So, what are you gonna do?

My Creative Writing I class comes to an end on Tuesday next. A good group of writers ready to push on into the world of the written word.

So, what am I gonna do?

It will be a while before the next class starts but I will be busy. Here is a bit of an insight as to what I'm doing with my spare time. Excluded from the list below are all of the normal things that have to be done like cutting down that dead tree, trimming other bushes and trees, watering the tomatoes including one I planted upside down ... in my own homemade upside down tomato planter. Okay, so besides all the chore things, lets focus on the creative part. All of the following have to be done, at least to some degree, before December 15th. What is this, um, July 3rd. (July 3rd? Why in the hell aren't I working on one of them? Dumb ass.)

I am currently writing a 'based on real life' story of Philip Gans, a holocaust survivor. I would love to sit down with him and fill in all the blanks but Phil lives in Florida and I don't. I have assembled a basic synopsis. As I write, I come up with something that needs answering. I email Phil...and then I have to wait because Phil is a busy guy traveling around telling people about his experience under the Nazi Eagle. I hope I can do his story justice. Initial three chapters due before autumn.

My picture book publisher, Pelican, has hired me to illustrate a tale about Hannukah for another author. Initial sketches are being made. Final art due: December 15.

An opportunity to write a young adult novel has landed on my desk. I have to submit a couple of sample chapters before the end of August which is, like, almost fall. The good news on this one is that it is unlikely that the completed story will have to be done before the end of the year, but in this business you never know. Never I tells ya.

Eiteljorg Museum holds an auction each year called the Buckaroo Bash. They ask local folks to decorate items, usually cowboy hats. This year they are going to try something different - stick ponies. I am going to be dolling one up. I'll post pics here and on my website. If you would like to see last year's effort, click here: http://www.peterjwelling.com/buckaroo.html

Now, focusing on the non-artsy stuff. I am a member of the Selective Service Board for Indianapolis. Appointed by the governor no less. For a second time. Make sure your sons register. It's still the law. But I digress. In order to serve, we have to take training and tests from time to time. It's time. The package sits there, waiting. And yeah, it's due soon as well.

That's my schedule for the next five months. That's what I'm gonna do. Now the question is, what are you gonna do?

Happy Fourth of July. I'll bet, based on sixty plus years of experience, that there will be a lot of tales that could be told about tomorrow. Bring your notebooks.