The Writer's Life

This entry will be a myriad mish-mash (alliteration: the tool of the truly talented writer) of this week's events.

Let's talk about instinct.  I am a firm believer that one should always listen to your gut.  Rarely will your initial instincts lead you wrong.  My problem, however, is isolating that initial instinct before I smother it with my Vulcan-logic.  For example, I find it incredibly difficult to turn down writing assignments, even if my gut is screaming at me to do so.  I start rationalizing why my gut is wrong.  "This is a new opportunity--it's just fear talking." or "Hey, this is income.  So you don't feel like doing it. Suck it up and take the work."  However, the few times I've listened to my gut and turned down work, I'm convinced I made the right choice.

And gut instinct can work with good things too.  I had a writing opportunity presented to me today via e-mail and, on paper, the pay was so low that I thought, "I can't spend time on that."  And yet, some small part of me was whispering, "Check it out." So I called and spoke to the woman who sent the e-mail and had an overwhelmingly positive response to her the minute her voice came over the phone.  I can't explain it other than it was just that feeling of "good vibes."  So I'm going to give the low-paying work a shot.  Less for the income and more because I want to honor that little voice that's hinting, "Something more will come of this." 

Other gut instincts.  I have an assignment due the end of January for a magazine I've being writing for for years. Normally, I would just start the assignment.  But a nagging voice kept saying, "You better check and make sure they still want this piece."  So I e-mailed and yes, they still wanted the piece, but get this.  They had down that I owned them a piece from October.  I never turned it in and they assumed it was because they were behind on payments to me and so never contacted me, thinking I was done with them.

I was mortified. I've never missed a deadline in my life.  Somewhere the wires got crossed because I had the assignment listed in my assignment database (yes, I am that anal), but I had the due date as October 2006.  That's not unusual to receive an assignment that far out and, at the time, I was selecting the articles I wanted to write for them in 2006.  So I'm not sure what happened.

The end of this is that I just barely have enough time to get the article to them in time to slam it into the issue going to press.  So I'm hustling this week to get interviews and pull it off.  But thank God I listened to my gut and contacted this company.  Otherwise, I never would have known that they thought I was no longer working for them.  Aaaugh!

Another gut instinct.  I'm on a tight deadline doing work on a brochure for a company.  They want it by the end of this week, at the latest.  I e-mailed my first draft Monday and never heard anything. I found it odd my contact hadn't called to discuss but tried to dismiss it.  But my thoughts kept returning to it and I had something else to discuss anyway, so I called.

"What do you think of the draft of the brochure?" I asked at the end of the conversation.

"What draft?" she replied.

She never received my e-mail. Again, thank goodness I called so the process didn't get stalled.

I'm really not a very good gut listener, but I'm working on it.  Another goal for the New Year.

Book Signings for Lessons In Stalking

Wanted to mention a few final book signings I'm doing before the holidays.  Priced at under $10 (okay, a nickel under $10, but it still counts), Lessons In Stalking makes a great gift or stocking stuffer.  I've had people buying in bulk.  My allergist bought 8 to give to friends and family.  I'd say the book is appropriate (as in, they'll "get" the humor) for ages 10 and up.

So, if you'd like to catch me in person to sign a few books, I'll be at THE PAINTED PLATE at 2001 N. Church Street this Wednesday, Dec. 14th from noon - 1:30 pm.  They are hosting a shopping boutique staffed with local artists and, aside from my book, it's a great chance to pick up some unique gifts crafted by local artists.  I'll be at a table with Linda Santell, my book's illustrator, who will have some of her Whimsical Wisdom work for women handy as well. 

I'm also planning on stopping by The Fat Cat in Madison the weekend before Christmas to do a signing.  Right now, I'm planning on being there from 11 - 1 on Saturday, December 24th.  All you last minute shoppers, buy a gift book for your wife, husband or significant other and keep them laughing Christmas Day as they kick back to enjoy it.

I look forward to seeing you at these two events!

The Unofficial Book Launch Review

I say "unofficial" book launch review because I'm still jazzed and think I need some time to process.  Plus, I'm spending all day prepping for a class I'm teaching tomorrow and don't have the time to sit down and write the blow-by-blow entry I really want to.  I'll save that for when the pictures come in.  (My friend Michael Cable took a ton and he's a semi-professional photographer so I can't wait to see them).

First thing: the food was marvelous. The cake was a wonder.  They iced the top of the cake in my book cover, putting tiny paw prints around the edges.  I'm so happy with it I wrote a thank-you note to the Harris Teeter Bakery that did it.  They need to be congratulated on a job well done.

My worries about not having enough food were groundless.  I was shoving subway sandwiches, cheese, and cake at strangers in the Green Bean by the end of the night.

