Behind Schedule

You don't know this, but I'm two months behind in getting this blog up and running. I was going to launch in December, but that just didn't happen. Blame it on the snow. (whatever) Then, I was going to start in January. You know, new year = new project. But another new project trumped that timing (love you, Little Bear!). So now it's February. Happy Blog Launch!

Having Little Bear arrive has certainly put a damper on all kinds of activities, especially writing. I was fortunate enough in my "day job" to be able to take two weeks off from work for paternity leave while my wife and I adjusted to our new household reality. Six weeks later, I realize that the only true adjustment is to accept that you can't "adjust". It's Little Bear's world now, and I'm just living in it. And while part of me sighs every time a day goes by without being able to sit and write, or go for a workout, or watch a movie on TV, I still wouldn't have things any other way. I love being a dad.

So, the writing takes a back-seat for a while, but there's another big creative project in front of me. I'm directing Ibsen's An Enemy of the People for the Commonweal Theatre. It's rather nostalgic for me, because Enemy was the first play in acted in for the Commonweal. Last time, the script we used was Arthur Miller's adaptation. This one will come from Jeffrey Hatcher, which I'm very excited about. Rehearsals start the 16th, before which I hope to get in my traditional viewing of Waiting for Guffman (see above for challenges in watching DVDs). This show will also tour selected sites in MN - WI - IA in April, so check out commonwealtheatre.org/ibsentour to see if the show is coming to you!

Shout-Outs
I want to send shout-outs to some friends for their recent published works. La Crosse author J.J. Wilder and his collection of short stories Freaks, Geeks, and Scary Things available at Blurb.com. A.M. Stickel, editor of Black Petals, has written a short novel called Alat that you can download from BookLocker.com. It's a fantasy world where innocence can be fatal and the only virtuous path lies in succumbing to corruption. And also, Nick Ozment, editor of my own Beyond Midnight, has written Knight Terrors: The (Mis)adventures of Smoke the Dragon.

Lastly, a plug for myself. Thanks to everyone who bought a copy of Beyond Midnight. If you enjoyed it, tell a friend! And then go post a review on Amazon.com or Goodreads.com. Midwest Book Review gave this collection of horror and dark fantasy 5 stars and wrote: "An excellent read...not to be missed by short fiction fans".


Until then, I remain...

Darkly Yours