Happy Birthday, indeed. Thank You.

My birthday started as it usually does, with my folks calling much too early to sing Happy Birthday. We chatted for a bit, then I talked with Kat, then I got to work. I turned out two chapters for 5,085 words. Gave myself a present by introducing another villain and having him lie to about everyone he spoke to. He’ll be a lot of fun to play with.

In between chapters I took a run down to The Poisoned Pen bookstore. Dana Stabenow (New York Times Bestselling author), a very good friend, was working there for a day. She commented that every writer should work a day in an independent bookstore, since it’s “job security.” And she’s a great salesperson. I bought two books before I departed. 🙂

After the second chapter, I headed out to dinner with my friend Paul. We went to a sports bar called the Tilted Kilt. Amberly, who is cuter than cute, took good care of us. My neighbor Tom came in with his girlfriend Heather, so I was well treated to drinks (a whole three over four hours–not Hemingwayesque my drinking, but there you go). I got to see both the Suns and Coyotes win their games going away, so it was a good night.

With three days left in the month, I am 10,165 words from my goal of 100,000. I’m fairly certain I will be able to hit it. Then I have another 20K or so to go to finish the book.

But, I am exhausted, so I am going to crash. Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes here, in email and on Facebook. When you work alone as an author you have a couple things going for you. You’re definitely the smartest guy in the office. Okay, so you’re also the dumbest. But you are alone, and having folks wish me a Happy Birthday provided a wonderful source of smiles. Thank you.

November Word Count: Hard: 89,835 Soft: 17,604