Wowza! Oh, and California, too.

That Japanese monster hunter tale I submitted back on the 14th gave me a real surprise. The website said to allow three months before querying, so I had that written into my spreadsheet and fully expected that time frame before knowing whether they liked it or rejected it.

And I got an acceptance email in two days. Which means I am officially going to be a published author. Can I scream now?!

I sent the contract in last week. I think I'm still in shock. I think I will continue to be in shock until I see it in the printed anthology. And then it will just morph into a different sort of shock.

Right now I'm writing this from California, using my parents' computer. The sun is shining outside the window, quite a change from the single digit temps and gusty winds of home, or so I've been hearing. When I first arrived in California and my best buddies picked me up, it was raining hard. That turned to snow by the time I was walking up the driveway to my parents' house. Dad met me halfway and I said, "Look what I brought with me, Dad!"

Very early spring here is like summer in Alaska. The difference is amazing.

I brought a notebook with me in my backpack. I wasn't able to bring much because you no longer get a free checked bag on the airplanes anymore. The first bag costs $25 to check, so I just brought what I could fit into my backpack and my guitar. That means I'm now behind in my Write 1 Sub 1 process, but I haven't stopped writing completely. I began plotting another story in my notebook last night, and wrote the first scene today.

I'd forgotten how quickly the hand starts to hurt when one is used to typing on a computer keyboard as opposed to handwriting.

I also miss my Scrivener program, where all the formatting is done for me, there are files for research, word count, and a bunch of other things.

But the nice thing about the notebook is that it's just you and the pen. No computer distractions, like Internet or games. The story seems more vibrant written that way for some reason.

By the time I get back, I will be behind a story and two submissions, but I plan on catching up very quick. Publication is quite a motivation when you get your first taste of it. I have no idea when the anthology is coming out, but I'm practically screaming with impatience.

Oh, wait, no I'm not. I'm acting very professional and serious.

I think I better go eat another piece of cheesecake ...