I’m just about to dive into the 21st chapter of my next – and sixth – novel, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which is a few paragraphs shy of 50,000 words in its first draft. Italics will be added when it’s published. But first! A warm-up. La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lah! Get the old digits cranking like pistons! My urgency …
Author: wastedpilgrim
I'm a writer.
Blogs. Novels. Journalism. Songs.
It's all I know how to do well.
Political Correctness
It's nothing new. It's why prisons are called "correctional" institutions. It's why toilets are located in "restrooms." It's why a 24-year-old is "a senior writer," and why people become senior, associate, assistant, consultant and undersecretary. In lieu of a raise, of course. People say Blazing Saddles couldn't be made nowadays. Yet A Million Ways to …
The Result of the Roads
My next novel, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, is now above the 46,000-word mark. I worked on the 18th chapter during parts of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. This morning I updated the outline, which is now nearly 13,000 words on its own. Updating ranks right up there with paying bills and trimming the branches of trees …
Mister Trump Goes to Washington
It was a long week. Most of Tuesday was a sinking feeling. Wednesday was two lines from The Bridge on the River Kwai. My God, what have I done? Madness. Madness! Most of the time since, I’ve been numb. Playing a few mournful songs on guitar. Washing dishes, or bagging trash, or folding clothes, partly …
The System Works Too Well
At least a dozen people today have told me they’re glad it’s about to be over, but it won’t be. The division of this country is at its peak. It won’t just stop when a president is determined. Oh, no. The losers are going to try to get the winners impeached. Maybe I’ve just been …
Cowboys at Warp Speed
Every day has its ups and downs. Okay, not every day. It seems as if mine are seldom mediocre. Either everything goes right, or vice-versa. This one has gone wildly erratic. Let’s highlight the positive, though. My fifth novel, first western and second historical, is impending. Today I approved the proof. I’m delighted with the …
Futility Is Necessary and Inevitable
I don’t know whether it’s depressing because it really is or because I’m getting old and cranky. Perhaps I’m just starting to suspect that my labors have all been in vain. So little of what I wanted to achieve in life is done. Every day is a new day, but the passage of each pushes …
I Need Insight More Than My Site
As you may have noticed – I hope someone, preferably hundreds, has noticed, but I can’t prove it – my other blog site, montedutton.com, is down. It’s been down for about a week. Three or four times, I’ve tried to fix it, but I haven’t had the time or inclination yet to sit on hold …
Tucked Safely Away
The Boston Red Sox are no more. The third game was the only one I saw. Games one and two occurred while I was writing about high school football games. Monday night was excruciating, as games tend to be when one’s favorite team is eliminated. On Tuesday, I watched the remaining baseball. The …
Based on Them
A hurricane is headed toward the coast, though, at the moment, it doesn’t appear as if it’s going to get too bad here in the Upstate. It looks like I’ll be writing about a high school football game on Thursday and Friday nights. I’ve been switching the TV back and forth between weather and politics …
Nightrider's Lament 