The Fire Swamp Middle of the Fiction Project

It has happened. I have officially hit the middle of my journey to finishing this big work of fiction (big for me since I've not written a full-length manuscript before), and I have as much to go as I have done. This is the official quagmire section of the project, where I must be careful and not lose my way. I also must not give up, although R.U.S.S. fill the forest, including those called "Never Going To Finish," "Too Tired" and especially "Is This Any Good?"

See, up to this point, I could have abandoned the project, telling myself that I just couldn't write that many words, or the story was too thin or perhaps that I was so busy with the non-fiction writing that it got put on the back burner to be stirred another time. But now, no, those options are no longer viable. Honestly, I have to finish this, have to see it through, and most days, I enjoy settling into the world that is taking shape. But the road ahead is excruciating, not for the writing, but for how long is left to go.

It feels like that part of the drive to Key Largo when we get on the Florida Turnpike below Daytona, clicking off toll booth after toll booth and still never getting all the way through Miami to US1 and the first glimpse of blue water. But we do, we do get through it, and usually in enough time to see the sunset over that blue water from the deck at Snook's.

So I trudge on every day, clocking in the word count and advancing the story. And mixing examples from The Princess Bride and my drives through Florida. Hey, it all makes sense to me.

Sad to see them go

As one who writes for magazines, I love reading them, looking at the layouts and, often, checking who is on the masthead. One of my recent favorites, Domino, published their last issue this month. I am sad.

I was definitely Domino's target, a woman (youngish) who is interested in good design in all aspects of life (Those of you that remember my bedazzled shirt, pipe down back there! Being interested is different than actually following through). The travel sections were always cool, I loved the room makeovers, and generally, I loved the writing style. But no more to my mailbox ...

We've been hearing a lot of the phrase "in these times" lately, but publications in general have always come and gone. Still, with the death of so many newspapers as well as the slicks, well, tis trying times indeed. Just wanted to mark the passing of another worthwhile publication.

Publishing update

The article on the Dutcher's work with wolves has published. Check out the wonderful layout and photos in SEWE's special section, published by The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C. Seems like the annual wildlife celebration was a great success again this year, and the Food + Wine Festival is right on its heels, starting in a couple of days.

Unfortunately, my little desk was devoid of tickets to either, but assignments are another matter, so I am happy sitting at my desk, with a spring snow melting in the front yard and another adventure around the bend. For a dose of culture in the home turf of the Triad, I covered a contemporary art exhibit at Wake Forest for the Greensboro News and Record's Go Triad. I feel strongly about the need for art no matter the economy, and it was great to find a gallerist who could speak on the subject so personally. I hope to write more about art for the publication in the near future, so stay tuned . . .