A bit of a mixed bag

Rejection and acceptance. Progress and regress.

It's all part of the same mixed bag of what the writing life is about.

In one week, I've had another short story accepted for publication in a magazine (paying publication). The story is one of the best I've written, I think. I call it "Hawa Died Last Week," and I've mentioned it here in this blog before. Anyway, it's being picked up and I'll post a link to it online when it's available.

In the same week, I've gotten a rejection for one of my stories that I've been shopping around. I think the story is sound, and the editor at the magazine said they enjoyed it, but it wasn't right for them. To me, that means it's right for somebody, so I think I'll keep persevering with it, as well as tweaking it a bit and making it the best possible.

I've made a good amount of progress with the book project I'm working on, but at the same time, I've felt a bit stymied by the sluggishness of the researchers who are supposed to be sending me information for the writing I'm doing.

Again, I'm taking all this in stride, and I'm thankful that I'm working at all.