Entry #5, Productive Procrastination

Bit of a roller coaster this past week, if I'm being honest. Not for the first time, I find myself enjoying a few breakthroughs and opportunities while also struggling to complete any of my projects or feel good about the amount of work I've done overall, lately and in life.

On the one hand, I've yet to complete a satisfying ending for that damned "The Wyrm Fighter" story. Don't get me wrong, I've completed a few attempts, but nothing yet has landed with the clarity and heft I'm looking for. I've come up with a longer final scene that I believe is trudging along in the right direction, so hopefully this week I can finish it. But not having it already done and submitted is certainly preying on my insecurities as a writer and adult human. Today, I got a flat tire and (unrelated) had to pay some medical expenses, so maybe karma will deem me fit for whatever paltry good luck it can manage in the writing department for a wee little while.

One can hope.

On the other hand, a friend of mine has relaunched her literary magazine and asked me if I had anything for it, so I'm avoiding all current responsibilities (shocker) to try to hammer out something for her. It's at least given me an opportunity to explore a story idea I've had ever since my bachelor's thesis, so that's something. If I can finish it in a timely manner (ha!) and complete "The Wyrm Fighter," I might actually start to feel once more like a real writer again!

Again, one can hope.

Lastly in writing news: this middle-aged nerd has band practice Saturday. Legend has it we're going to try out a new song or two. My offering will likely be an old song we never got around to recording back in the day, and I'm working on changing the lyrics to address our glorious nation's health care crisis. I've found that writing songs is an excellent way to get me in the mood to write fiction (and vice versa), and I certainly feel better when I'm working on multiple projects, news which would surprise absolutely no one with even passing knowledge of my work habits. So perhaps these endeavors will form a wave that lifts all creative ships.

Say it with me: one can hope.

And with that last rosy outlook, it's time to work on a short story or two, then maybe catch a beer with a friend or two. Worse ways to spend an evening, I suppose.

Until next time…

All Best, Always.

Gunnar

10/14/26