Back in my beloved routine for a few days, I sat down and began creating one take of my WIP (work-in-progress). I have written more than 31.000 words. Now, those of you who are good at math might query: But, Laura: There have been eleven full weeks since the year began. If you were meeting your quota, wouldn't you have 55,000 words?

True. But when you add one short story (8,000 words), and the introduction to the re-issue of Heaven to Betsy/Betsy In Spite of Herself (1,000 words) and another short story in process . . . well, then it's pretty much on track, especially given that I didn't have time to write while teaching in Guatemala and I have lost a few writing days to the tour. This is a pretty good pace and I feel confident that I'll have time to do my usual three drafts before deadline looms this fall.

Meanwhile, I am interested in another number, the one that tracks visitors here. True, it doesn't track unique visitors, but I still think it's pretty cool that it's on track to hit 400,000 this week.

Back to work.