I know it's been too long since I last wrote, but things have been incredibly hectic here. The schoolwork is just piling up. I have a paper that's going to be 60 percent of my grade that I have yet to start, I have to read UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, and we are doing short fiction in my creative writing class.

There are also some family issues going on. My mom is being treated for high blood pressure, and I'm really worried about her. I'm even more worried about my aunt in ICU with pnuemonia. However, I am told she is getting the best possible care and should pull through.

I worry anyway, about everyone.

My writing is going a bit better. I am revising in earnest my Death story, which I think is more ambitious than any other piece I've done. It's also eight hundred words longer, but I suspect some of that is going to be cut.

I've also started another story that may or may not be more ambitious. I haven't really explored it and the characters enough to tell.

The writers' group I was organizing actually seems to be taking off now. Granted only three of the five people can actually make it regularly, but a fourth is supplying material via email and such. It's not too bad.

Kyle's story is coming along beautifully. I think he has a really good chance of getting it published. Especially since one of the college professors is making calls for him.

I don't think I'm going to get into Clarion this year. It's strange how much my perspective has changed, but I have been looking back over the stories I submitted, and I'm not pleased with them. One is okay, if a bit simplistic (and I think the idea may be a bit worn), and the other was just terrible. I've pretty much started it from scrap, and I'm not even sure it's worth salvaging. Oh well, I guess if I don't get accepted it is still a valuabe learning experience. Next year I will take more time to polish things and consider my choices.

Anyway, that's about all here. Things are pretty slow.

Bye, all!