Second day now and all is going well. It's amazing how a simple change in routine can kick writing production in to high gear.

I'm now waking up at 4 a.m. and doing my writing before heading off to work in the morning. That, coupled with the fact that I've been walking to work instead of taking the bus seems to be greatly enhancing both my attitude and production levels. I managed to crank out four pages yesterday and another three pages this morning on the new novella. I'm not sure how well it's turning out, but then again, I never can tell when I'm in the process of writing a new piece. It's coming out slow, and I knew it would. The story seems to be dictating a more methodical pace as the backstory slowly comes out into the open.

Some stories write themselves. The story I just sold to Aeon magazine is one such story. I wrote it in four hours on a Saturday morning and beyond minor fixes, it was ready to go out the door then.

This one, I think, is going to take a bit more work, but I think the tale is definitely worth the telling. And of course, it came along into my head just as I was trying to get the new novel finished by the end of March. I'm still going to give it a try, but I'm going to have to pick up the pace once this novella is finished.

So, if I'm scarce, you'll know why.

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of The Abyss.