Week in Review: Sunday Special - Aug. 8-13, 2022

Late nights, a nasty heat wave, and a whole lot of editing

There were plenty of ups and downs last week. Back to back muggy days of 95 degree weather, poorly executed stories, and a magazine submission have kept me busy. While my days are spent caring for my son as a stay-at-home dad, I’ve grown accustomed to the long nights of focus work and lack of sleep.

From 10pm - 12am I write, read, and study as much as I can. Many nights can be challenging and I sometimes find myself wrestling with inner doubt when my eyes feel heavy. However, it’s important to find ways to keep the flame burning inside; to develop little reminders for yourself when it gets hard. For me, I have two methods that keep pushing me on my path to being a pulp writer.

1. Other beginning writers

2. My son, Cooper

Power in Numbers

I’ve been on this journey for a lifetime but the last two years have been the most impactful.

The pandemic of 2020 kept me at home working and offloaded the 2-hour a day train commute. With the extra time, I found myself back into writing as a hobby. I spent my time outside of work consuming craft books, listening to writing podcasts, investing in courses, and littering blank pages of leather bound notebooks.

Two years later I’m just beginning to see the improvements in my craft. Ray Bradbury was correct when he said it is impossible to write 52 bad stories in a row. Writing daily and weekly is the “fastest” way to improve your skill as a writer. But private study is just the tip of the iceberg. Finding other, like-minded people who can comment and criticize your work is critical in my opinion.

That’s when I stumbled upon The Soaring Twenties Social Club

A fine group of writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, poets, entrepreneurs, and creative degenerates that constantly challenge and push me daily not as a “content creator” but as an artist; a person who wishes to leave behind a body of work for the pleasure of producing the work. Not for the silly business of building an audience.

The men and women of this group have been instrumental in my origin story as a writer. I’ve met some remarkable people, many I’m happy to call friends.

Finding other writers who are up and coming has been tremendously rewarding for my own growth. Learning and developing together makes the journey far more enjoyable and proves that I don’t have to be alone in this mission.

Dear Son

Harlan Ellison was convinced that a writer only wrote for posterity and nothing else. While that may be true for some people, for me it’s a little different. Being a pulp writer is less about smoldering ambition to climb to the top of some imaginary ladder of publishing. It’s about doing something that brings me joy the same way a carpenter is called to woodworking. I write because I enjoy it and if I can make a living doing it then why the Hell not?

But I don’t have to be remembered as a writer by the masses. If at the time of my departure from this world I am only known as a good father and loving family man, then I’ve done my job right. That is more than enough for me. I’ve won.

However, part of the reason I’m documenting all this and pursing this madness is for my son. I want him to grow up knowing his father did everything he could to pursue his dream. I want him to understand that he can design his own life according to his terms. Living your own life with pure intention takes guts and is not easy. Sometimes dreams take longer to achieve and sometimes they don’t work out at all.

But I have to try.

Children learn from their parents not by listening to them, but by observing them. I must show him what it looks like to build a life you want or die trying. I’m showing him that it’s possible. This is for you, Cooper.

What I’ve Written

I submitted last week’s story to the professional science fiction and fantasy magazine, Clarkesworld. It was rejected but this is the name of the game, folks. I’ve already submitted it to another magazine. As promised, I’ll be showing my rejection letters on the journey.

Again, if I’m rejected by all Pro-markets I will post the stories on this newsletter for a limited time. On the the next story…

What I’m Studying

Right now the biggest obstacle to my production is editing. I’ve invested in a few resources to to help edit my copy and practice more self-editing. The goal is to get into the habit of producing a clean draft on the first go. I believe it can be done.

What’s Next

Another week, another story to work on. I’ve learn a tremendous amount from this experiment and I’m just getting warmed up.

That’s all folks.