December 31st, 2015

The street outside of my childhood home, Christmas Eve.

I know. Okay? I know. I know. ... I know. And this entry ain't nothing to shake a stick at, either.

Now that we've talked about how it's Day 212, let's go onward with me explaining what I've been doing.

I was struggling with this blog, thinking about how it has to be absolutely perfect every time I write, but that's not the point of the challenge. So I'm just going to catch you up, and we're going to take it from there.

I have been working diligently on two short stories that I have now submitted (and am currently trying not to fret over), and I've gotten to Act III in my next revision of my WIP.

I've also been writing for the MFA Years blog, and getting ready for PPWC.

AND I had a panel accepted to ICFA, so I'll see you guys there!

There are a couple of other really cool things, but I haven't gotten the go-ahead to say anything, so I won't.

We're a week out from residency. I spent the last two weeks enjoying my holidays at home with my family and friends. Got some great swag, gave some great swag, and started making plans for the new year.

And of course Star Wars.

Rolling into this next year, I'm excited. I'm going to submit, I'm going to revise, I'm going to create. We're heading out to the Bahamas in two months, and then all these conferences and opportunities. July will end with graduation, and then who knows what the wind may bring?

But as I do a reflection of 2015, I'm torn, because I had such a great year, but the rest of the world did not. I mean, there were good things that happened, but too many shootings, too many broken families, and everything from Syria to Trump is making our modern reality look bleak. While I'm coming up from my little hole of sad, it looks like the world just keeps plunging.

I guess we just have to keep trying.