The wait....

And so the waiting begins.  The manuscript and application to the Appalachian Writers Workshop at Hindman Settlement School were mailed today, one day early I'd like to say.  They are supposed to announce on June 1st who was accepted; however, I know from previous years' experience that they mail acceptance letters and they rarely arrive on the day.  They did ask for email addresses this year, and I don't remember that from previous years, so perhaps they will be notifying us that way.  Still, it will be a nagging little nugget in my head for the next nineteen days, YES I counted.

At least I have a few writing things to keep me busy while I wait.  Firstly, I won a free signed copy of Marge Fulton's The Holler!  Fun, twisted stuff!  I definitely have only been reading stuff for school lately, and while that is fun in it's own way, it isn't as stimulating as I would like.  Secondly, I need to be working on editing out the 200 pages of Death Stories and plotting out the end so I can send to the editor who is interested.  This definitely takes precedence, but is an arduous process that I just couldn't face this evening (after taking an accidental elbow to the eye from a student).  Thirdly, I have been accepted at Hollins University's Tinker Mountain Writer's Workshop.  I'll be taking the Advanced Novel class under Fred Leebron (my first choice of Advanced Short Story with Pinckney Benedict isn't being held).  I need to edit up a section of the novel to work on there.  That should be easy enough since I'm editing anyway.  However, I'll also need something to read for the student readings and open mic night.

WHEW!  I never thought this dream meant less work, just different work.  However, I have always struggled with the fact that until this dream fully takes off in a planetary direction I have to work my job (which is a dab more strenuous and time consuming for 10 months than many jobs), plus attempt the whole mom and wife thing occasionally when the troops get restless, on top of working to make the dream come true.  Stick on top of all those things that I have to write from SCRATCH two 180 day curriculums this summer.  As a side note, I've been participating in a Biggest Loser competition at my job, and have recently moved up to the top five (and maybe even higher tomorrow at the weigh in) out of forty people losing 10% of my starting body weight.

So...on this day that I sent my baby sailing down the road toward acceptance or rejection, I am going to bed early.  I'm going to retire to my covers with my ipod and some scary stories to boot!