The Journal of Michael Merriam

...you go here and read the first installment of yuki_onna's The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

Catherynne is offering this new YA novel on the internet on a donation model. She writes a cool story and gives it to you for free, you decide what it's worth to you. There is more information about the project here.

I haven't been posting as much lately because it seems like careswen and I are busy busy busy. There's just a lot going on in our lives right now, and I haven't able, or frankly, willing to spend any of the little bits of spare time I have posting to LJ. I have been making little quick hit posts over on my Facebook. Also, I'm going to go ahead and open a Dreamwidth account, since one of my flist was kind enough to spot me an invite code. On the other hand, I'm going to close and delete my MySpace page at the end of the month. I've mostly been keeping it to stay in contact with my family, and they are starting to open up Facebook accounts.

Rija's Tale is nearly done. I need to finish this chapter, maybe have one or two more and then wrap it up. Once I've hit the end of the first draft on Rija's Tale I'll go back and start my rewrites on Dark Water Blues. I'm still waiting to hear back from the agent who asked for the full manuscript of Last Car to Annwn station. Fingers crossed.

In "around the house" news, we had the annual cleaning of the dryer vents and inspection of the fireplace, in accordance with HOA rules. I also had them clean my air ducts and heater vents, which, given the amount of crap that came out of them, hasn't been done in this place in years. I thought the previous owners had done it when they remodeled, so I thought this years was the first time I needed to have it done. That's what I get for assuming.

Besides working on Rija's Tale, I also have my quarterly copywriting gig this month. I should have that one done by Monday. Anyone know any other catalog or mail order places that need a freelance copywriter? No? Time for me to start poking around looking for more work in that field.

I've put in my panel requests for both 4th Street Fantasy Convention and CONvergence. I still need to sort out of I'm doing anything for Diversicon.


Rija's Tale

Will someone please explain to me--with small words and large illustrations--why?

I've already read the faq and a handful of posts people are linking around. What I want to know is why are you opening a Dreamwidth account? I'm trying to understand why I should ask for a code to a whole new networking site when LJ works fine. I want to understand why 50% of my flist here on LJ seems to think it needs a DW account as well.

Explain to me, please.