Cat Writers of America - Atlanta Conference

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Soon I will hop in a car and head south for the annual Cat Writers Association. I'm presenting a workshop there Friday on "Publicity, Promotion, & Pulling Your Hair Out." I've been feeling a tad guilty I haven't done more to spice up the workshop like PowerPoint or a laser show or interpretive dance. But then yesterday I received a call from a fellow presenter who has spent the last 2 months pulling together her PowerPoint presentation only to be told there will be no computer access. (People--always, ALWAYS confirm you have the A/V you need in place.) So now I'm not feeling so bad...

On an entirely separate note, a local radio station has gone to all holiday songs, all the time. Normally this annoys me but I spent the morning driving around GSO singing along to "Jingle Bell Rock," and "Have A Holly, Jolly Christmas." Who AM I?? If you see me handing out flowers at an airport, please intervene.

Happy Tuesday.

John Irving, Road Trips, Painting, and MORE PROTEIN

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It's been a busy few days and instead of blogging about events as they happen, I let them slide and now my brain is a mish-mash of "meant to blog about it" entries that--due to writer exhaustion--will be shortened to soundbite blurbs:

  • John  Irving. Went to the hear Mr. Irving, one of the most talented writers of our time, speak at UNCG Thursday night. He asked for questions and in about 30 minutes managed to answer only 4, because every answer turned into a story. No one minded. Listening to him speak was a treat. I left feeling inspired, both about writing and life. Yet another reminder that there are books, ideas, and thoughts right in front of us just waiting to be discovered, if only we'd turn off the TV, ignore the e-mails, and participate more fully in life. 
  • Road Trips. Blair and I ventured to Lynchburg this weekend, for the official book launch for our friend Edmund Schubert's book, Dreaming Creek. Ed's parents hosted us in their stunning home in the VA mountains, and this morning we went for a brisk walk with Dora the adorable German Sherpard to tour the fields, streams, and rocks. Came back inside for homemade waffles and hot coffee. Color me happy.
  • Painting. However, we did not linger in Lynchburg because household chores called to us. We came home and raked the front yard, then tackled the front bedroom, which once it's painted will be known as my writer's room. Took both of us working together for almost 4 hours to get the room primed. I love our 100+ year old home, but there is an ungodly amount of window, floor, ceiling, and door trim. Blair and I are showered, but still picking primer paint off our hands.
  • MORE PROTEIN. Did my last long run on Saturday. Felt sluggish, as I had when I ran 5 miles on Thursday. The last time this happened I added protein to my diet and instantly felt better. With the marathon on Saturday, every precaution must be taken to ensure perfect health. Starting to freak out. 

I have a lot of work to do this week, but am going to get plenty of rest, hydrate, and freebase protein every chance I get.

The Last of the Business Cards

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Do you ever procrastinate on something to the point of ridiculousness? I'm usually pretty Type A about attending to the details of life, but I apparently have some sort of unresolved mental/emotional block toward ordering business cards that prevents me from taking even the first step in that direction. Probably something that happend in my childhood.

I have FOUR cards left. Four. And I've got a book signing/workshop presentation the 2nd weekend in Novemeber and I'm a featured speaker at a writers conference in Atlanta the 3rd weekend in November. Hmmm... think there will be any immediate need for cards in my future?

I know why I'm waiting. I have 2 cards I use - one book oriented and one business-writing oriented. I'm reviving and updating the book card, but what's happened is the woman who designed my cards has gone a different route. So what used to be a quick call on my end - "Linda, I need more cards" has now morphed to mega-hassle proportion in my mind as I must take her image, erase some text, add others, find a new printer, etc. (Yes, it will probably take all of an hour once I sit down and do it, but I'm finding any reason to avoid doing that, including early voting today.)

The other card, my business card, needs an overhaul as well - new background and something... something... on the back side. I'm meeting tomorrow with the friend who designed this card and little does she know of my plans to ambush her and beg help with a new design.

Cards before the book signing--that's the goal.