My latest story “P2P” is now up online at Alienskinmag.com. I’m rather happy to see this story up online. I had a lot of fun writing this piece. And although it was rejected time and time again from all the major magazines, I am rather proud that it found its niche.
I came up with the story idea a while ago and just sat down and whipped the story out. It’s not a complicated story, is a bit humorous (for those who get the joke), and I poke fun at the music industry. Ever since Napster came on the scene back in 1999, I have believed that the music industry has continued to drop the ball in embracing new technology.
Personally, I believe that iTunes is a step in the right direction and that the Podsafe Music Network is a revolutionary way of bringing music to the masses. I’m tired of the music we hear on the radio being controlled by such a small group. It’s extremely difficult to hear new music or to be offered selections that branch out of the Top 40. I’m happy that the Podsafe Music Network is around and I hear that they’ll be selling songs soon. There’s a few songs that I would like to check out and purchase. If you’re in for a rocking song, be sure to listen to Brother Love's Summertime. That’s damn good rocking song. I heard it a few times on Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code.
What’s so amazing about the Podsafe Music Network is that you can see what podcasts recently played the “Summertime” song and links exist to visit those sites. How cool is that? Not only can you hear excellent music, but you can then obtain great content and download those podcasts to your iPod and you’re on your way.
I don’t have to simply listen to the crap on the radio but have a selection of several thousand podcasts out there on the Internet. If you’ve not tried any of this new podcasting stuff out, download iTunes and once it’s installed, click on the podcast icon in the menu. If you’re still not sure what podcasting is, just think of it as taped radio shows that you can download to your computer and then copy over to your mp3 player (or just listen on your computer).
I went off on a tangent there a bit, but I do like podcasting and am impressed that such a grassroots campaign has taken off so effectively. My story “P2P” has a bit of fun about what would happen if “peer-to-peer” technology really took off. Literally. But I don’t want to ruin the story for you. It’s under 1,000 words so it’s not too long. Go check it out.
How is the writing scene going for me? Well, I’ve had the following acceptances in the last week:
--My story “P2P” was published on Alienskinmag.com --My “how to” podcasting article was accepted for publication in the SFWA’s “The Bulletin.” --A travel article I wrote for Craftytraveler.com has been accepted and should be published within a week or two
I’m happy that I’ve made such progress in my writing but I must admit that it’s been difficult work. I have 8 other pieces out in the mail and I am currently working on a Magic: The Gathering article for MTGSalvation.com and I finished the rough draft to a science fiction short story. I’m hoping to start working on a second draft next week. I rather like this new story. We’ll have to see how my work on it progresses and hopefully I can put it out in the mail soon.
In the course of the last month of work, I currently have 8 different pieces out in the mail. That’s a mix between stories, articles, and my novel. Now I’m not saying that this is an amazing number, but it’s been extremely hard work. Trying to make the time to do my writing, the business of writing (keeping track of files, cover letters, preparing materials to be sent out in the mail or e-mail, etc.), and working full-time, and spending time with my family is not easy. In fact, I would say that it’s downright difficult.
I was daydreaming on the way home from work the other day and I started thinking about people who go home from work and just do what they want. You know, watch TV all night, or go hang out and play basketball, and the like. My life is definitely not like that. I come home and either feed or bed, bath, and beyond my son. If it’s a feeding night, I’ll help prepare his meal or take the food from what my wife has cooked for us and feed him. Then I’ll clean up from dinner, make his lunch, and mine. I’ll check to see if my wash needs to be done (or my son’s). I’ll get my clothes ready for work the next day and then I’ll get onto the computer. Granted I don’t do this every night because some nights I take time off to relax (to watch a movie or play some online games, make phone calls to family members, etc.). On the nights that I bed, bath, and beyond my son, I’ll clean up from dinner, make my lunch and my son’s, bring him upstairs, give him a bath, get my clothes out for work, and then we’ll go into his room and cuddle on his little sofa and I’ll rest on my back and read to him. At about 7:45 p.m., I’ll put him to bed and then get onto the computer.
Am I complaining? No, I’m not. I just realize that there isn’t a lot of time in my life to work no projects. Work on the house, cleaning, and the like is split up mostly on the weekends (mowing the lawn, weeding, etc.). When I factor how little time I have, I find that most of my time working is between 8 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at night or at 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. That doesn’t give me much time. And on the weekends, I try to spend more time with my family and less on working.
All in all there’s a lot of juggling around so that I can complete writing projects. It’s difficult and requires discipline and I admit that I’m not as strict as I could be. But I ask myself this question: Is it better that I do some work and some writing or just complain and do none at all? When I take a look at my tracking grid and see all the submissions I’ve sent out over the last few years, I am impressed. I’m not saying that I’ve had a lot of pieces out, but that I do try. Am I settling for second best? No, I would rather look at my life as seeing using the cards that I’ve been dealt and playing the best hand. It’s not always about winning the big prize, but to have fun on the journey. And that’s what I’m struggling toward: Remembering that writing is fun and not a chore. When I remember that, the words flow.
