Day 312: Hill hiking, house hunting.

So since ICFA, three things have happened.

One: I started working more at a part-time job that I love.

Two: I started cranking out short stories like no one's business. I've got one that I really love. I printed it off and decided to try to revise it by hand. So far, it's making me slow down and really think about the way that I'm shaping my words.

Three: We went house hunting. We found a house. We're in the middle of closing on that house. It has consumed my life.

Most days have been me running from one gig to another for work, stealing revision time in deli shops during lunch breaks. Then after work, I drive into the country to hike or see the trees coming into green, and I try to find some sort of inspiration for another short story. Iowa can be a beautiful place once you give it a chance, like this hiking trail I found on the side of the Loess Hills. Look at how small Omaha looks from a cliff.

But then the house thing happened. We got a realtor. We got approved. We got a house that we're working on finalizing. And this past week has been a barrage of different nonsensical chores that need to get done. I come home tired and sweaty and just absolutely exasperated, and I have time to poke at a short story before going to bed.

I also have Pikes Peak Writers Conference coming up in less than a week. I'm looking forward to what adventures await out in Colorado, and I hope to see some of you there. It shall be a blast.

I have to say, I'm absolutely terrified of getting a house. I also have to say, I'm absolutely terrified I'm not working full time. And I am also incredibly, completely, and fully paralyzed with fear when I think about what I need to do for my writing. But we move along. We take leaps of faith that things are going to work out. We follow our hearts. So here we are, following our hearts to edges of Iowan cliffs and deep into the northern woods to find a home we'll love. Here I am, digging deep into my guts to find the stories. Let's hope we keep staying strong.