An update on my works in progress.
TMWSE—Well, finally knocked this one off. It was about 5,000 words two weeks ago. Now, it’s 7,500 words and the first draft is done. This makes it a perfect length for submittal to magazine markets. But I think it could be trimmed down a bit. You know, hit the gym and shed some pounds so that it’s fighting fit. So, this weekend, I’m going to edit this one and get it on its way to a 
finished 2nd draft.
I’m especially happy with the richness of the protagonist in this piece. He’s my favorite protagonist since Yusuf in The Ghul of Yazd and has some characteristics in common with him—most clearly his stubbornness and intellect. But otherwise, he’s quite different.
And, as always, it’s a big thrill to get to to the end of a new manuscript and type the words:
###
THE END
Breakpoint—Three rejections for this short story so far and it’s still with the same magazine. No word from them yet.
AFTA—This manuscript (a comedy-horror novella) is still with several publishing houses and I’m waiting to hear back from them.
That’s all for now. I’m off to relax for a bit and then hit the writing/editing on Sunday.
,Darius
Inside the Writer's Mind 