Felt like I was finally back today, finding the right balance between day job and writing. I finished, “The Piano Time Rag” last night — it topped out at 8600 words. Tonight I started adding in all the things that were missing from the first draft. It’s at about 8900 words now. I figure it’ll be around 9000 by the time I’m finished. I’m still not certain what genre it is: something between horror, fantasy, and mystery.

I didn’t keep the balance all day — panicked for a while about the day job (SO MUCH TO DO!!! AND ALL OF IT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW NOW NOW NOW) And then panicked about the writing (Ditto, only with so much to write. And not as many exclamation marks.)

I did go dancing tonight (Lindy hop & swing social dance.) For part of one dance, I really got it. I felt like I was flying. I was light on my feet and dancing along, doing the right steps with my partner — it was magical. I love that feeling, I knew that it was possible dancing, and now I know better how to get there again.

I’ll finish “The Piano Time Rag” tomorrow or Friday. I’m going to send it to a first reader or two to start with, then figure out what market to send it to. (Seriously–not a clue what the genre is.) This weekend I’ll start “Postcards from Hell,” which is the last of the Hell ‘verse short stories, with Andy, the PI who’s a ghost. If things go well, I’ll finish that next week. Then I’m traveling for a bit, no writing, not really, for a week or so. Then I’ll get back on that horse.

Because this balance is key. And I can do it. It’s just — a new balance. New day job and short story writing. A new normal.