Sick Kitty

As I went to hop into the shower before my writer's panel meeting my left foot stepped in something warm.  I looked down and liquid appeared splashed across the carpet.  Warm liquid? For anyone who owns a pet, this sets off warning bells.

Moments earlier I'd seen our younger cat Olivia slink under our bed so I had my suspicions on who the culprit was.  Was she upset at us for being gone?  We'd only been gone a little over 48 hours--hardly worth a vengeance pee.  I worried she was sick.

I went into the hall and there near the litter box was a bit of goo, as if someone had spit up.  Now I was worried.  I went and found Blair.

"Olivia pee'd on the floor and threw up a little, " I said.  "So keep an eye on her."

I hoped in the shower and Blair came in a few minutes later to say he'd found Olivia under the bed, along with a bit more sick-up. 

Blair had been planning on going out to our property to do some work but as he was getting in the car to pull away I waved him back into the house.

"I know it's not fair and I know nothing is going to happen, but can you please stay home with Olivia until I get back from my meeting?"

He's a good sport.  He really wanted to go get some work done but my nerves were already under stress from other issues and I really would have been worried about the cats if left alone.  I have that "worst case scenario" ability and imagined Olivia choking or passing out and no one here to help her.  I also knew the chances of that happening were slim but if one of us was going to have the "I told you so" last word, in this scenario I was happy to give it to Blair.

And she was fine.  She's looked a little stressed all evening but she's stayed out with us, which is a good sign. She usually hides when she's sick.  So we'll keep an eye on her and see how it goes.

Participating in a Panel Group of Writers

We returned this AM from our trip to the mountains to see the Highland Games (see "Highland Games" entry) and I ran a quick shower and then dashed into downtown Greensboro to participate in a writer's panel sponsored by the Writer's Group of the Triad (WGOT).

I must say, there was a certain feeling of having "arrived" as a writer in being asked to sit on the panel and have a roomful of people looking to you for advice.  I can only hope I didn't disappoint.  Actually, I was really more secondary to the panel.  Most people in the room appeared to have an interest in how to publish their book--either fiction or non-fiction--they're working on. 

I was floored by the turnout.  32 people! When Blair said good-bye and asked me how many people we thought would attend I shrugged and said it could be as low as five and we'd be happy with 12-15.  It shows me how many people have the desire to write and be heard.  I think there's a little place in all our hearts where we long to live on a bit past our days, maybe imparting humor, wisdom or knowledge for those that follow.

I wish I'd thought to bring a camera to the event.  I usually carry one but we'd packed it for our trip and I didn't think to take it along.

I'm drop dead tired.  It's 8:20 and I'll consider it a successful night if my eyes stay open until 9.  However, before I go to bed I've got to have Blair go over his notes with me from where he proofread the LIS book this afternoon, catch up on some e-mails with my website designer, mail checks to the petsitter and the final installment to my book cover designer, and answer about 8 of the 52 e-mails that were waiting to greet me when I got home.

Or promise myself I'll get up early in the morning and do it then.  Ah ha ha!!! (evil laugh).

Tornado Warnings

The rain has been slamming down for the past 4 hours and it was pitch dark outside at about 3pm.  We're under a tornado warning, which means they spotted one, but that was around 3:45 this afternoon.  I've had my face stuck in my laptop all day, working on an article on the Tibetan Terrier (don't you wish you had my life) for Dog & Kennel magazine.  When I finally flipped on the TV late this afternoon there were warnings firing off at the bottom of the screen that everyone in my county should move to a safe location.

Like most people though, I assumed they weren't talking to me and plopped myself down on the couch to watch the coverage.  "If I a tornado comes, I'll hear it first and run into the hall," I thought.  The thought hadn't even left my head when the news anchor said, "If you hear or see a tornado, it may be too late to take shelter."  They know we're a bunch of loose cannons out here.

Besides, where would I take shelter?  No basement so I guess the guest bathroom, the only room without windows.  But I'm not going in there without my cats!  And what do you think my chances of herding them in there are???

My friends Bob & Rachel are setting out for a cross-country drive to Seattle, their new home, in this monsoon.  What a way to start a trip.  Safe journey guys!

Networked my way to a new writing assignment

Just found out that I've been given a writing assignment by Novel & Short Stories Writer's Market by Writer's Digest Books.  This is a yearly book that contains all the listings and advice for any writers interested in novel or short story writing.  It's a huge book, around 1,000 pages, and contains articles about the writing process.  I'll be writing an article on networking for the 2007 edition.

How I landed this article is a great example of networking.  To wit:

1. Katharine Sands, a NY literary agent spoke to our area writer's group last year at our annual meeting.  I wrote a thank-you note to her for her talk and inquired about using her as a source for an article I wanted to write on Establishing Author Platforms - a speciality area of Katharine's.
2. Katharine called me when she got my note and was very agreeable to being a source for me.  She also offered to put in touch for the article with other top literary agents.
3. I sent out queries to writer's magazines. All were rejected except for the Novel & Short Story book.  The editor there asked that I follow up in 6 months time for review.
4. I followed up last week. The editor said the topic wouldn't work, but the editor of Writer's Digest magazine recommended me and she'd like to try and use me for a story. (Was I floating on air after that one? You betcha. I've sent 5 queries in the past year to WD, all rejected.  But apparently it pays to keep trying and keep your name out there)
5. I offered a query on networking, which the editor accepted.
6. Now I'll go back to Katharine to use her as a source and also follow-up with the other agents for sources for the article.

All of this from one little thank you note. Never underestimate it's power--I teach that in my networking workshops.

The really cool thing is that if I get my act together enough to send out my public speaking book proposal soon, having the exposure of appearing in Novel & Short Stories Writer's Market is a big marketing plus. Would be great if I had a public speaking book ready to advertise in my by-line.

The yin-yang time frame of the literary world is amazing.  For the most part, it's on big waiting room where you wait 6 months to hear if your query idea is accepted or 2 years to publish your book.  But I feel like I've crossed a warp-zone timeline and now I must fly to get things ready.  The book proposal must go out NOW to take advantage of the byline, which means the book writing must occur RIGHT NOW.

I actually  love it.  I get really bored doing the same thing every day and the writer's life offers a great chance to do something unique each day.