PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 7, 2022

Well, although I will still have to stop at some point and make my second pass on the SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL before I send it to My Friendly Neighborhood Beta-Proofreader if she ever gets an opening in her busy schedule, I have started work anew on what will eventually become the second novel in the SOLITAIRE series! 😀

Or in other words, I've finally come up with an alternate plot!

Despite what Harlan Ellison always told people, there is no man in Schenectady, New York, USA that you can buy ideas from.💡🚫

Then again, I've also heard that ideas come from the ether and are brought by the Ether Bunny.🐰😉

But the truth is that regardless of how they materialize, ideas are products of the imagination.

Everyone's works differently, which is part of what contributes to such wide and varied titles within any given genre, let alone having such a vast plethora of genres to begin with.

But before I close this week's PROGRESS REPORT, although I lost mine back in 2017, I hope that those who could have enjoyed a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY with their maternal parent(s).

In any event take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

8 May, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 30, 2022

Here we are at the beginning of a brand new month and I'll be the first to admit that I'm kind of stalled.

Last week I wrote that I was well into Chapter 3 of what will eventually be SOLITAIRE 2 and 4,500+ words into the manuscript.

Well...

Somewhere along the way I've missed the proverbial Left Turn At Albuquerque. 🐰

The main plot is okay but the subplot seems to be lacking something, and I'm not quite sure what is missing at the moment.

Hey, it happens.

In any event I've been going back over the first three Chapters from scratch and must be doing something write right this time because while I originally ended at 5,700+ words, I've already broken 6,000 and still haven't finished my personal review of Chapter 1 yet! 😲

So while it may not be how I originally envisioned it, there IS progress this week.

All that, and I've got a busy week ahead on both the personal front AND I still have to stop at some point and do my second pass of the SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL before I can send it on to My Friendly Neighborhood Beta-Proofreader for her review!

Which means I better get back to it now so with that in mind...

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

1 May, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2022

Although I wrote every chance I got, afraid I haven't managed to accomplish much on SOLITAIRE 2 this past week due to personal and family matters.

What I do have is pretty good so far, but Chapter 2 isn't finished yet.

And of course at some point I still need to pause everything and start my second pass on the SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL so I can send it on to My Friendly Neighborhood Beta-Proofreader for her review once there's an opening in her busy schedule.

In any event not much writing beyond my blogging commitments is going to be accomplished today since it is Easter!

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

I'll see you around the Internet.

AND HAPPY EASTER!

Lee Houston, Junior

17 April, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 2, 2022

 OKAY, GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS TIME...

GOOD NEWS😀

I have started work on what will eventually become SOLITAIRE 2. Am currently over 1,300 words in the opening chapter.

BAD NEWS😟

My Friendly Neighborhood Beta Proofreader is unavailable at this time to go over my SCIENCE FICTION manuscript because she has too much on her own agenda right now.

SO...

I will keep working on SOLITAIRE 2 until I've finished transcribing all my original notes, and you'd think I of all people would be able to read my own handwriting😲, then if MFNBP is still busy, I will make a second pass myself over the SCI-FI manuscript BEFORE she reads it.

WHY?

Because I'm committed to creating the best possible writing one human being can produce for another to read.

EITHER WAY it's going to be an interesting week ahead so I better get back to it now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

3 April, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 26, 2022

I am ALMOST finished with my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL! 😎

All I lack at this point is the Epilog to have completed the first draft.

Of course then it goes on to My Friendly Neighborhood Beta-Proofreader for a thorough review and then I need to make my edits afterward before submitting it to a potential publisher, but that's (somewhat) easier than trying to create a manuscript from scratch.

And in-between the end of my initial writing and waiting for the manuscript to come back, I'll be starting work on what will eventually become SOLITAIRE 2.

No subtitle yet (the first was/is just simply called SOLITAIRE), but I do have the first couple of chapters handwritten out and the basic idea of what I want to do in this sequel.

I know it may seem kind of strange to some to start working on a second novel in a series when the first hasn't even been published yet, but between how long it took to write the first book and the fact that novels don't write themselves, I certainly don't want to rest on my laurels or my hardys. 😉

So on that note♫ take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

27 March, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2022

 As you can see by the image on the right, I am getting closer to finishing my ANTHOLOGY STORY.

I'm 7,200+ words into it at the moment with a projected finish of the low 8,000s out of a 10,000 word maximum.

As usual, I wish I could say more but until I'm told it's okay to do so...

Afterward I still plan to finish my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL. I left off still needing the penultimate chapter and the Epilog when I started working on my ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSION.

