Is there Such a Thing as a Happy Writer?

I was recounting the holiday weekend for a co-worker today and apparently there was something in my voice that sounded like, I don't know...happiness? My boss ( with whom I have a big brother/little sister relationship--i.e. a lot of teasing) said, "This won't do! A happy writer? Is that even allowed?" He was kidding, of course. There has been a lot of Khaliah teasing of late, what with my singing in the hallways of the school, wearing colors other than black, and the perpetual smile on my face--I can't say I'm not obnoxiously happier these days and people have taken notice. But the question of whether or not I, or anyone for that matter, can be a happy writer has stuck with me all day.

Think about the subject matter of some of the greatest novels and stories ever written, they tend to be tales of death, lost loves, unrequited loves, war and other such sadness. My own work tends to take on the darker things in life, even my comedic writing involves dead goldfish and a break-up. Much of that work came about when I was in the throes of one failing love affair or another. Or I was dealing with a less than ideal work situation. Or someone had died. Basically, all the shitty things life serves up, I took and turn it into my art. That's natural. That's whatvwe do. I'm not saying that the introduction of this new element into my life has blocked out all the shit and dirt that makes up our existence. I'm not saying that I
no longer have feelings of self doubt, or that all of a sudden I'm loving life. I mean I am, but not any more or less than before. And because it's still new and somewhat undefined, there's a whole new element of anxiety that's latched itself onto my female brain (you can't
see it but I'm sticking my tongue out at this whole liking a boy thing).

So there's a slight chance I'm looking at things a little differently. And maybe that makes me nervous for my art. Just a little. My school year is ending in a few days. I mean, I'll still
have to work through the 17th and then I'll have two weeks of vacation before I start my new contract (y'all I'm back to working 12 months a year with only a month of summer vacay). I'm
planning on getting a new computer and putting myself to work. But should things continue as
they are, should I remain happy and excited about the prospects that lay before me where is
the pain going to come from? And how will it make it's way onto the page? Sure, I haven't
forgotten the last 15 years, but they seem so far away these days.

So, can a writer be happy and still create literature that is reflects the humsn condition (whatever that may be)? I suppose I'll find out soon.

Summertime

Well, today I taught my last official classes. Tomorrow I'll do an exam review session for 40 minutes per block but in terms of actual, teaching time--I'm done! Year one is down. And as soon as I catch up on all the grading I have to do and writing my exam, and grading that exam, and finishing the last of my family meetings, I will be free to work intermittedly throughout the summer (I made the possibly crazy decision to go full time college guidance next year, teach one English class and advise the yearbook).  So I only have four weeks of vacation as opposed to two months, but I'll spread it around so I feel good about the amount of time I spend in office. Plus, there won't be any kids, and I'll get to write most of my letters of recommendation. But most importantly, I'll write. I'm talking novel pages people. The current goal is to finish a draft before school starts on Spetember 7th. Considering I think I'm only 90 pages away, this feels more than doable.

The only possible stumbling block? My plans to be a summer vampire with the boy I'm dating.

That's right. This dating cynic is dating. Contrary to my previous beliefs and experiences, not all men suck. Just the majority.

Where have I been?

I'm not even sure how to answer that question. Life has been happening at a faster speed than I'm used to after my life in Iowa. I'm just going to go down the list.

Travel

Mostly I've been hanging around Baltimore but I did manage to have a busy spring break in March: Philadelphia, New York City, New Haven, New York, and back to Baltimore. In April I went to San Francisco for the wedding of a dear friend from Iowa (more on that later). And just last week I visited Jackson, Mississippi and Millsaps College--more on that too. So it's been an eventful travel season.

Writing

Um....okay truth be told not a lot of fresh work coming out except in revision form. But, I have revised about 80% of the first half of my novel. I'm rather proud of the changes.

Knitting
Finished some socks...bought some yarn....not really knitting. It looks like I'll be spending summer alternating between knitting and writing.

What else do I do?

Teaching? First year is ays away from being over!!!

Dating?

Yes.