Did something today I don't normally do. About halfway through the afternoon, I just did NOT want to be at work. Nope, had a lull and just didn't want to sit there staring at the computer screen for no reason, so I punched out. I can make up the time between now and the end of the month OR I can take two hours leave if I choose not to, but all I knew is, I wanted out now.

Actually left while the sun was up for once. That was a nice feeling.

Grabbed a small bite and headed toward one of my favorite shops, The Crystal Fox. It's a "new age" store, but they have a great selection of mythology books. I spotted a Celtic Mythology book I don't have as well as a Germanic folklore book I'm going to go back and get after payday. Plus, I treated myself to a few D&D books I didn't have in my collection. Hey, I've been a gamer since 1979, no reason to quit now. *grin*

It was just relaxing to do whatever the heck I wanted to do.

Knocked out Chapter Seven in the Steel on Target rewrite tonight. Took a little longer than I thought, but it seems this chapter is one of the longer ones I've finished so far. Cut another 500 words out of the manuscript and caught a continuity error, so I'm pretty happy with the effort.

(Insert sarcasm alert here) I love how people swear they can't cut anything out of their 240,000 word manuscript because it's already as tight as it can get. (end sarcasm alert)

If you can't find anything to cut out a document, you're not trying. I'm probably going to throw three chapters out of Steel on Target or at least condense them into one early next week. Do I like those chapters? Oh, hell yes. BUT, they don't force the plot forward. They're great characterization chapters and really bring some insight to my characters, but I think I can work those points into some new chapters that drive the story forward.

Definitely trying to avoid "flabby middle of book" syndrome.

Now to read a couple of web comics and it's off to bed.