BOOMING ALONG, FISHING FOR REAL

Me and some cousins

Big breakthrough. I'm writing at home on my desktop computer. Rewriting a novel called The Porn Writer or Reprogramming Frank Singletary or who knows what? Happy to unblock. I hadn't thought of it as writer's block. I considered it an inconvenience created by the plague. I'm certainly much happier to be writing or rewriting at something. 

My newest short stories are being rejected by literary magazines, but two more rejections were very positive. One wrote, "We were very impressed with your work, but unfortunately will not be able to include it in [...] this year. We hope you'll consider submitting to us again in the future." I must must wait till September to try them again.The other wrote, "We'll be happy to consider any new work you care to submit in the future."

Nice to feel so close. Like they're swimming down there, tempted by my bait. I've put together a collection of stories too, but I need to bring those tales into line with latest revisions. Maybe the impact of all of them in a contest might get a publisher's interest. Who knows? Maybe try The Iowa Review contest. 

The photo? Yep, that's me, the tough guy, first born of cousins, on the top right. Top left, my cousin Edward. Both of us Navy vets, but he died of complications of alcoholism while I survived. He was a powerful personality. Booze life? It's so much fun until it isn't. I'm sad thinking of him.