I know it has been awhile since I posted here. There just never seems to be enough time to do everything I intend.

So, I guess I should catch up on what's been going on this week. In general it has been reading, critiquing, and pretending to write.

The story I'm working on just doesn't want to go anywhere. However, I have 1500 words of it written and I do not want to just put it in a corner and work on something else. Especially since I'm not sure I have a something else to work on. Sigh...

Thursday was Nalo's reading. She has a tremendously beautiful voice. She read a story about a garuda bird (something from Indian mythology). We had just critiqued Tom's story on a similar subject so that was kind of funny.

Yesterday she mentioned in class that we are still being far too nice to each other. I'm really not sure I can get meaner with these people. In my writing group at home it's not an issue; I know they can all take it and that they won't just ignore everything I say if I'm really brutal. I don't think I know everyone here well enough yet to gauge where that line is between being honest and making it so I put the writer on the defensive. And I like these people a lot. I don't want to hurt anyone. On the other hand, none of us are going to grow if we coddle one another. It's a sticky wicket.

Still no Mafia though Ben is asking to play. Personally I'm just as happy not to. I've heard it's pretty addictive, and I have enough distractions as it is, what with Wise and Otherwise, Apples to Apples, and Hearts. I really need to buckle down and focus on my writing.

Oh, Nalo joined us in games night a couple of times. That was pretty neat. She's quite socialble and a lot of fun. We did both the word games mentioned above. It was hysterical.

Also went bowling last night; it was Jonathan, Ryan, Sean, and I. Again. I did much more poorly than I had the last time, but still much better than I usually do at home. We played two games and Jonathan won them both. Probably because he's the only one amongst us who actually knows how to bowl. Though Ryan was doing pretty well too.

So, this is a really prolific group. On top of that many of them right very long. The average is about 5,000 words, but this week we had three stories either around or over 10,000 words and a fourth that was almost 12,000.

Thursday night was a nightmare with four stories to critique, two of which were the 10,000 worders. There were over 120 pages of reading. There was also the group dinner and Nalo's reading. Plus, we critiqued five stories that day so it ran a bit late. I didn't fall into bed until three am, and then I spent most of Friday in a groggy stupor.

I slept in today though. Didn't get up until 10:30 am. I feel worlds better. The weekends are really crucial to maintaining sanity.

That said I wish we could meet with the instructors on Sundays or something and just talk about writing, the business, that sort of thing. So far the instructors have touch upon it in class, but there is always so much work to do that we can't go into any real depth on the matter.

That's really my only complaint with Clarion though. It's an incredible experience.

I miss my husband. And the pets.

So, there is a barbeque planned for tonight. The theory is that both Nalo and Richard Paul Russo will be there. It should be interesting. Even if I do have to skip out in the middle of it. Today's the summer solstice and I actually remembered it before the day passed, so I am going to do some sort of ritual to celebrate. Not entirely sure what since my altar and ritual tools are all at home, but I'll manage something. At least my robe is here.

Well, that's more or less everything. Until later, bye, all!