PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 3, 2026

How last week felt to me.

 In all honesty, the only way this past week could have been any worse was if it was composed entirely of Mondays.

From the last Progress Report to this one, I only managed to proofread another 3/THREE pages in the manuscript for HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE'S prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES.

There was just so much to do in regards to housework, chores, errands and other tasks that it's a small wonder I managed to complete THE WEEK IN REVIEW for The Free Choice E-zine.

How I should look at adversity.

It also didn't help my mood that the Boston Red Sox were knocked out of the first round of the Wild Card⚾ playoffs by those {censored} New York Yankees.

And for the topper, the magazine that I sent the HUGH MONN short story "Dineena's Dilemma" to sent me a brief form rejection email only stating that my submission "didn't fit their present needs", whatever those are.

Well, there are other magazines.

There's always next season for the Red Sox.

And a new week is upon me.

So with that in mind I better get back to writing proof reading now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

4 October, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 3, 2023

 Can you believe we're already a few days into the sixth month of 2023? 😲

Seems like the new year just started yesterday.

Outside my window right now. Gene Kelly not included. 😉

Especially considering how miserable the weather is outside at the moment.

ANYWAY...

About to start Chapter 23 of SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA as the manuscript cruises into the 34,000+ word range.

While I certainly didn't get as much writing time as I would have liked to, a subject previously discussed in past Progress Reports trying to balance writing with everyday life, I am making the most of what writing time I have when I do have it.

Okay, that last sentence may be a bit convoluted even for me, but you get the idea.

There are only so many hours in any given day and so much life one has to live.

Household responsibilities, appointments, errands, etcetera, along with eating healthy and sleeping regularly.

Those last two are especially important for all living beings.

Including those like me with a heart or other medical condition.

But getting back to the book in progress.

Like its predecessor, SOLITAIRE 2's average chapter is about 1500 words long.

Some are more, a few a tad less, but it all works out in the end to create a real page turner of another action adventure thriller featuring the title character.

Someone who I will definitely talk about more when SOLITAIRE, BOOK 1 (no subtitle) is released later this year by Airship 27.

So I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

4 June, 2023

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Well folks,  as I celebrate the 150th post on this blog, another interesting week has passed for me.

Was actually going pretty good until a water line came loose in the basement, instantly making that area an indoor pool and, considering how cold it was outside at the time, I temporarily had to join the Polar Bear Club if I wanted to fix it.

Shut off the water. Reattach the disconnected section because the pressure caused it to work loose. Reattach everything else. Turn the water back on and be thankful I got it right the first time.

Gene Kelly at his finest!

All the while trying to stay warm while thinking that under better circumstances, I could have restaged the title number from Singin' In The Rain.
Fun. Fun. Fun. (Note the sarcasm.)

Yet, I did manage to get some serious work done too.
There are only five chapters left to proofread on PROJECT ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON!
Have pared my word count down from 71,041 words to 69,792 words; making the manuscript 1249 words leaner and better.

Barring anything unforeseen, like I plan all these <censored> interruptions to begin with, I SHOULD have the rest of the novel gone over this week before sending it to my friendly neighborhood beta/proofreader for her final pass.
HOPEFULLY I will be totally done and on to other projects by Saint Patrick's Day.
Then it will just be a question of when Pro Se Press publishes and releases it.
In the meantime, have a great week, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
21 February, 2016