After that, barring anything unforeseen, I will be starting what eventually will be SOLITAIRE 2.

All this, and I celebrate my SIXTYTH BIRTHDAY this Saturday! 🎂

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

27 February, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 29, 2022

As I mentioned last time, work on my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL is on hold until I complete the
ANTHOLOGY STORY I've been asked to write.

Other than the fact that I am a little over 1,000 words out of an 8 to 10,000 word goal; afraid I cannot say much more about it right now since I'm an invited guest to this project and honestly don't know at the moment what I can and can't say about it.

I did complete the chapter I was working on before starting the ANTHOLOGY STORY, which gives me 34 Chapters plus Prolog for a total of 63,000+ words.

HOWEVER, there was too much going on in 34 to make that the penultimate chapter. When I get back to the SCI-FI NOVEL, Chapter 35 will now have that distinction before I write the Epilog.

And there is still what will eventually become SOLITAIRE 2 waiting on the horizon after I finish all of the above.

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

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

30 January, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 22, 2022

On one hand, I truly am almost done with my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL.

Over 62,000+ words going into the penultimate (next to last) chapter as I post this.

Unfortunately, I have to pause finishing that for the moment because...

I have been asked to contribute to an upcoming anthology!😀

It's only an 8,000 to 10,000 word short story, but the request came from a friend so I will be concentrating on that until completion.

Obviously that not only delays creating the conclusion of the SCI-FI PROJECT, but starting what will eventually become SOLITAIRE 2 as well, but those don't have any actual deadlines attached.

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

23 January, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2022

"Are we there yet?"

Sometimes a running comedy gag, especially in scenes involving long trips, but in this case a poignant question concerning writing.

Novels take time to create and are long trips in themselves.

At the moment, I only lack finishing Chapter 34 (not counting the Prologue) and the Epilog to consider my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL complete.

Of course then it goes on to My Friendly Neighborhood Beta-Proofreader for her input/opinions/corrections.

After I get it back from her and go over what becomes the final version of the manuscript, THEN I send it on to a potential publisher.

But while I'm waiting on MFNBP to work her literary magic, I will start writing what will eventually become SOLITAIRE 2.

With that in mind I better get back to it.

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

16 January, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 8, 2022

I've broken 60,000+ words on the SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL and have the rest of the book planned out.

Am on Chapter 33, not counting the Prologue.

There will be a Chapter 34 and Epilog to conclude the novel, so the whole manuscript should come in around 65,000-ish.

With that in mind, I better get back to writing now because after this project, I will be starting what eventually becomes SOLITAIRE 2.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

9 January, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 1, 2022

Well, a new year is upon us and here's hoping it is FAR better than the last two! 😷

On the other hand, unfortunately I didn't get much writing done between Christmas🎄 and the start of 2022.

I did work on the SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL a little here and there, but am still in the middle of trying to create/finish the current chapter as I post this.

Other than a few potential personal errands that will need to be attended to at some point, this week is looking pretty good for potential writing.

2021 may not have been a good year for many people, including me, but after the heart operation and other health issues, I'M STILL HERE! 😀

AND I'M STILL WRITING! 😎

What more can a guy ask for?

In any event, I better get back to it.

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

2 January, 2022

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 18, 2021

♫CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE…

OH THAT WE COULD ALWAYS SEE

SUCH SPIRIT THROUGH THE YEAR.♫

From A Charlie Brown Christmas’ “Christmas Time Is Here”. Lyrics by Lee Mendelson.

I did manage to get some writing done last week.

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been really setting any speed records at the keyboard since I returned home from my heart operation, but at least I'm trying!

At the moment it's been far easier to blog between here and The Free Choice E-zine and work on my SCIENCE FICTION PROJECT than anything else. 31 complete chapters (not counting the Prologue) to date with over 57,000+ words, although most of the first 29 plus Prolog were done pre-hospital. I do have the concluding chapters and Epilog plotted, but am obviously far from finished yet.

Early projections for this coming week don't look too productive at the moment, but with good/important reason.

I have a major appointment with that Ear Specialist Tuesday to figure out what's causing my vertigo-dizziness-imbalance-whatever the heck it is and resolve the issue(s?).

And of course I still have to wrap gifts because I'm taking December 25th off to be with family, even if I have to do so virtually.

But what do I want for Christmas?

That's a question I have been repeatedly asked since Thanksgiving and while I'm sure those I'm close to will be giving me something, I already have the greatest gift one could ever ask for.

