That’s how I’m feeling today: rusty. I’m resuming so many activities now, things I’ve been doing for so many years (writing, back-to-school routines, friend-making) that they should seem familiar and easy, but they don’t. I feel like I’m bumbling and stumbling at every turn. But, as we all know, it’s just the first week of school, and once I get these rusty joints moving again, everything will move much more smoothly. (It doesn’t help that I just found out yesterday that I now need bifocals. If that doesn’t scream approaching middle-age, I’m not sure what does. And since I’ve been 27 for so long now, I’m not sure why this is happening to me. I mean, come on! I’ve been practically blind from nearsightedness and astigmatism since I was a kid; I guess I always just assumed that when I started to become farsighted, at some point, the two would have to meet in the middle and I’d wind up having 20/20 vision, but my optometrist tells me it doesn’t work that way. Nuts. Totally unfair.) Anyway, I may be rusty and blind and wearing cheaters over my glasses until my new lenses come in, but hey, I’m still moving, and that’s the point of today’s post, so let’s get on with it.

What have I been up to since my last post? Well, I joined a local writers’ group and have agreed to share some of my novel-in-progress for critique. That’s a little nerve-wracking, to say the least. I’ve never shown anyone a work that wasn’t at least finished, let alone shown a group of people I’ll be meeting for the first time when they critique it. Ah, well. Nothing like jumping right in feet first, is there? Can you say, “Cannonball!”?

I also discovered a local branch of the state writers’ conference and just signed up with them. I’m very excited to see they sponsor a huge writers’ conference in April, and have already marked my calendar. Creeeeeeaaaaak. What was that? Oh, I think that was one of those rusty joints I mentioned earlier; they’re groaning a lot from lack of use. Hmm…what else…I rediscovered my virtual book tour, which I began this spring and which is, apparently, still under way. (Thank God someone was paying attention, because I clearly wasn’t). It’s been fun this week, catching up on the reviews and interviews, though own my promotional activities around the tour are still pretty spotty, to say the least. In that light, here’s a link to one of my recent stops, an interview—Errrrrrrrkkkkkk. Oooo, there goes another joint.

I’ve also started researching grad schools–again. I know, I know. This again? Well, what can I say? It’s always bothered me that I’ve never finished my M.F.A., so I’m thinking maybe new state, new school, new chance for admission into a new program. I hate having unfinished business. I’ll keep you posted on that one–at least I don’t have to take the G.R.E. again–thank God for that.

I finally watched the video of my last appearance on “It’s A Woman’s World.” That brought back some great memories, and as soon as I can remember how I converted it from DVD to YouTube-uploadable format the last time, I’ll be sharing that with you, too, but if you missed some of the earlier ones, here’s a link. Snapcracklepop! Ouch, I think something just snapped in half! It’s amazing how fast you can lose momentum and turn into a rusted bag of bolts…let me see–what else? I’ve worked out some plot points on The Water Bearers (in case you don’t remember, that’s the working title of my second novel) and cleared up a couple of plot holes, which was probably a good thing to complete prior to sharing my work with my new writers’ group. If I can ever get past obsessively editing the first nine chapters, I’ll be in good shape to start writing the new ones.

So–I’m no longer whining (well, at least not as much, and most of that is my joints’ fault); in fact, I’m starting to feel pretty limber again, getting back into my writing groove. Boy, does it feel good. Glad you’re along for the ride!