well, i've been pretty quiet lately, but that's not really new for me. i'm an introvert and keep pretty much to myself anyway.

of course, i'm in the middle of setting the toc for the next issue. i'm not very far along with it, because procrastination is my middle name. it's been slim pickins' as far as subs go, so the issue will be kind of lean, but i really don't care. i want stories that speak to everyone, so i'm being a bit pickier this go-round.

i'm afraid i'm done with writing, at least as far as fiction goes. please don't try to change my mind (you know who you are). i've been coming to this conclusion for quite some time now. i've lost the desire and it's been gone for quite a while. this latest rejection just kind of sealed it. i know exactly what is wrong with my writing. my conflict is always man against himself, and rarely gets any resolution except for acceptance. but i have no desire to fix it or work on it. it's the reality of the situation.

really, i'm not in the least upset by this. i'm not. and i'll still do nonfiction stuff, even if i don't get anywhere with it. i've always been more of a fan of truth than fiction anyway. and i've always held the belief that i'm a much better editor than writer. those that can't, edit.

however, i've been feeling a strong need to be creative. that does reside inside me and i've been seeking the best way in which to fullfill that need. i'm still searching. i've always loved art, and even though i've never been very good at drawing, i so enjoyed my art classes in college. my mother is an artist, and quite good, tho with her arthritis, she doesn't paint anymore.

in the early years, when mark and i got together, i did artsy/craftsy things all the time. i did all the flower arrangements for my sister's wedding, including her bouquet, and i was constantly doing arrangments and projects for the house, that is until the money got scarce and i couldn't afford supplies anymore. hobby lobby is my mecca, my eyes cloud over and i can wander for hours in there.

when i discovered photoshop, i fell in love with it. it closes the gap for someone like me who doesn't have the manual dexterity to draw or paint as well as others. it also helps with vision. lots of times i see it in my head, but when it's created right there in front of me, it's easier to see what's not right and easier to adjust. mark, who used to do web design for a living, always told me i'm pretty good at it. when i was a member of stories.com, i did graphics for people, and he got mad that i gave my stuff away.

anyway, where this is going is i'll be opening an online shop soon. no, i'm not an artist in the strictest sense of the word, but so what? i enjoy doing it, and it fills a strong desire inside of me, and if i can make a little money along the way, all the better.

when it's where i want it to be, links will be posted.