Happy Birthday to Me

Look, I know it’s been a while since I’ve written here. But, in my defense, I’ve been busy! Busy writing! And taking vacations! And working! And dealing with (gestures frantically in the air) all of this!

Everything is fine.

For a while, I was disappointed in myself for not writing anything here. But then I realized that this is my space and I can do what I darn well want with it. So, I gave myself some grace and got back to the business of living my life as best I can.

From the week I spent in upstate Wisconsin with one of my best friends.

I don’t really do “resolutions” for the New Year. But since my birthday resides within the first week of the new year, I try to come up with some goals or a “to-do” list for the year. Here is the list for 2026:

1. Finish “Aliens Redline” draft.

2. Finish “The Carving Board” draft.

3. Pitch either novel at Stokercon 2026.

4. Submit at least 4 times each month.

5. Read one new book each month.

6. Revise existing short stories.

7. Write 4 new short stories this year.

That sounds like a lot, but it’s kinda what I’ve been doing for the past six months, so I think it’s doable.

The first two items are the most daunting; pushing through them is going to be the toughest thing I do all year. The rest of the list is just to remind myself to get into a groove of working on my writing every day. And that doesn’t mean actually writing every day but doing things that support my writing every day.

So, today I turn 58 years old. The line from “The Shawshank Redemption” rings in my head every birthday: “Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’. Absolutely goddamn right.”

The best ending.

I wish myself joy in the work.