The Journal of Michael Merriam

I sent out my 300^th submission yesterday.  It seems like so -- few -- for five years of working at this writing thing.   Still no SFWA/HWA pro sale either.   I guess there's nothing to do but forge ahead.  I'm at one of those nadirs writers sometimes hit.  Hopefully I'll pull out of it soon.

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I haven't been working on Rija's Tale this week, instead I've turned my focus back on Dark Water Blues for awhile.  I gave it a continuity read this week, tweaked a few things.  I'm setting it aside again, and then I'll jump into tearing it apart and putting it back together in December.   I think it's nearly good enough to sell right now, but I can see where it still needs work.

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A friend of mine, not_han_solo , passed away recently.  I realized I've been out of sorts since them.  We had drifted away in recent years, but were the same age, had a lot of the same interests.  He started my interest in fire-dancing, and made our fire-chains, we gamed together.  I'm having trouble believing he's really gone.

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This came in my inbox today (which is why this post is f-locked):

Hi Michael,

I'm Z, 18, from Washington.  I share your eye disease.  I was diagnosed at 14 and would like to know what to expect in the future with my eyes.  Blessing.

Thank you,

Z

Oh man, for few words, that is one big question.  Wish me luck as I try to answer.

Peace,
Michael