Week of: 6/13/26

So far, so good where Summer Reading is concerned. Two books up, two books down. Today, I plan on starting one of the true behemoths: Anna Karenina, this list's requisite Russian Novel, lol.

In writing news, I wrote a short story that I expect will never get published anywhere. It's irreverent, anti-Christian, specifically, and angry. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, of course. I asked myself a few times near the beginning of writing it whether it was worthwhile for me to write -- or even, perhaps, unadvisable. Because of what it might say about me. That I'm angry, sometimes, that I'm a jerk (most or all of the time).

But then I kept thinking back to the Harlan Ellison quote that I look at most every day:

"Don't be afraid...don't let them scare you...the chief commodity a writer has to sell is his courage. And if he has none, he is more than a coward. He is a sellout and a fink and a heretic, because writing is a holy chore."

And that put me back on the path to writing the stories that call to me, even if I know they won't be... oh, well-received, lol. Maybe I shouldn't be taking advice from Mr. Ellison on how to win friends and influence people...? But what can I say? He remains one of my heroes.

Publication-wise, another week gone and more rejections. Settling in the groove of it again, and it feels nice. See you next time.