What can I say...I'm a slug.

It's been weird this last couple of weeks. I had surgery on the 12th and the very same morning my cat died. My husband and I had her for 14 years. She was two when we got her, so she was kind of long in the tooth for a kitty. Very much loved though. So, on top of trying to heal and mend my owwies, I had to mourn a good friend who used to come in my office with me while I wrote and took up her post either on my feet or on the back of the recliner behind me. I swear I still see her running around the house and in the evenings I can hear the distinct sound of her grooming her paws. Living without her will be a huge adjustment for both Dave and I, but we've agreed to take a break from pets for a while. The pain is just too fresh to jump in anytime soon.

As you can see from my profile, I got the beautiful cover art for my Dragon Tamer story. It's so awesome. I'm very lucky. I'm still wondering what the concept for the anthology cover will look like, but I'm sure it will be wonderful. I think the same artist is scheduled to do that cover that did DT.

I'm gearing up to send something in to the Brava novella contest. I really have no idea one way or the other how my story will be received, but I'm going with my strengths while writing this and we'll see. Hopefully, I'll make a good showing. I just plan to write the best story I can and then wait to hear.

I also entered something in the Cobblestone Press Vampire Oracle contest. My wonderful crit partner and friend Antonia told me about it and I read the card descriptions and was very intrigued by the idea. Immediately upon reading the Tomb card, I had a story idea running through my head. I knew my heroine immediately and when you're hit with a bolt of inspiration lightning like that, well, you just gotta write the story. I don't think I'll hear on that one until the last few weeks of August. So, putting that on the calendar to start watching for around that time.

It's really difficult to write and plan while recouperating from surgery. Honestly, I thought I'd be 100% a lot sooner than I was. I'm still kind of pained, but at least I'm getting around well and not dizzy like I was at 5 days out. That anathesia really did a number on me. I'm just not used to not being able to push myself at the computer and sit for long hours writing. Ughhhhh...I got so behind. Hopefully I'll write myself out of this TBW (to be written) quagmire I've found myself in.

Well, I'm off. I have a date with the new Harry Potter book.

-Kat