After a month and a half of side projects and other fun distractions, I finally am able to announce that I've completed a brand-new chapter, as of this morning! Chapter ten of Sixteen Miles from Everywhere is done. You can't go wrong with a chapter that starts out with chiggers and ends with a rabid-looking greyhound.

Because I'm feeling self-indulgent, here's the opening paragraph:

I itched my leg for the first time after we'd entered the narrow tunnel that housed the rotten stream. I thought it was just a mosquito at first, or maybe a thorn from one the countless bushes I'd brushed past on my way to this place, underground. I lifted my left foot and scratched at my right ankle with the top of my old workboot, but that only gave me a moment's relief. To really do this itch justice, I'd need to sit down and go at it with the fingers of both hands. It was that bad.

I'm working from home today, due to a babysitter shortage, so when Drew wakes from his nap we're going out Moleskine-hunting! I'm still writing this novel long-hand (and loving it), but my poor notebook is taking a beating. Plus I spilled coffee on it. As a reward for finishing this chapter, I want to splurge and get me a Real Writer's Notebook from Borders or Barnes and Noble. Plus I know Drew will enjoy looking at ALL the books.

In other news, I received the initial cover to my pseudonymously written paranormal romance Heart's Revenge. You can see it over in Julia's blog (you are reading her blog, aren't you???). I like the cover quite a bit (even if there's one minor geographic problem with it -- anyone familiar w/ Ocracoke notice it?). They took a lot of my suggestions, and it is definitely NOT a cheesy romance cover.

And finally, I wanted to tell people in the area to go check out the Durham ArtWalk this Saturday and Sunday. Our buddy Clarke will have a table there for the debut of Dogwood Studios -- cool hand-made purses, nifty cards and framed art! Check it out. Lizzie has a class both days, but Drew and I are definitely planning on going over for it.

And now, back to work! Later...