DIARY OF A GIRL-NEXT-DOOR HEAVY METAL NOVELIST
April
6, 2007
Yesterday, I was sitting out by a pool. Today, I had to scrape snow off
my car before I drove to work. Dang. Orlando was wonderful, and I feel
renewed as both a college educator and an author. On Tuesday, on my way
out to the pool, I ran into someone carrying a copy of Won't
Get Fooled Again. When I found my friend at the bar, she pulled
out a copy, too, and asked me to sign it. That night, my sister pulled
into town to meet my fella and me, and she put the pressure on to finish
book #2. I'm feelin' it.
April
15, 2007
Despite the fact that I didn't move from my chair for six hours straight,
I feel like I'm on my game. A few days ago, I wore my signature leopard
hat to work and I pulled my favorite red lipstick out of retirement. As
it turned out, that was my best day ever at the new day job. Within two
more days, I received intriguing and exciting job opportunities that couldn't
be a coincidence could they? The snow keeps a-comin' but I'm ready to
use the summer to finish my second novel.
April
29, 2007
We've begun to interview candidates for positions like mine at my day
job. I can't believe that my year of being new is almost over. I've recently
accepted to appointments that seem like promotions even though they won't
come with any extra cash, but it's still exciting to see that the first
job search I ever did with romantically-related geographic limitations
is turning into something I can make my own. I don't know if I should
be worried that I use American Idol language to describe my career, but
since my man Sanjaya was kicked off AI recently, I want to keep the love
alive.
May
13, 2007
I'm thinking of moving my blog home to a new location. I started this
tome while I was working on my manuscript for Won't
Get Fooled Again, and I used it to chronicle my progress in finding
a publisher and seeing my book come to life. In fact, I wouldn't make
entries unless I had progress to report. Now I have related fires burning,
but they're not related to fiction. I think of blog topics almost every
day, but since they don't relate to my book, I feel strange posting them
here. I'd like to keep a journal alive, so I'm going to start one for
my non-author dreams that will be updated frequently. Just like before,
I'll outline my fantasies and the steps I'll take to make them into realities.
There will probably be more deans than demons
in the stories, but if all goes well the rock & roll spirit won't
die.
May
21, 2007
I've got blog software on the way and material busting out of me. Today,
I'd like to talk about neighbors who don't curb their dogs and force me
to stalk them. What about my crazy obsession with Fiber One bars? If I
can't get my pulse pumping for the completion of my second novel, I have
an excellent idea for a bathroom book about public restroom etiquette.
From now on, when people ask what my blog is about, I can honestly say,
"Just a bunch of sh*t."
May
31, 2007
It's been a busy time. Right before the Memorial Day weekend, Bill
Clinton visited my day job and gave one of three tremendous speeches
I heard that day. I realized that day that events like academic convocations
have the same effect on me that KISS
concerts do. The rituals, costumes and music make me believe anything
is possible.
Well...almost anything. I can't stop thinking about going back to school. I've started looking at some accelerated programs, which claim that I could finish in three years. Maybe this summer I'll be writing out applications instead of finishing my second novel.
Before I write anything I have to give my vision some TLC. After a couple weeks of red itchy eyes, I saw on the news this week that the brand of saline solution I've been using has been recalled because it causes a fungus that can lead to blindness. Great! I went to the doc this morning, and learned that I'm fungus free, but I do have an allergy that's taken a toll.
Belated happy birthday wishes to loyal reader Mike Nichols. I hope you made Memorial Day more than memorable.
June 12,
2007
I'm getting skinny, kicking ass at my day job and getting the writing
fever. I would almost be fabulous, except that the writing I want to do
is for PhD applications. I tell people out loud that I don't want to get
my doctorate, but right now, I'm itching to get back into a classroom
as a student. Plus--you get the puffy hat to wear at academic ceremonies.
It's the haute couture of the educational world. Dean Shaw needs to be
Dr. Shaw. I promise to be the only graduate to wear fishnets at commencement.
I used to be afraid that putting myself out there so much with my blog would earn me hate mail and reproach from readers. I find that I solicit more attention when I'm neglectful of my diary. Interesting. Whoever you are, Smakki, I agree with your assessments, but I'm not sure I can bring my old self back to life. I hope you'll forgive me and start a funny blog I can read for the next few years. You could inspire me to finish my PhD and find my old rock & roll roots. Whadya say? (continue)
