I’m still working on finishing the final touches of my novel, THE FOURTH CHANNEL, as well as working on a query letter to send. I can’t believe how fast it’s coming together, and soon it will come to an end.

Last night, Tom and I had a chance to sit down and talk about my next writing project. This will be more of a throwback to Tolkein/Forgotten Realms. It takes place in an alternative world with wars and elves and dwarves and evil gods and destinies(!) — but it will have my spin on it. This morning I typed out the first few sentences, which means that the new project really has begun.

He wasn’t in shackles, but he wasn’t free. They led him out between four guards, through hastily erected huts of chopped timber and dirty canvas. The camp hadn’t stood longer than a few weeks but had already outlived its use; everything leaned as if it might collapse at any moment.

Earlier this year, I talked about my hope that everyone is challenging themselves to do something new — if there’s something on your “bucket list” or if there’s something in your heart that you’ve always wanted to do, I hope everyone is working on accomplishing at least one thing this year. Finishing this novel is the most amazing feeling. I’ll always remember that moment of finishing it — Tom was yelling at me to come eat dinner, and I just wanted to get those last few sentences out! I brought the laptop with me and I just couldn’t pull myself away until it was done. And the feeling that I had right after, just knowing that I had accomplished it… Indescribable joy, immeasurable personal satisfaction. I often hear people on TV say that they need to become rich and famous and have a bunch of fans in order to feel that their art is justified –

That’s crap. I know that firsthand now. Even if the book isn’t published, I’ll still feel great for writing it.

What are your aspirations? Are you working on them? Do it, I say! You’re more than a 9-5 crone working in a maze of cubicles. It’s time to show it.

EDIT: Okay, Tom wasn’t really “yelling” at me to come to dinner… It was more like nagging.