"For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate."
--Chaucer, Parliament of Foules

Well, St. Valentine's Day is upon us yet again, and once again, I won't be celebrating it with anyone, which sucks even more that I actually have a girlfriend this year. But, Janet and I had a really good phone conversation last night, so at least I was able to hear her voice. I'll be spending this evening with my parents at their house, along with my visiting aunt and uncle. Not the Valentine's evening I'd hoped for, but you take what you can get.

Saturday will be nothing-but-working-on-the-novel-outline day. It's due next Wednesday and I still have the entire second half to go. Time to dig in and get it finished. There are some things that I'm not sure about, but I'll have no shortage of suggestions from my classmates. Everyone in the class is pretty intelligent, and this past class actually went all the way to 7:00 because of such interesting and intense discussions.

Cup-a-Prose went pretty well last night, even if the entire cafe area was commandeered by the American Cancer Society. But I can certainly imagine worse ways to conduct a critique than on leather chairs immersed in the Literature section of the store. I got a lot of good comments on "Danza de los Duendes" and will hopefully be fixing it up and sending it out soon. Mike suggested Polyphony, but I've already sent them two stories, and don't wish to push it; plus, the deadline is tomorrow, and I really don't think I'll get to it in time for that. I'll think of somewhere else, probably start with F&SF first.

Sunday I'll see the new Daredevil movie with Jamie and hang out for a bit in Chapel Hill.

Even if I can't spend today with my lovely lady, I'll wish all you lovers out there a happy Valentine's Day. Treat your mates to some chocolate and flowers and sappy, sentimental poetry.

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Now Reading:
The Wannoshay Cycle by Michael Jasper

Stories Out to Publishers:
11

Stories Sold This Year:
3

Novel Word Count:
18,800