The Journal of Michael Merriam

There is a frost advisory tonight. This makes me happy in ways I suspect many of you will not completely get. Bring on autumn and winter. They can't get here soon enough for me.

In honor of the wonderfully cold weather, I'm making curry tonight. Of course, this means I have the Vindaloo song stuck in my head as I'm cooking, but what can you do?

I just finished writing a scene in the Fey and Mage novella that involves a rather gruesome death. Yeah. Richard accidentally exploded somebody. Not at all pretty.

I laid down on the floor to get some fuzz-therapy after writing a nasty death scene. The Reverend obliged, but then sneezed on my face.

The Phantom Streetcar Novel is tentatively titled Last Car to Annwn Station. I don't love it, but it works for now. I'm beginning to seriously think that I may have to take a week off work, perhaps even a week in hiding somewhere, in order to finish the rewrite. As I said earlier: I can write first-draft in the various odds and ends of time I can squeeze writing into these days, but I can't work on the novel unless I have some time to actually work!

The chimney and fireplace have been professionally cleaned and certified safe for another season.

K, I need to go back to cooking dinner.

Peace and Curry,
Michael

1. We spent yesterday afternoon walking around the Sculpture Garden and then Loring Park. It was a lovely day and we got to hear the bells at two different churches ring out for weddings.

2. Last night's gaming session was low-keyed, but useful. The players are starting to put the puzzle pieces together. I've had to go back and retrofit the game's mythology and continuity a couple of times, but I think I've managed to keep it from being too confusing. Three more sessions to go, including the explosive finale. Then I take a break from running games for a couple of months.

3. I have this book on order from the library, but I suspect I will need to own it. I'm slowly building a collection of books about Minneapolis – St. Paul history. Oh yes, I am.

4. Writing long-hand in the notebook has made my production increase again. It's just easier to slip in little bits of writing here and there if I'm working long-hand. Of course, then I have to type it up, but no system is perfect.

5. Yes, I had to increase my projected word count. Again.

Fey and Mage In Need of a Title