This weekend kind of became one of those dividing lines in what a writer is working on. That happens every time a novel is sent off to the editor, and that’s what I did. Novel number 5 entitled “Which Half David” is now out of my sights. It was a sixteen month journey to get that one done, my longest one ever, and a rather difficult novel to write for several reasons. Well, it’s done and gone. (at least for now)

As a reward, I treated myself to a play writing session yesterday. On Friday, I heard about a play writing contest which finished on Sunday. I heard about it a little late, and the stipulation was to enter a brand new short play never before thought of until this contest came up. So, I finally wrote a play idea I’ve had for a while called “Safe Spaces.” It’s a 10 minute satire on university life in the era of micro-aggressions and safe spaces. I must admit. I think it’s pretty funny. So I had a lot of fun writing that one yesterday, editing it this morning, and sending it off to the contest.

This afternoon, I dabbled in the play I’m writing with four of my students. It’s a type of murder mystery – sort of. We are in the last half of that work. It’s been fun.

So now I have the question. What’s next?

That’s easy, actually. Novel #6.  I started it over Christmas and got about 40,000 words in. It is, perhaps, the most fun I’ve ever had in writing a novel because I’m breaking all of my rules about keeping it real and grounded in real life. I’ve added all kinds of crazy stuff and characters which is really fun. So now I’m ready to get back to it. It already has a title: “A Man Too Old, for a Place Too Far.” This is one of those novels where I thought of the title first and then wrote the story to fit it. I like to do that for some reason. Especially with my short plays. This is a fun novel and I can’t wait to get back to it. Set in New York City, Cambodia, Romania, Scotland, and a deserted South Pacific Island. I love it. A great combination.

So that’s what I’m up to. I hope to get this one finished this summer for, dare I say, a Christmas 2016 release?  That would be two novels released in one year. Sounds cool to me!

Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself, but that’s what I do.