Wow. Missed a whole month here. I can't remember the last time that happened.

So, it's May. Time sure flies when you're having fun.

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On the writing front: wow. I've had a much better year already than I have since I started full-time freelancing. It's hard to believe it's been less than two years since I started to devote my time to freelancing exclusively. It's been quite an adventure, and I'm still learning and flying by the seat of my pants.

I must be getting better, because I recently beat out 500+ applicants for a gig writing regularly for a website. Still waiting on more details, but that would be a very nice egg in my basket.

I made it through three rounds of testing to write for WiseGEEKS, and the last time I tried that (about 18 months ago) I never made it through the first round. So that's another egg -- works for me.

Doing well with private clients, to include copy editing a craft book and next on the list is building an index for it. I was totally up front with the client and told her I'd never built an index before and she admitted she never has either. Still, she accepted my bid and I will give it my best shot and add another Mad Skill to the tool box.

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When I started out writing, I had vague dreams of becoming a famous author on the lines of SK, JK, or DK, but since I focused mostly on short fiction, that dream faded a bit. And since short fiction didn't pay (so I thought at the time) I ended up writing non-fiction. I have often utilized the notion of "spinning" articles -- you know, you've done all the research and have written one article, but it's a shame to let all that research just sit there, so you write a different article from a different angle and sell that.

I never made the connection of copyrights and fictional material (most of the non-fic I write is sold as "all rights" and I'm fine with that) until I started reading this blog and had a total EUREKA moment. Spinning is possible with fiction! Well, not exactly spinning, but selling pieces of the pie, as Dean puts it. Uh. HEL-THE FRICK- LO!

I am going to have to do a Major Re-Adjust.

But, before I do that, I really need to take inventory and define what I want to do. Which is way more thinking than I'm capable of on a Thursday.

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Work has progressed on Pallas, slow but getting there. Dean has a lot of advice about writing novels that I plan on reviewing, and I will say since the bulk of this novel was written in under 8 weeks, I always had a sneaking feeling that it had to suck. I mean, it takes YEARS to write a novel, right? Not so much. And it doesn't suck. So that was a nice moment too, to realize it doesn't have to take a huge chunk of time to write a book and if you are able to write fast that doesn't mean it sucks.

So noted for future reference.

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It has been a really weird couple of years for me. I figure if I can establish a writing career in the middle of death, illness, constant gypsy-like behavior, and Various and Sundry Other Personal Details, then the sky is the limit. I have written in the weirdest of places; I have maintained a standard of quality of which I'm very proud; I have Never. Stopped. Working. at what I want -- which is a freelance career in writing for a living.

When I look back at what I've accomplished so far, I realize it may not be a whole lot to some people. I'm still struggling, I'm still neurotic as hell, I'm still doubting and scrabbling and every time I get the two ends in close proximity to meeting, some cosmic bullshit happens and I'm once again at square one. But you know what? Since I quit the last hotel job I have supported myself (as minimal as that lifestyle is, work with me here) solely on my writing endeavors. And actually, that feels pretty fucking awesome.

I'm a writer. I hope someday to be a fine writer. But within my scope, I'm fairly happy with what I'm able to do, and I look forward to doing much more.