the summer is laid out before me like a blanket

Sometimes you need a break from writing.

April (and March) have been stressful months for me in regards to College. I had a lot of creative and academic work to tackle, and a series of deadlines that wore me out. This past week I couldn’t face the computer for anything except light tasks.

I also had a number of other distractions, one of which was taking care of visitors to my house. Yes, the rumours are true, I do have a life outside of this blog (and most of it is not chronicled here either).

I’ve had a number of disappointments lately on the writing front. Rejection, after rejection, after rejection. One was particularly crushing because I came so close. And no matter how well the rejection is worded (including compliments on my writing), it’s painful to deflate raised hopes. Sometimes the “close, but no cigar” response is more frustrating than anything else. It means that I’m on the right (write?) track, but there’s a lot of road in front of me.

I’m improving, but my work isn’t good enough – yet.

On a positive note, I’ve booked my flight to Glasgow for Interaction, the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention that’s on from 4-8 of August. I changed hotel also, as I’m going to be in Scotland for a longer period, and I wanted a (somewhat) cheaper venue. This will be my first visit to Albion, and I’m looking forward to the trip. It’s a country I’ve always wanted to visit. There should be plenty of people at the convention that I know, and I should have a good time.

In late August I will be in London for Frightfest, the annual horror/sf film festival. The deadline for my completed screenplay is the day after I plan to return, so I will have to be vigilant with my writing to make sure I have it done on time. If I’m smart, I’ll have it completed before I go to England.

Ahead of that is the Galway Film Fleadh in early July, just before the two-week Arts Festival. Galway is a busy city during the summer, with plenty to do. It’s not ideal when you want to keep the head down and write, so I’ll have to be strong.