timothy j. lambert

Don't tell anyone, but I woke up at eight o'clock this morning. I'm not sure it's going to be a continuing trend, because I'm certain waking up early had everything to do with going to bed earlier than normal last night. Although, as usual it took me a while to fall asleep because I kept thinking about everything I did, everyone I met, and all the interesting discussions about writing I had with people at Saints and Sinners. I'd post pictures, but I didn't take any. I know, I suck.

Speaking of sucking, there was a moment on Sunday when I was on stage during my panel discussion when I thought, What the hell am I doing here? I couldn't tell if I was contributing anything worthwhile to the topics and it was extremely difficult not to be able to turn to Becky and ask her for her two cents, because she was moderating the panel and that would be bad form. I couldn't even answer the question What's next? sufficiently, because we haven't discussed the next TJB book, Cochrane Lambert book, and I certainly haven't written anything on my own. However, there were people smiling and sometimes laughing when I was talking, so I'm going to assume that I was at least a bit witty now and then. And some people nodded while I spoke, so I'm going to assume something I said gave some of the audience something to think about. It's all a big blur, really. I do remember telling people to write what they want to read, and I think that's the most important thing anyone who wants to write fiction should know, so at least I got that out.

Becky and I were supposed to induct Stephen McCauley into the S&S Hall of Fame at the closing ceremony, but he had to leave early due to unfortunate circumstances, so we didn't get to. At some point in the future we'll post what we would've said. I'm glad we got to speak with him before he left, because I admire him and his work very much.

Anyway, I had a fantastic weekend. I'm already looking forward to next year, which I'm sure shocks some people who know me. It's not often that I look forward to leaving The Compound, especially for an extended period of time. I missed Rex terribly while we were gone. There was a lot of leaping and barking when we got home last night. And Rex was happy, too. I picked up EZ today and she was glad to see me. She apparently had a very uneventful weekend at the clinic. Which is very good for her. She doesn't need anything eventful to happen for a while. That is, until she finds a forever home.

And now I'll take a nap. Or play in the yard.