Got some more good progress on the novel this morning, though I have a feeling I may have to delete some of the stuff I wrote -- I keep trying to introduce and flesh out secondary characters, like today's nameless coffee store guy (see quote, below). Must... keep... roster... under control...

In other news, the weather is fan-frickin'-tastic here in Raleigh. Beautiful, and surprisingly pollen-free. A week of rain will do that for ya. Elizabeth and I and Whit the Wonder-Pup just got back from a 2-hour hike, and I even cut the grass on top of that.

Tonight, burgers on the grill and lounging on the back deck. That's about as ambitious as we'll be able to get, I'm afraid. I'm already winding down, and we still need to get to the grocery store for supplies.

Tomorrow I hope to hit 50k in the novel, and then it's nothing but reading in the afternoon -- Brian A. Hopkins' Stoker-nominated novel, and as much of my buddy Mark's novel as I can tear through -- great stuff!

Have a great Saturday! Later...

Now Playing:
"Rockin' the Suburbs," Ben Folds

Stories out to Publishers:
16

Today's Words:
2,500

Novel Words:
45,500

Words for '03:
63,200

Today's Quote:
“Ah,” the coffee guy said. “You know Mitch, huh? Guy’s been here all morning. Tell him he owes me a trip on his boat for all the coffee refills I’ve given him, will you?”

“Sure. Well, I’d better get going.” Balancing her drink and her scone in one hand, Ella grabbed the door, hating to leave the obviously-bored and lonesome coffee guy behind, but she had work to do.

“Okay, thanks,” the guy called. “And hey, keep an eye out for Blackbeard, will ya?”

“Ha,” Ella said on her way out. “Will do.”