Random Thoughts On A Monday Morning

 
On my way out the door last Friday I brought home some reading material. The one in the foreground employs writers whose writing skills suggest they're not there for the money but for a work history entry on a resume. The content is questionable at best, and unless you need to hire someone to fix your AC its not even suitable to read in the bathroom. 

The Coachella Valley Independent broke my heart. Within its pages it alerted me I missed the San Diego Reader's final print issue, and now it's all digital. I used to pick up the Reader at 7-11 religiously every Thursday when I was younger. It was the go to source for nightlife in America's Costliest City, but now with advanced technology and changing interests it has now shifted to digital only. I already miss seeing those 4" x 3" ads telling me who's appearing where.

The Independent also had an article on the uptick in LGBTQ+ hate crimes in the valley, including within Palm Springs. But I wasn't saddened for long. I also read the community's response. No one there is putting up with that shit, and the same could be said for the other cities that make up Coachella Valley.

This is another reason why I'm keeping this place on my radar in case I ever move away from my hometown.

***

I supposed I should give y'all a writing update, so here it is. Yesterday I completed Chapter 8, and today is a rest day. I would estimate my novel is just under 20% complete. Based on the average word count per chapter the first draft should be about 55,000 words, barely under the threshold of what many consider a proper novel.

I'm not worried. This is a great problem to fix.

My writing has greatly improved. I'm saying the same things but with fewer words, which is a huge plus. When I work on the second draft, I'll need to add sensory details here and there to beef up a setting, dialogue or an emotion one of the characters feels. That should take the manuscript over the 60,000 word hump, necessary if I want to get it published as a novel.

My best guess is I'll have this first draft completed by May Day, but we'll see what happens.

***

In three weeks I have another four day getaway booked for Temecula Valley Wine Country, and I'm already coming up with a foodie itinerary in my head. 

The free breakfast at SpringHill Suites there is free and worthy of a tip, so I only need to worry about lunch and dinner. The plan is to arrive in town for lunch on a Tuesday, and after I check out of the hotel on Friday eat lunch there before I drive home.

That's seven meals in four days. Meritage, Wahoo's and the Old Town Pub & Grub are already on the list, so the search for four more places to dine at is on!