I started this story quite some time ago, and finished it in draft form relatively soon after. Not sure when, I could ask Git. If I do, I'll update this page.
I submitted it to Asimov's, I think at the end of 2022 or maybe even the end of 2021, but it wasn't accepted, which was fine. It's fun to submit and it feels good. I sent it to a friend, she said it had lots of vivid imagery which was encouraging.
I really did not spend proper time editing it, though. So, I decided to go through and clean it up. For some reason, even though that is relatively easy to do, it's hard to work up the enthusiasm.
Also, because it's a longer story, it's nice to think: I'll do something special with it. But that's it's own kind of trap. I mean-- what?
I keep thinking about it: "I should just finish editing that and put it up." It's a long story but it's just a story, not the only one I will ever write.
I know I had a goal to get it pushed out before the end of 2023. It's now almost the end of 2024.
I have two other longer form stories that are not yet complete, but it feels like this is blocking me working on them. And who knows what else?
A few months ago I really started to edit it properly, and made it most of the way through in a few nights.
Then, a few days ago I sat feeling frustrated at my inability to get things finished and out (well, that is, anything beyond photos) and so I thought: "What's the easiest thing to finish" and of course it's this.
Well, now it's cleaned up. I can get on with my life.
Enjoy!