Grants and Things

I really appreciate that a number of you thought to forward to me information on the Andy Warhol Foundation writer's grant program, which of course I've been considering. After some thought over the weekend—well, after some thought, and after some late deliberations with the prospective publisher—I decided to sit out the first application round. I'm going to buff up my proposal, consider some other angles and research, and apply on the next go-round.

I find myself in the awkward position of admitting, too, that I'm concerned about taking on too many future obligations just right this minute. (Too many more than the projects I'm already working on, that is.) As it happens, this month has witnessed a downturn in both my parents' health. Recently, my mom began experiencing complications from a surgery she had several years ago to address a spinal injury; those complications mean more surgeries. My dad has apparently developed kidney problems very suddenly.

This isn't a hiatus announcement—I'll be around, though the foreseeable future may find me writing from Dallas for some stretches, and I don't think that would jibe with the proposal I had in mind. Maybe, though, it was overcautious of me to not apply if I couldn't commit. Mostly I say all this to explain that, rightly or wrongly, I decided I wasn't prepared to think about committing to my proposal. Plus, other reasons. So thanks to those of you who gave me advice—I appreciate 'cha—and don't steal my ideas while I'm mulling them over.