I've begun working with a law firm again for the first time in nine months -- a rebirth of my traditional law practice. I'm enjoying it, but it's taking a lot of my time and energy. As a result, my journaling is becoming less frequent. That may change after I become accustomed to my practice or it might stay just as it is.

My work has forced me to reprioritize. My now scarce spare time is devoted to my wife and little girl. Editing Lone Star Stories occurs when my family is sleeping, and I write in the small bubbles of time left over. My poetry is doing just fine -- my daily haiku journal is easy to maintain, and I write one longer poem a week. However, I'm not producing any fiction. Hopefully, I'll be able to fix that, but for now I'm glad that I have the energy to write anything at all.

It's been a while since I gave a personal submissions update, so here it is:

I have 24 stories and 37 poems out looking for homes, and I've sold 2 stories and 2 poems this month. This month's sales have brought my total sales since I began submitting work in August 2003 to 73. Looking at that number makes me feel like I'm writing about someone else's success.

On the publishing/editorial front, Lone Star Stories is definitely getting noticed, as evidenced by the positive reviews it has garnered over the past few months and by the rising number of talented authors submitting their work to the webzine. I'm starting to think about taking Lone Star Stories to the semi-pro level (higher pay rates, etc.), but that process will be a long and challenging one. Suggestions are welcome.

Well, that's it for news for now. Good night!