I have broken one of my most important rules: To blog every week. In fact, I haven’t even posted a blog post in August and it is a third of the way through now. The reason for this is simple: I’m overwhelmed.
August marks a lot of positive milestones for me. It marks one year of this blog. I’ve posted 57 blog posts. So I suppose I averaged out to one a week. But I’ll work to keep this updated. I have a lot of news to share in the coming weeks and months. Lately there has been a lot going on in my life and I have had to give my attention in a lot of directions.
Another milestone for me is that August marks one year since I was first published. My short story “Death Watch” in Liquid Imagination Online and “Dream Job” in Cygnus Journal of Speculative Fiction were released this time last year. I find it hard to believe it has been a year already. I’ve been focusing so much on my novel length projects, that I have only written two short stories in this year. One, “Miles from the Future” is slated to be published on Infective Ink this month. Of course, I’ll have a link up as soon as it goes live. My other story has been with one publication for a while, so I can only hope I get good news soon.
The lack of short stories is not a reflection that I’ve given up on short works. The ideas I have right now are just turning out to be novel length. When a short story idea hits me again, rest assured I will be back at it. But frankly the world of my soon to be released novel Dissolution of Peace and my current novel in progress have consumed me.
On the topic of Dissolution of Peace, I got my editor mark ups. That alone has been very overwhelming. So much so that I haven’t started any corrections yet. I don’t know where to start, and frankly it was a bit of a “I don’t think I am cut out for this” moment. It has only been a few days since I got them. And I have every intention of breaking it down to small chunks. I think I will start with the simplest corrections. The grammar, punctuation, and other errors.. I will then tackle the more demanding issues. I’ll get it done, and hopefully in time for a September release. But, the official release date will be announced when I share the cover art with all of you.
The first issue of Plasma Frequency has gone up. You can get your copy here. Of course you would think that would be less overwhelming, but there is still Issue 2 and Issue 3 in the works. Issue 2 is about ready to go to layout and will be out October 5th. Issue 3 is still in the early readings and we have not yet accepted any stories. I really love publishing great stories for everyone to read. I love sending the acceptance letters, seeing the new art work, and getting great books to read for reviews. But it is an overwhelming task to publish a bimonthly magazine. And the real issue is that I have been doing most all of it myself. There are plans to look for people to assist me with this publication. Those details will be put up on our website and Twitter. The other big task is finding advertisers. I need advertisers to pay my artists and writers. Only getting advertisers is a full time job itself. And the task is very overwhelming.
All that being said, have no worry. Plasma Frequency will push forward and I have faith that it will become easier with time. Once a system is in place, things will run smooth. But like any business, starting up is always the hardest and most overwhelming part. The support from the writers and the readers is excellent and I can’t thank everyone who submits to us enough.
My work and personal life has been no different. My job is a a dynamic one, and it can go from absolute boredom to “crazy-nuts” is a matter of minutes. But, I need the day job. My wife is still struggling to find any work. The people that are hiring don’t wish to hire her. They seem to feel she is over qualified to work in retail or fast food. Over qualified is something I’ve never understood. But as it stands, I am still working to to just barely cover rent. It is very overwhelming to try to balance a budget with so little left over after rent. I’m forced to pick and choose which bills I pay each month. That is a tough way to live.
I’ll admit my life holds many blessings. I know there are many who share my financial woes, or are even in a worse spot than I am. But I am still overwhelmed by it and it keeps me very stressed out. My health (and my weight) have been effected by the stress. But I push forward because I have to for myself and my family.
Of course, since I didn’t have enough going on already, I agreed to coach my middle son’s soccer team. I don’t regret that choice. For the most part it has been a great escape from some of the other stress factors. But, I already serve on the Soccer League’s Board of Directors, and it is one more thing on the pile of stuff to do. But, these kids are great and they all have a passion to learn the game and have fun with it. They are a source of motivation and stress relief in my packed tight life. We start our games on Saturday, and that promises to be even more fun.
So overall, I have a lot going on. It is overwhelming and I find it hard at times. Hopefully I can get some time back for myself. Time will only tell.