PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 30, 2024

 Work is proceeding well on "Operation Colossus", my short story submission for Robert J. Mendenhall's third volume in his CODE NAME INTREPID CONFIDENTIAL anthology series.

I've broken the 5,000 word mark.

The submission has to be at least 7,500 words minimum but not over 10,000 maximum.

While I can't predict an exact finish at the moment, my tale will conclude somewhere within the two extremes.

In the meantime, for those celebrating today...

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

Enjoy the day with family and friends, and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

31 March, 2024

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 23, 2024

 Even though I'm still dealing with {REDACTED} on the personal front, work is proceeding apace on "Operation Colossus", my contribution to Robert J. Mendenhall's next CODE NAME INTREPID CONFIDENTIAL anthology.

Volume 2 is due out at any moment, if it hasn't already been released and my tale will be in Volume 3, scheduled for release later this year.

As previously mentioned, the series is like Kolchak: The Night Stalker meets The X-Files in a pre-World War 2 setting where an elite multi-branch military group encounters the "weird and unexplained" while trying to stop a dedicated unit of Axis soldiers from gathering anything they can to help the Third Reich rule the world.

At this point the team knows basically what they are up against in the adventure, just not all the whys and wherefores yet, let alone how to neutralize the threat.

Now then, I've previously discussed how some think that writing is an easy task compared to other jobs. While it's not as physically demanding as some occupations, it is a long term mental exercise between developing plots, doing the research to have background material and details accurate—especially in any story not set in the present—coming up with the right words to tell your story in a clear and precise, let alone entertaining manner.

Yet some also think the life of a writer is all fame, fortune, and glamour.

WRONG!

We have our ups and downs, along with other problems just like every other human being in this world.

I do all my own laundry, cooking, cleaning and errands, along with all the rest of the housework and chores —let alone surprises and outright emergencies—that arise on a daily basis.

Because of my heart condition and age, having recently turned 62, I am now up to 11 pills in the morning and 3 before bedtime.

Yet despite all the hassles at times, I am VERY Happy and fortunate to still be alive and kicking.

Life may be what happens while you're busy making other plans, but it sure beats the alternative.

In any event, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

24 March, 2024

PROGESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 16, 2024

 Work proceeds apace on my CODE NAME INTREPRID story for Robert J. Mendenhall's third volume of his CONFIDENTIAL anthology, collecting adventures from other writers.

My working title for the adventure featuring a pre-World War 2 multi-military task force investigating the "strange and unusual" while trying to stop a group of Axis soldiers dedicated to finding anything Germany might be able to use in hopes of bringing the world under control of their pending Third Reich is "OPERATION COLOSSUS".

The reason why is quite interesting and will be revealed when Volume Three is released this fall.

Considering today is March 17, HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY TO ONE AND ALL. 🍀

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

17 March, 2024

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 9, 2024

 Things are finally starting to get back to "normal".

Whatever that is.

While my actual writing time is still a bit limited at the moment, especially dealing with that ongoing/private family matter via long distance; at least I AM writing! 😀😎

My CODE NAME INTREPID story for Robert J. Mendenhall's CONFIDENTIAL anthology series is going well, although I haven't broken the 4,000 word mark yet.

For those who came in late, the submission has to be between 7,500 and 10,000 words maximum, featuring Mendenhall's team of multiple military branch representatives united together to investigate the "unusual" and stop would-be world dictator Adolph Hitler's soldiers from gathering any possible supernatural or otherworldly weapon that might aid his cause.

There's also lots of research involved in a pre-World War 2 story, especially considering I'm a civilian who wasn't born until 1962. In fact, I celebrated my 62nd birthday last week!🤯🎂

I definitely have to agree with Garth Brooks on the fact that ♫I'm much too young to feel this damn old.♫

Then again, although they have taken a collective toll on my overall health; considering that I have survived two different bouts of pneumonia, congestive heart failure, an aortic aneurysm, a second heart operation to replace a failing part from repairing the aneurysm and a bout of COVID—which I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy!—I AM VERY THANKFUL to still be around! 😁

I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

10 March, 2024

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 2, 2024

 "Prepare for trouble." "And make it double!"—Team Rocket's (in)famous Pokemon intro.

Still trying to remotely deal with some Texas based family issues from my neck of the woods in the
"wilds" of New England right now. But that's a personal matter, so I won't be expanding any further on that subject at this time.

Otherwise, working on my CODE NAME: INTREPID CONFIDENTIAL story for Robert J. Mendenhall when I can. Haven't put too many words on it overall since the last Progress Report, but at least I do have a story title now. Since I started on this project before 2024 began, I'm not worried about making the June 1 deadline. Yet I'm certainly not resting on my laurels, or my Hardys either. 😉

Most of the time I write because it's my creative expression outlet.

I "paint" with words. Creating scenes, stories, and whole books about people, places and adventures that most of us can only dream about at best.

Then there are other times like right now when writing can be therapeutic by taking your mind off your troubles for awhile and giving you a much needed break.

Which could be why a lot of writers started out and still are avid readers.

I know I am.

In any event, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

3 March, 2024