Drum roll please

Well here we are and I am glad to say I’ve Done it. I’ve completed my challenge tonight with thirty one short stories in thirty one days.
But what’s more, I confess to being a procrastinator and admit to having done almost two thirds of that total in the last week. I know and believe me I’m sorry for that little foible of mine that made that happen. I look back at it and really wonder that if in the last week I could do two days of more than seven thousand words each, what could I have done with that kind of effort from the start.
But I have done what I said I would and I have over the course of thirty one days written thirty one short stories… weeeell that’s not exactly true. On a whim I wrote a little story that I just finished to post on here for you all. It is story number thirty two (32). I don’t know that it’s spectacular but I sort of like it. It’s new and just came off the top of my head. Ideally with the rest of them I will be editing them and redrafting, which I won’t with this one. So be forgiving. Also be polite and don’t reprint the story without my permission, if you are interested just send me a comment or e-mail and we’ll talk about it.
So the thirty second story will be a part of the closing ceremonies. I will do what I can to post it after midnight so that it marks the first post of a new month.
One of the other things to share with you all is the fact that on my way here today I paid a visit to a place that did something for me that was a long time coming. I’ve had my first hair cut in over five years, we cut nearly a foot off and I’ll be sending that ponytail to locks of love. The Hair Dresser who cut my hair said that she just knew some little girl was going to love having those lovely curls. I hope she’s right. There is a part of me that really would love to see that moment. I hope it makes somebody feel even a tiny bit better.
I’ve had an interesting and wild ride this month and it still puzzles me to think back and realize that this has all taken place in the time frame of one month.
From the great convention of connecticon, where I ran and attended panels almost the whole time and spent spare moments talking with the greatest people, to getting inspired and creative at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s fair. Drawing Hand drawn mazes each night and finding homes for some of my old books at yard sales. Donating hair to somebody I have never met. writing 31 short stories in thirty one days, to test my limits, build a portfolio of work to try and sell, create universes that will be playgrounds for my mind, and all geared towards benefitting the good people at Child and Family Services of New Hampshire (you can still donate until the end of September so don’t despair).
I’ve made minor inroads to some of the things on my master list and can’t wait to finish that list and new novels by the end of November so that I can start forward on a whole new year of goals and adventures.
Really I feel amazed that looking back only one month has passed. I feel like it’s been a whole season at least. And if I can live a quarter of a year in a month’s time, how many lives can I live?
Thank you for joining me on this month long quest and hopefully you won’t wander off and miss what happens next. It’s sure to be at least in some part crazy and fun.
I’ve no idea for sure but I suspect that I will be sleeping through a good portion of tomorrow, and maybe Tuesday as well. But fear not I shall return by Wodens day (that’s Wednesday to most of you out there) and have something to talk about, even if it is just the comedown from this wild ride of a month.
Until then, take care of yourselves.
Roving Jack