September 29, 2007: A Little Help from My Friends...
Getting the word out on a new book is not an easy task especially when your first one didn't do so well. But despite the odds, I have high hopes for LIFE OVER EASY. I'm going to commit time and energy to get LOE noticed without letting it take over my life. I'm pretty excited about the few events I'm doing to get myself out there (see the Contact page for more info) and hope to add a few more before I overstay my welcome. In the spirit of spreading the news, I'll be sending out a "Hey, guess what?" email on Monday to friends and family to share the news and then go on from there.
September 28, 2007: Expert Opinion
When my editor Sulay told me she had a feeling More Than This would be my longest novel yet, I didn't belive her. Especially since I'd just turned in a draft that was way short at about 78,000 words. She read it and gave me her notes which were smart and thoughtful (just like her), I brain stormed a bit and lo and behold I think I may surpass the 90k word count I'd thought I'd have trouble making. Why? Because this current (and maybe final pass) has opened up a slew of ideas and possibilities. I'm having a great time adding layers and smoothing out rough edges and discovering new things about my characters. And isn't that what writing should be all about?
September 25, 2007: Green Snot
The kid is home sick today (but got a lot more chipper as soon as I told him he wouldn't be going to school) so any plans for sustained writing are derailed. Instead I've begun organizing my books on www.Goodreads.com. It's kind of like Netflixs for books, but without the subscription fees or the physical books. So far I only have one in my 'shelf' but with the way things are going, I might have time to add a few more.
September 22, 2007: Things Change but They Really Don't
With my computer issues almost sorted out (I expect to be back to normal by Monday morning), I've been able to get in some writing time and have made progress in my polish of More Than This. I've been so busy concentrating on writing my third book that I haven't really been able to take in the fact that my second book, Life Over Easy, is out this Wednesday. What am I going to do to celebrate? Nothing. Why? Because I have a book due in a few weeks and will save my celebrating for later.
September 17, 2007: Getting Ready for the Grind
Woke up to an email head's up from my editor this morning to expect some notes--big and detailed ones--from her on the More Than This (Summer 2008/Touchstone Fireside). It's both good and bad. It's good because I have a very capable and caring editor who wants to help me make More Than This as good as it can be. I'm looking forward to the work. In the meantime, I'm making my travel arrangements for the Sunday Cafe Writer's Club group book signing at the Stonestown Borders in San Francisco on October 6th.
September 16, 2007:
Veni, Vidi, Dormivi
And that about sums it up for me. But I expect sleep to go by the wayside once I get my editorial letter (or spanking as I like to call it) from my editor Sulay at Fireside Touchtone (or is it Touchtone Fireside?) with her critiques on More Than This any day now. Also, I'll have to pretend to understand the finer legal points my agent is going to run past me as I gear up to sign on the dotted line. And of course, Life Over Easy should be making its way to bookstores in the next few days and who knows how that's going to go. It's enough to make a person want to take to their bed.
September 01-07, 2007: The Week That Never Was
I've just pressed send on the email that is carrying More Than This as a big fat attachment to my editor in New York. I'd celebrate, but I have a feeling I'd end up in Vegas wearing someone else's underpants. Instead I'll share brief highlights of my week as a writer on a deadline.
1. A venti sized anything is a bad idea.
2. You can't watch Black Hawk Down too many times while working on a love story.
3. Dogs aren't dumb and can tell time--they won't leave you alone until they have their regular walk.
4. Just because you are eating or feeding your kid food you haven't cooked yourself, doesn't mean you won't have to clean up the kitchen.
5. A good night's sleep only means you'll have to work twice as fast the next day to make up for the time wasted sleeping.
6. A great way to make sure you'll work out is to only give yourself a break from your desk if you're going to work out.
7. Really, Black Hawk Down is a great movie for so many reasons.
8. "How was your day?" is a really a fucking stupid question.
9. Gossip still happens even if you don't have time to read blogs three times a day.
10. Even when you think you're done (for now), there'll always be something you know you could have done better. |
