In some ways I’m like a kid again. Every December 1st, I start counting down those days until Christmas. Not because I want to get a zho zho (I’m not sure I even know what those are!), but because I want the time off.

This year is actually better than most. I am off from the 18th until January 4th, 18 days of unadulterated, uninterupted bliss.

For a writer, two weeks off without work is a gift that keeps giving. It’s a time to write and write and write some more, ignoring the obvious calls of holiday cheer and new year revelries. For me, it’s going to be finishing this chapter on the Pulp Years and the 1920s. Those 550 novellas are beckoning. I’ve read over 100 of them, and have about 50 more to go before I call it quits. It’s provided me with any number of insights into the author, the writer and the characters that ES Gardner would create later in life.

I have about 30 more pages to write in this chapter before I move on to the 1940s and the radio show among other things. I’d like to be in the 1950s before I go to Austin in June. Before my research trip in June, I am going to need a new netbook — does anyone have any suggestions on a good model?

I still for the life of me cannot figure out how he could do 100K words a month done, but I plan on giving it a try over my break!