Walking It Off
Well, it feels like I hit a home run to win the game, at least.
Writing
I finished NaNoWriMo yesterday before we even headed out to my mom’s for Thanksgiving. And I wrote even more words when we got home. And today I finished the first draft(for the second time) of Rounding for Home. I was starting to think this story was never going to end, and it’s a good bit different from the first version(same characters, same story problem, but a different path to the end). And I realized these characters might actually have two different stories to tell(this one was about them getting together, the other more along the lines of how they stay together, though I very much want to avoid melodramatic/jealousy/cheating type storylines).
That’s been my main focus, though I did start a side project featuring a couple side characters from Rounding for Home(only one of them showed up on the page, the other is mentioned), and I’ve been having fun with that.
And after a short break(a weekend, maybe a whole week, we’ll see), I’ll start the revision process. I’m going to try the process taught in the First Book Finish course, so the first step will be watching the videos that go along with that.
Reading
I think I’ve set aside more books this month than I ever have in such a short period of time. But, I did devour 2 audiobooks last week. 10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall and Dragged to the Wedding by Andrew Gray. Both are m/m romances(I think both would fit rom-com status as well, the first definitely).
Crafting
I finished the ‘genderfluid and proud’ cross stitch and switched over to crochet for the rest of the month. I’m about halfway finished with the omnisexual pride whale now.
Story
I skipped this in the last update, and I don’t have a new full story to share. But, I do have the first scene from the new side project I’ve started. This takes place about 10 months before the beginning of Rounding for Home(Brock shows up in this scene, and he’s one of the main characters of the novel). I haven’t done any editing yet(except for a typo I found), but I hope you’ll enjoy it(I may continue to share as I work on it).
Todd Ludo put his hands on his hips and looked around the yard. It was still a mess. How was he ever going to have this ready before people started showing up? Why had he even thought this a good idea?
“Sure, I’ll host the team’s Memorial Day picnic this year. It won’t be a problem. We’ve got the backyard for it.”
He kicked at the edge of the wooden picnic table. He was pretty sure this had been here before he and Brock had even moved in. It was rotting out now, and probably a danger for anyone to sit on. And he was going to have to mow underneath it. Unless he could get it moved to the fence.
What did Brock’s brothers do when they moved this back here?
Or whoever they got to do it. Well, Todd was not calling them to help.
He was sure if Brock’s father, aka their landlord, found out students from the alternative school where Todd taught were going to be here…well, he didn’t want to think about how the deacon would react.
This was probably a mistake. And for more reason than one. What had he been thinking?
“Everything okay out here?”
Todd glanced over. “Oh, good. I wasn’t sure you were gonna make it. Can you help me move this thing?”
Brock cast the picnic table a sideways glance. “Sure we can’t just burn it?”
Todd let out a rough laugh. “Maybe if I didn’t only have two hours before everyone is supposed to get here. And I need to cut this grass down. Where are we even going to put all the food?”
“Didn’t you tell everyone to bring chairs?”
“Well, yes, but that still doesn’t help with the food situation.”
“We have counter space inside. Have them make plates in there and then come out here to eat. It really won’t be that bad.”
Brock helped him move the picnic table, even though Todd was pretty sure he heard one of the boards crack. Well, that was something they’d have to deal with later. He started toward the shed but Brock put a hand on his shoulder. “Go get ready. I’ll mow, then I’m going to go over to Sue’s new place.”
“What? I thought you were staying.”
Brock shook his head. “You don’t need me here.”
“But, these kids, they’ll want to meet you. To know someone like them can make it in the sports world.”
“I’m not like them,” Brock said.
“Oh, please do not tell me you’re trying to go back in the closet. I know that’s what your dad thinks you need to do, but there is nothing wrong with the way you are.”
Brock sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not in any closet, Todd. Just because I don’t act on my attractions around here–”
“Yeah, yeah.” They’d had that argument before. And he’d never been able to convince Brock he wasn’t doing more than living half a life. “Whatever. Fine. You can go, though. I’ll mow. I’m the one that volunteered our place for this.”
Brock shook his head. “Then, you’ll still have to clean up. Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
Todd could have kept arguing, but he wasn’t really sure what the point was. So, he left his roommate to it and went into the house. He’d need to clear the counters and table off if they were going to use them for food. Then, a shower, clean clothes, and he could start greeting guests.
He could do this. He could definitely do this.