but it would be unusual for a Texan to refer to their municipal building as the "town hall" -- even if the community in question consists of seven people and a cross-eyed goat, they're going call it "city hall".

This is a very good point. I hardly notice it myself, having lived in enough places that my idiom is fairly scrambled, but I'd say that's true of at least all the South plus Texas--the town where I went to school, population ~2,000, most definitely had a city hall and city limits, despite being proud of its small town values and general small-town-osity.

I am now, officially, a member of the RWA Pro network. This means that although I haven't sold yet (there's another network for that), I've finished a manuscript and submitted it to a legitimate agent and/or publisher. And yes, I did that over a year ago, but I just now got around to submitting the Pro paperwork. I get a pin from the national office, and my chapter will give me a boa at our next meeting. I want a red one. As for as useful perks go, there are special discussion lists online, special seminars at the National conference, and I get bumped further up the queue for editor and agent appointments at National.

Next up, figuring out how I'll afford National next summer, since it's out west this year and therefore pseudo-convenient. But why'd it have to be Reno, I ask you? That's probably at the very bottom of my list of cities west of the Rockies I'd like to go for a weekend.

Anyway, it's a small thing, but I was happy to see the notification in my inbox.

Congrats, Susan-that's great news!

Edit: Nilly, backflung.

Kristin, whoa, tell the friend MAJOR thanks.

This:

but it would be unusual for a Texan to refer to their municipal building as the "town hall" -- even if the community in question consists of seven people and a cross-eyed goat, they're going call it "city hall".

True, but two things: one, the song lyric is specific (town hall), and two, the town was founded, named after, and headed by a guy from Virginia...

Question. Anyone up for betaing the first pass of the prologue for "Cruel Sister"? As yet unedited?

Deb, I'd be happy to take a look.

Deb, I can take a look for general comments if you'd like.

(just got back)

Thankee, mesdames. Sending. Also to Bev, because she's an automatic.

I want to beta for everyone, but I can't until I finish the book I'm writing. It's six weeks late, and I'm convinced it's completely muddled. Taking time out to drabble was a relief, but I can't do much else until this stupid thing is done.

But yay! Kristin and deb and everyone else who is being so productive.

Also, below is just because I'm in a bad mood. Not a real life experience, thank goodness.

--------

Challenge #32: breath

This isn’t real. You’re dreaming.

I lie on my side, shoulder and hip against a surface unyielding as cement. The cold bites at my legs, sharp and vicious. My ankles are bound, and my wrists, behind me—my knuckles scrape a damp wall, and then something sticky.

I gasp, inhaling the sour odor of the cloth over my head, then gag. The thought of touching it with my tongue makes my gut clench.

Not real…

But it is. I focus on the ragged rasp of my breath, too loud inside the pillowcase.

Breathe. Breathe. It’s all I have left.

Whoa. Amy, scary stuff. There's nothing like a small sharp scene in which the reader is forced to care, with no motive given.

So, instead of working on NaNoWriMo last night, I wrote a short story. ¡Soy idiota! OTOH, it didn't come out too badly. If anybody's interested, it's over at [link] . Kinda Nobilis-esque, now that I look at it again. Feel free to shred it to your heart's content.

Amy, that was pointy. Ouch. Me like the pointy.

Now, to beat myself about the head and shoulders, and get back to the nanogrind.