Welcome to My Gerbil Ball

May 21, 2007

I find myself in the situation of having nothing to say. So instead of saying it, I'm going to say why (figures, huh?).

I've got this big nonfiction report due on June 1. Due to foot-dragging on the part of several sources (namely 10 state governments and the federal government in general) it will be a miracle if that happens. So I'm working my ass off to get what I've got done into turn-in-able fashion, so I can say to the publisher, "Look, start copyediting and fact checking on Chapters 1,2, and 3. I'm working on the data for Chapter 5 and much of Chapter 4 depends on what I pull up from Chapter 5."

Also, the day after Memorial Day, I'm heading to Denver for a week-long genetics meeting. It's not quite a vacation and not quite a business trip, it's a little of both. I have things I have to do and plenty of time left over for drinking and and eating and touristy things. I will take my laptop and try to get some work done--probably on the novel--but I know from past experience that hardcore writing is very tough to get done in a hotel room, particularly if it involves number crunching or interviews--have you ever used long distance from a hotel phone? The rates aren't worth the hassle and depending on the hotel, the cell phone connections can be iffy.

So, one reason I'm spacy today is because I spent much of the weekend working on the project. I found some statistical inspiration to solve what was seeming to be an unsolvable problem. So I spent a good 8 or 10 hours writing this weekend and this morning I'm feeling a little bit fried.

Such is the life of a freelance writer. I love it, but man, I could use a vacation.

Cheers,

Mark Terry