I'M STILL HERE! 😁💖

On that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

19 December, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 11, 2021

OF WRITING, COMMON SENSE, AND MONKEES.

Once again I have gotten some writing done.

After all, what else can I do while I convalesce after having heart surgery?

Seriously though, am past the 55,000+ word mark on my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL although I've found some better story details that will work out great in the long run so am rewriting the current chapter at the moment before I move on to the next one.

Who will see this when I'm done?

Good question.

I do have a publisher in mind for submitting it to once the manuscript is complete, but don't think that will be happening until the beginning of 2022.

Then I will probably start work on what will eventually become SOLITAIRE 2 unless something else comes up between now and then.

I could rant and rave about those who refuse to either get vaccinated and/or won't wear a mask in light of not only COVID in general but this new Omicron variant sweeping the globe.

I mean, it just makes common sense to me to do so.

After all, you wouldn't rush to fight a forest fire with nothing but S'mores fixings, would you?

Got clearance from my cardiologist to do so and, barring anything unforeseen, I WILL be getting my vaccination booster shot later this week.

Jones-Dolenz-Tork-Nesmith, circa 1966

Now then, I hate to close on a sad note♫, but we have recently lost Michael Nesmith of The Monkees.

Granted, he accomplished a lot more within his lifetime than that (like writing ♫Different Drum♫, producing Repo Man, and helping to pioneer what we know today as the music video), but being with The Monkees maybe what people will remember him most for.

I know I don't remember the TV show first run on NBC between 1966-1968, but I can recall watching The Monkees on CBS Saturday mornings in the fall of 1968 after The Archies.

Considering I was only 6 at the time, that was a fantastic musical line up for this member of the target audience of the day.

Both the intellectual and elusive member of the group, Nesmith didn't tour much during the big anniversary circuits until after Davy Jones' passing in 2012 when he reunited with the others first in Jones' memory, and then later with Micky Dolenz after the world lost Peter Tork in 2019.

I got to see the Trio (Dolenz-Jones-Tork) at a few concerts over the years but only caught Nesmith with them in videos of special events.

Some of you out there may not understand what I am getting at here, but it seems to me like the older you get, the more of your past one loses until there's nothing left but nostalgia and the memories.

In the end, I guess that's all any of us have.

At least they're fond ones.

In any event, take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

12 December, 2021                      ♫Weren't they good, they made me happy.♫

                           "Listen to the Band", Nesmith Monkees tune.
                         

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 4, 2021

I ACTUALLY GOT SOME WRITING DONE THIS PAST WEEK!

More work has been done on the SCI-FI novel!

Still far from finished, but I can see the end off in the distance.

Currently on Chapter 30 (not counting the Prologue) and about to break 55,000+ words.

Have Chapters 31, 32, 33 and the Epilogue plotted; although I'm not sure at this point how many more will be needed between those last two to cover everything in this novel.

Of course since I'm planning this as the opening installment of an ongoing series, not every plot point will be resolved by the end of the debut, but the first book will definitely not end with those dreaded words "To Be Continued".😉

I also have a rough start on what will eventually be SOLITAIRE 2!

It's only a few handwritten pages at the moment, along with sketches of important (fictitious) locales and a possible subtitle for the novel. 😁

Overall, this may not seem like much in the Cosmic Scheme of Things, but considering how my life has been since October, I consider it a major victory! 😎

ESPECIALLY since I still have to wait till the 21st to see that Ear Specialist and hopefully find out what the {cens*red} is going on with the vertigo-dizziness-imbalance-whatever the heck it is issue I've been having.

In any event, just sitting in a chair while using my computer doesn't seem to bother me.

Laying down and trying to get back up again later does, but that's another matter.

So, without further adieu...

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

5 December, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 20, 2021

 Okay. Have another double header PROGRESS REPORT for you this week,

so let's get right to it!

WRITING WISE...

Went back and seriously revised Chapter 28 of my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL, more than doubling the word count in the process!

Chapter 29 is in progress and Chapter 30 is planned.

Counting the Prologue and as yet unwritten Epilogue, how many chapters there will actually be remains to be seen, but I am approaching 53,000 words out of a 60,000 minimum requirement to be considered a novel.

SOLITIAIRE is pending at one publisher and I've gotten a request from another publisher to submit material for consideration!

Am I lucky to be "working" in a profession I love or what?😎

MEDICALLY...

Everything about the same health/heart wise at the moment.

Only around my armpits and slightly below them hurts chest wise post operation now. But while the pain is manageable, it is there and not fun!

