Happy Friday, everyone! The first issue of Speculations is live! You can view the newsletter archive here, and use the form in the sidebar on this page to subscribe. This issue includes the cutest tiny crabs in the world.

The other day I started brainstorming a short story, trying to come up with a fun scifi or fantasy setting to channel my general state of grumpiness about the wedding. That evolved into a piece of ancient history in my science fiction horror universe about zombies and sentient snails. This is what I love about writing.

I’m also pleased that my brain is back in that universe, as I have a zero draft of the trilogy I want to get back to. I’m a bit stuck on the action scene, but that has forced me to explore and develop the origins of the zombies. I’m having fun.

This article I found on Joanna Penn’s website has been useful: 10 Tips For Writing Short Stories.

I’m looking for the courage and determination to spend another day shopping for a dress to wear to the wedding. If I don’t find something today, I’ll just order something off of ModCloth. Still trying not to bite off the heads of everyone who thinks they have useful suggestions. I appreciate and am grateful for my friends, but again, I am deeply disturbed by the obsession everyone else has with what I’m going to wear.

via GIPHY

I ordered a mountain of ribbon and tulle and other craft supplies for decorations yesterday. That’s both exciting and intimidating. I have vague plans for most of the stuff, but some of it will be improvised on the day of.

It’s 10:30 in the morning and I still haven’t had breakfast or coffee. This does not bode well for the rest of the day.