grade book. Fingers crossed! 

Today's Progress: 

-- Completed a New Stephen King Video  ( 2.6 / 65  STEPHEN KING BOOK CLUB ) 

A Visit to Texas

 I've been away from the blog for two reasons... a visit to Texas (as my blog title suggests) and a whole lot of essays to grade.

I flew out to San Antonio, and met my Mom (who flew from Washington). We met up at an AirBnb within walking distance from the kids. 

We had a wonderful visit from Monday until Thursday... Lots of time with that granddaughter of mine! As I may have mentioned, the family has wisely decided not to share photos of that adorable baby (at least not online or on social media). But I'll post my Mom, sitting in the BnB living room, as well as the back yard... if only to help me remember the trip. 

Oh, and here's Hawkeye the Dog!

I've been back home for a little while now. Cheri and I celebrated Easter with her folks in Palm Desert. And now my Spring Break is over, and it's back to work at Moorpark. 

I'm giving myself permission to rest today (although I do have a few things I need to read in order to prep for tomorrow's classes). Hopefully by Thursday I'll be recharged and ready to get back into my creative projects! 

Easing Back into Essays

 

Well, I've been enjoying a few weeks of productivity... but that may change for a little while. I have three batches of essays that have arrived in my in-box. So, it might be a little while until I can get back into creative stuff. 

Maybe... we'll see. 

My general rule is to grade 6 essays each day, that way I still have some energy left over for my projects. Speaking of which, BLOOMSQUASH is in my agent's hands. Not sure when it will be sent out to publishers, but hopefully it'll happen before the end of April. 

In other news, guest / family arrived yesterday and today! Yesterday, it was CJ and their friends from college. They are on an epic road trip. 

And, today, Cheri's folks arrived from Washington. They'll be spending the next month in Palm Desert, but first they'll stay with us for a few days. 

Today's Progress:

-- Recording script for "Jerusalem's Lot" ( 2.5 / 65  STEPHEN KING BOOK CLUB ) 

Today's Project: Revising My Middle Grade Novel (Part Three)

 I've surprised myself by finishing this revision early. 

Again, one of the reasons it went so smoothly is basically because of my agent. Abi has provide clear notes -- and for the most part I just followed her suggestions. I did need to add two little additional moments into the beginning and end... but that didn't take long. 

So, I might give it one more skim... at least re-read the beginning and maybe the end, and then I think I'll send it off tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed! It might be months before it's sent into the hands of editors... but hopefully before summer break begins, it will be out in the world, waiting to be discovered by a publisher. 

In other news, last night Cheri and I watched 1984 -- a stage adaptation of George Orwell's novel. Powerful stuff! And one of my favorite parts was that the ushers were these delightfully evil IngSoc kids! 

Today's Progress: 

-- Finished revision of BLOOMSQUASH  ( 1 / 8  NOVELS )

-- Worked on script for "Jerusalem's Lot" video   ( 2.5 / 65 STEPHEN KING BOOK CLUB )