I’m in a weird transitional head space right now. On June 30 I finally graduated from grad school with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction, after two and a half years. The day before I left for my final week of school, I said goodbye to my job of six years. I’d been feeling for a while that this year was going to herald some major life changes, and to that extent it hasn’t disappointed.

Now what? Well, I’m doing some freelance/contract work that isn’t paying the bills, so I’m still looking for something full time and hopefully related to my field in some way. I’m also beginning my second novel, which is going to be huge and ambitious and a little terrifying to write, while hoping for some good news about the first one that I can’t discuss yet. I’ve submitted two novellas and a novelette to major spec-fic markets. Meanwhile, household medical issues continue; my braces came off this year as well (in April), bringing with it the unfortunate fallout of gum disease, periodontal treatment, and trips to the dentist every three months instead of six.

Yesterday we looked at a house for the first time. It was right next door so why not, and although it was a bit too much house for us (4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, a patio and a balcony) and about $250k out of our price range, I felt that much closer to our buying a house becoming a reality. It did have a great space for an office/library, which is on my must-have list. And exposed brick. And a Jacuzzi tub in the on-suite. Yeah, I probably would’ve bought it if I had the money. We’d just fill it with dogs.