Classes start tomorrow. I’ve spent much of the last week trying to get things organized. We had a faculty member come down with a health issue that will prevent him from teaching this semester. We were already understaffed. I get to teach an additional class. (I’m being compensated, and it will let me try some changes we’re wanting to make with a small group before implementing them on a large scale.)
I answer directly to the department chair. He was recently promoted to associate dean. I’ll find out who my new boss is sometime tomorrow when the interim is announced.
There’s been several of types of drama I won’t go into except to say some of the biggest prima donnas and divas aren’t in the entertainment industry. They’re in academia.
Ilya Repin, Barge Haulers on the Volga, 1870-1873
Hopefully, this semester won’t feel like I’m one of the Volga Boatmen.
I’ve done almost no writing for the past five months. I’ve found I need a pretty consistent schedule to stay productive. I intend to eat better, exercise more, and go to bed earlier. Part of the problem has been that by the time I get a few free minutes to write, it’s so late, I can hardly put two words together. My son will have band until 6:00 after school (if they get out on time, which isn’t a guarantee). Rather than taking him home and then back in the evening, I’ll just stay at work until time to pick him up. Then I’m home for the evening most nights. This will help. I’ve got several short novels and novellas in various stages of completion I want to try to finish up and publish this fall.
As for the blog, I’ll try to post something every week. I’ll also try not to let it turn into a birthday blog, although I’ll keep doing those posts. I’m not going to accept many requests to review things. That has started to look like work. I’ll post about things I’ve read, although they’ll be mini reviews more than full length reviews. And occasionally I’ll rant about something stupid that happens in the field.
So that’s how things stand and what I’m planning on doing for the next few months.
Same here. I haven’t written a thing this year and balancing mad hours with getting kids ready for school in the mornings, it doesn’t leave must time for writing, and when you cut a sliver off for writing your brain is already entering zombie mode.
Have to say, though, the Pre-Tolkien Fantasy Challenge reignited an old feeling I haven’t felt at all this year. I miss it.
I’ll keep trying and we’ll be here whenever you post something. Good luck!
Thank you. I’ve got several reviews I need to write, both over fantasy and science fiction.