A Tongue in Knots

Hello, all!

I think I’m going to start trying to make these blog posts weekly, so be sure to check in. I’m going to aim for Mondays, for now.

What better way to keep you all updated on what I’ve been up to, after all? Besides, it’s so easy to fall behind, what with work (bare minimum of 40 hours a week, though I don’t remember the last time I got by without overtime), the normal responsibilities of life, anxiety, and occasional bouts of depression. This will be a nice way to hold myself accountable, and a good way for me to see whether or not I’m making enough progress.

So, to that end, this is where I’m at right now.

In my current work in progress, a sci-fi series set in space 1,000 years from now, humans interact with a couple of alien species. I’ve been working on a language for those aliens, because, let’s face it, aliens aren’t just going to speak our language. That’d be silly. 

In the books, there are a few sections which needed translated, and I’m FINALLY done with that. It’s been tedious, and certainly time-consuming, coming up with grammar rules, and deciding the ways that their words interact with each other to make new words. But it’s done. 🙂

I’ve yet to make the symbols for their alphabet, simply plugging in our letters. The symbols will be easy. I’ll save them for a time when my characters are misbehaving, and stressing me out. That way, I get a break, but still make progress. For now, I can get back to actually writing the series. I’ve got some notes jotted down for it, and everything, which is unusual for me. I don’t typically outline anything.

I submitted my post-apocalyptic drama (set right here in Illinois!) to a few publishers. I’m very excited about this novel, in particular. It’s gritty, and raw, and gut-wrenching, as a post-apocalyptic story should be, in my humble opinion.

I also submitted one of my fantasy novels to a few more places. And submissions closed for the compilation that I entered a couple short stories into, so they’re reviewing hundreds of entries as I type.

I know, submitting a novel doesn’t sound like it would take long, but I promise, it does. Each publisher or agent has their own guidelines and their own list of things they want you to write up to send with the story. In short, it makes me want to rip my hair out, and scream. A lot. Usually with cuss words sprinkled liberally throughout.

Anyway, I’m rambling a bit, now, so I think I’ll draw this post to a close. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I have submissions out all over the place, and hope to come back after anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 months with news that someone wants to publish another of my novels or short stories.