For the last year, my full-time job as a mathematics professor has been on hold, sort of. The professional term is “sabbatical,” which basically amounts to a year off to pursue non-teaching activities. Usually that means research, but for me it meant devoting myself to writing.

Has it been financially gainful? Nope! At least, not yet, anyway. Maybe never. I don’t really care terribly much about that — I’m just enjoying being something I always wanted to be.

My sabbatical ends officially on August 16th, at which time, if I understand my contract correctly, I’m obligated to work for UDM for at least another two years. I’ll probably work for several more years after that as well. Seven more years of being a professor, give or take, is the plan. But nothing is set in stone. I don’t need the money anymore. Now, it’s about being there for my oldest as he navigates his way through university, combined with the hope I can regain the love of teaching I once had.

One thing’s for certain — I’ll be spending more time on my writing than my university work from now on. I’m a writer now, and not just of thriller novels. Becka and I are about two-thirds of the way through the first draft of a spicy thriller/romance novel, and I’m a little over halfway done with my first book of crossword puzzles. Not sure whether I’ll have it done in time for the holidays, but that’s the goal.

And of course, I’m still jamming away on Drawing Dead, a.k.a. Book 3 of the Thomas Vale series. This one seems to be taking the shape of a five-act play, and I’m nearly done writing the second act.

One more big exciting thing is happening this month, and … I think I’ll wait to talk about that one. That one deserves its own post. Coming very soon!