Pam Cable did my intro and did a fabulous job.  She had ordered a beer beforehand and I was teasing her that didn't she want to do my intro before she started drinking so she wouldn't be all weepy? (She had all of 3 sips before she introduced me, I'm sure). Then at the end of her intro she did tear up a little,which was so sweet, and a little funny too.

I honestly don't know how my book reading went.  I'm going to have to find an honest friend to tell me. My voice was so loud in my own ears I really couldn't hear if people were talking, listening, laughing, etc.  I read "Dibbs!" and it seemed to take a loooong time to get through it.  Blair taped it though, so when I gather my courage I'll view it and see what I think.  (I dislike watching myself on video or TV).

The rough book count is 31 books sold, one over goal, so I'm extremely pleased. One misstep I didn't foresee was that I'm not set up to take credit cards.  Two people needed that option and though I sent them to my website, it's always better to get the sale while it's there vs. hoping it will come back.  With a little foresight, I'm sure I could have arranged something with the Green Bean so they could take credit card sales for me.  Next launch, maybe. =)

The most fun of the evening were the people who turned out.  I am so touched by friends who stopped by when I know it was out of their way, or a bad time.  My former supervisor Larry S. was there with his wife and members of her family. My dear friends Dean & Mariela arrivedwith a bundle of pink roses and hugs for me. Mariela and I used to write together 4 years ago and I would talk about my cat book and she would talk about her memoir.  My book is out and Mariela is completing her MFA and her book will be done within the year, so it's wonderful to watch our dreams come to life.

Many friends were there from the Women's Resource Center (special thanks to Dale Jaques for passing out raffle tickets), our new next door neighbor drove 45 minutes into town to say hello and buy a book, which I thought was amazing, and many friends from former jobs, classes, and life were there.  Melody Watson who designed my Lessons In Stalking web site was there, as was my illustrator, Linda Santell.  Lots of WGOT members too, which meant a lot to me.

My good friend Rachel who lives in Seattle was also there--via phone.  She had Mariela call her when I started my reading so she could "be there" for me and I spoke with her almost as soon as I got off the stage.  Very fun.

Gregory Alan, the guitarist, was amazing.  Exactly the right blend of mellow undertones that relaxed everyone yet still gave an energy to the room.  I bought his CD and heard a lot of people buzzing about him throughout the night.

And the cats.  Two of the most beautiful cats to walk the earth came with Allyson, a volunteer, from Happy Hills.  These were cats that were given up and it shows because they are the most calm, loving creatures.  They didn't get adopted, which broke my heart.  One was all black named Jordan and one was a pastel gray and white named Spooky (this picture doesn't do him justice).

Spooky was a lover.   Linda held him and he had his arms wrapped around her neck as if hugging her. Toward the end of the night, I was by his cage petting him, and he leaned in toward me and we nuzzled noses, and then he gave my nose several soft, sandpapery licks.  (Was I dying inside?  Yes, I was).  Then he brought his little paw up and tapped my face several times - on my nose, on my cheek, and on the chin.  This is a cat just begging to be brought home and loved.  He is made for sofa living.  And honestly, if I wasn't married, this cat would be home with me right now.  No doubt in my mind.  Probably Jordan too.  I love Lucy and Olivia to pieces but neither of them are "lap cats." Both of these cats were, in a big, furry, lovable way.   Oh--my heart.  It hurt to watch them leave in cages.

And that's the book launch at a glance.  Again, I had a ball and am so grateful for everyone's love and support.  And I still hold hope that maybe the kitties will be adopted soon.

Heart Attack On A Subway Platter

Thank God I'm the type of person who follows up.  For my book launch, I'm having Subway do a couple of party sandwich trays, along with some cookies.  I stopped by last week to place the order.  I called them a few minutes ago, just to verify that the order would be ready by 5 tonight.

"Oh, I'm so glad you called!" said the woman who answered (who also happened to be the woman I spoke to last week).  "Somebody took your order down and we couldn't find it.  Hold on a minute," and I heard her turn to a co-worker and say, "It's that woman whose order we lost calling." 

"Oh good," said the co-worker.

I can't complain because she was just as nice as she could be as she retook my order.  "What would you have done if I'd just shown up without calling?" I asked.

"Oh, we can get those trays ready really fast.  We'd have taken care of you."

That's a good worker.  She was very calm and made me feel--even though they'd lost the order--that I was in capable hands.

Figuring lighting couldn't strike twice, I called Harris Teeter to make sure the cake would be ready.

"What's that name again?" asked the woman.

"Harris," I said.  "It's a cake with the cover of a cat book on it. I left a copy of the book with you." 

"Uh-huh. And um...what was the name?"

They found that order though.  I also did a last minute food panic and bought a cheese tray for a ridiculous amount of money.  But I'm still worried I don't have enough.  Part of the problem is I have no idea how many people will show.  Who knows...I could be eating subway leftovers for a week.

That's all.  Just thought I'd share my moment of panic.