F-F-Freaking Out

Who exactly do I need to see about stopping time? OMG, so much work to be done. Did I really spend my night watching The Next Food Network Star Challenge? Am I really that lame? Or is it just a bad dream...?

The good news: I have a literary agency interested in seeing a book proposal and sample chapters from me on a new cat book. (Not Kiss My Kitty Butt. Different book.)  The really good news is that the agency responded in a short time frame to my query letter sent out on the book. They are taking on new clients in September, so I need to get this proposal and chapters out to them no later than mid-August--and that's pushing it.

The challenge: When I sent the query, I did so with the expectation of having to wait the traditional 2-4 months to hear anything. I had just started writing my proposal when I heard from the agent. As for the book--a couple of sample snippets are written but there are miles (miles, people) to go.

The hope: I have busted my (kitty) butt this week pulling together what I think is a stellar proposal. Or what is shaping up to be one. A friend of mine who ghostwrites proposals for a living is critiquing my work and she's on me to dig, dig, dig and make it better, better, better. Stats, specifics, humor, details... this thing has to be spot on. I just got her latest feedback. I thought I was 90% done but ha--shows what I know. After reading her suggestons, I'm sweating bullets at the work still to be done. I'd estimate I just dropped back to 70% done.

The freaking out part: I'm out of town at the end of this week and need to devote some long hours to articles that are already on tap. But it's crucial I get drafts of the chapters down on paper. Humor on demand is hard work and I need time to let the work sit in order to go back and hone it. I see a lot of late nights in my future. (Or realistically, early mornings. NOT a night person.)

The awesome part: I am LOVING this. Love the pressure, love the work, am having loads and loads of fun cranking this out. I am creating a career out of writing about cats. 

That makes me a happy, happy camper.

Can't Take the Heat?

Our trainer cancelled our track workout tonight due to high heat and humidity. Oh yeah... we like her. In its place I did a quick air-conditioned treadmill workout, threw in some abs, and was showered before 7. Nice. 

Today was a great day. I was contacted for four different writing projects. Maybe that fairy dust I sprinkled in the air is finally taking effect. 

It's going to be a packed month. Our niece arrives tomorrow for a 4-day visit, as she does each summer.  I've got interviews to conduct for articles, a book proposal to get out, sample book chapters to write, a marketing plan to update and implement, and I'm just itching to rip the tired wallpaper off in the front bedroom and transform the space into my writing room. I'm thinking bright, cheerful colors, like a turquoise or an apple green. (Blair? Honey? Pick yourself up off the floor.) And I'll be putting self-esteem and two decades worth of dieting on the line as I attend my 20th high school reunion at the end of the month.

As I said, busy.

Running helps. While it is yet another thing to cross off the "to do" list, it's a focused task. One foot in front of the other. There is no multi-tasking, no checking e-mails, no scanning incoming calls. It's just breath and effort. 

I've got an early morning trail run with my name on it. Nighty-night.

Nothing Is Ever Simple

Here's a perfect, recent example of how I back up to work and get bogged down in the process.

Kiss My Kitty Butt - More Life With Cats will most likely be published in Spring of 2009. I decided I need a temporary logo for the book, just something to put on Facebook, e-mails, etc. to start generating some excitement for the book. I asked a friend to illustrate a bored, disparaging looking cat for the logo, and I love what she came up with. I then e-mailed the logo today to my website designer, Melody Watson, and asked her to pull together a logo for me.

In thinking about the logo, I decided I wanted the web address included - wwww.kissmykittybutt.com. Might as well get the advertising in early. I own the domain, but haven't but up a page yet. Problem. I don't want to send people to a blank page.

So I decided to ask Melody if she could redirect the kissmykittybutt.com domain so my www.lessonsinstalking.com web page shows up.

But that only has the old book on it. I need something on there announcing the Spring 2009 arrival of KMKB. So I asked Melody to create some sort of banner or button announcing the new book.

If I get people to go as far as the page, I don't want to lose them. So I need to include an e-mail address where they can either pre-order the book or be put on a list to be alerted when the book is available. I'm debating if I want to use kissmykittybutt@triad.rr.com, or KMKB@triad.rr.com, or spotlightpublishing@triad.rr.com.

You see the mess? I went from one quick e-mail asking for a logo to suddenly needing a domain name redirect, banner announcement, new e-mail address, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

When I sat down, I thought it would be to shoot off a two second e-mail to Melody. It turned into a page of text that ended with, "You know what? Just call me and let's discuss."

For obvious reasons, I make sure to stay on her good side...

Leaving the Bed is Overrated

With the exception of trundling to the kitchen to forage for food, the briefest of potty breaks, and a one-hour dash to yoga, I have not left the bed since 7:30 this morning. How cool is that?

I've discovered I don't need to leave the bed to work.I've got my laptop propped on my legs, projects spread across the space beside me, cell phone by the beside table, and the cats take turns jumping up onto the bed to sleep at my feet. I don't know why I didn't think of this years ago...

Lest you think I'm some sort of loser, I'll point out that the bed is made, and I am showered, dressed, with teeth brushed and hair combed. (Kinda. I'm still growing it out. Big hair. Big, big hair.)  I've simply chosen to recline on a Sterns & Foster double-padded mattress versus sitting stiffly upright in a squeaky office chair. I've got three pillows stacked behind my back, a comforter spread across my feet, and a stunning view of the vines that threaten to overtake the grape arbor outside our bedroom window.

Oh sure, I might feel the beginning of bed sores developing across my a--, but this is a small price to pay for the luxury of being able to close my eyes, roll my head back, and snore for 15 minutes on demand. Again--so cool. 

Every two to three months, our cat Lucy picks a new place in the house to call "hers." Be it a corner of the good sofa, the rug in the kitchen, or spread-eagle at the bottom of the stairs, once she picks a spot, she can't be moved from it. I suspect something similar happening here.  I might need an intervention at some point to get me to leave the bedroom.

In the meantime, if you need me, call my cell.

The main phone is in the living room and I can't reach it from bed.