The vertigo/dizziness/whatever it actually is issue seems to be confined to just either trying to lay down or getting up again at the moment. Once I'm either fully flat on my back to sleep or sitting/standing and up and about for the day, I'm fine. Otherwise...

Still wish my appointment with the Ear Specialist was sooner than December 21 so I can find out what's going on and get the issue(s) addressed/taken care of, but one step at a time.

In any event, that's how things are for me right now.

Hope you're doing good.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

For those celebrating: HAPPY THANKSGIVING THIS THURSDAY!

I know I've got a lot to be thankful for.

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

21 November, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 13, 2021

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS.

YES!

This IS an official PROGRESS REPORT because I did manage to get some actual writing done this past week!😀

I worked on what will eventually be the next chapter of my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL.

Counting the Prologue as 0, Chapter 28 got started (but remains unfinished as I post this) and I'm already well over 50,000+ words into the overall manuscript.

Unfortunately the work is slow for obvious reasons, hence not going back to tackle the more difficult SHERLOCK HOLMES SHORT STORY yet, but the fact that I got any writing done this past week at all is cause to celebrate because the medical news at best is mixed. 😕

Medically, everything is fine heart💓 wise.

However, and you knew there was one coming 😉, the earliest I could get an appointment to see an Ear Specialist to figure out what is going on in regards to my balance/vertigo/dizziness or whatever the actual problem is was DECEMBER 21!

That means that I am still not officially cleared to drive or do anything other than stay home and continue on the road to recovery the best I can.

At the moment it still only bothers me whenever I go to lay down or try to get up again, and thankfully some instances are less noticeable than others, if they pester me at all.

Yet the fact that I'm still having this issue to begin with is cause for concern.

The very first time (October 25) it was like trying to walk across the deck of a ship during a bad storm at sea.

Since then, instances are more like I'm trying to go in one direction while the rest of the world wants to head the opposite way.

I had one brief and totally unexpected episode November 3, but it passed after sitting down for a few minutes.

Every occurrence since then (so far) has just been of the getting in and out of bed variety.

Yet no matter when and of what variety, I have never been nauseous, experienced room spinning, no headache(s), no double or blurry vision, and I haven't fallen and/or lost consciousness either.

Guess I will just have to keep taking this one day at a time until I either get better or get answers.

With that in mind, take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet, because I still have to write Autumn "the Puppy's" Memorial for The Free Choice E-zine.

Lee Houston, Junior

14 November, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 2, 2021

It's time⌚ once again for my impersonation of a broken record.😉

Still working on my SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL.

In the middle of Chapter 28 (not counting the Prologue) and over 50,000+ words into the manuscript.

I do foresee the end in sight, but that's at least another 10,000 words away and I still have things to accomplish before reaching that point.

Granted, with this being the first installment of what will hopefully be a long running series, not all the questions will be answered. Otherwise, why would you need to read book 2? 😶

On the other hand, there will be a complete story that leaves you wanting more. If there wasn't, then I would have failed as a writer.

With that in mind I better get back to it.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

3 October, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

What can I say?

Sometimes the words come fast and furious. Other times it's more like the drip of a leaky faucet. They're there, but not at the rate/progress you'd prefer.

Basically, what the above boils down to is that while I'm still on the SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL, I'm not as far along as I would like to be.

I am blazing new trails on a new chapter and about to break the 50,000+ word mark though.

Wish I had more to say, but at least I'm writing.

Take care.
STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

26 September, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

WELL...

Technically I'm still stalled on SHERLOCK HOLMES.

I know WHAT I want to do, just not how to get to the next major plot point in the story.

But I'm doing great on the SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL! 😀😎

Finished reviewing all the material I had previously written.

Added some more details here and there before moving on into the unknown both figuratively and literally.

Am now on Chapter 27 (not counting the Prologue) and have broken the 49,000+ word mark on this project.

Not sure what the final Chapter (counting the eventual Epilog) and word count will be but sometimes that's part of the fun of being a writer when even you're surprised how things turn out! 😉

Thankfully there's no deadlines on either but in any event I better get back to it now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

19 September, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

My muse

For some reason, my muse seems strangely silent on SHERLOCK HOLMES this past week, preferring instead to concentrate her wisdom and advice on the SCI-FI PROJECT.

I'm going back over the last couple of completed chapters to that manuscript now and wondering where I missed the proverbial left turn in Albuquerque, for something seems off about them to me.

When I have them fixed, I'll pick up where I left off on the novel unless she decides to speak to me about the doings in and around 221B Baker Street again.

Either way, at least I'm writing!

In any event, take care.

STAY SAFE!😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

12 September, 2021