Diary of a Girl-Next-Door Heavy Metal Novelist
February 9, 2004
At the day job today, a
student called to ask if I would team up with him for a yearbook feature
on students collaborating with faculty. Of all the students I've ever
known, he is the one who most challenges me to practice what I preach.
In the final days before Living
the Fantasy was released, the scene in which he appeared was cut.
Now, he can finally receive the acknowledgment he deserves for his contributions.
After a fairly slack weekend, I got back to work tonight on my book. It's not enough for me to wait to hear from the person who has possession of my manuscript right now. I have to get ready for the next step. Unfortunately, while things are hoppin' at the day job, I don't have much time to speed things up on my end. On Thursday, I'm taking a trip to NYC for work. I'd love to do some double duty while I'm there, but I wasn't able to plan anything book-related that fit into my itinerary. And I'll miss karaoke! Rrrrr.
Valentines are in the mail. Big relief.
February 10, 2004
I sneaked in a call from a woman named Ellie today. She assisted me with
some KISSfiction stuff, which balanced out her news that there would be
a slight delay in my grand journey to literary success.
Since I gave blood today, I treated myself to a Taco Bell dinner. I'm still sticking to my No Red Meat Month rule, but I'm sure I'm not sue I was true to the spirit of it. Oh well, I almost didn't make the cut to donate at 5 different hurdles. My temperature was too high the first two times they checked it, then my iron was too low (probably because of the red meat thing). Good thing I had that little slip last week.
While I sat in the drive-through, I popped KISS's Crazy Nights album into my stereo. I haven't listened to KISS in a couple weeks, and I've bared listened to that tape (yes, tape) at all. I felt such utter joy hearing Paul Stanley's voice, complete with a gratuitous key change, that I got tears in my eyes. I hope that no matter what happens with my negotiations with KISS, I never lose my elation at the fantasy. Have I ever just come right out and said it -- I love KISS. Greed, egos and lawyers be damned, I LOVE them!
February
11, 2004
So, the consulting gig MattyWeav and I had wasn't just about listening
to KISS tunes in the car and telling inappropriate jokes. My back aches
from typing up our report last night and tonight. It's done, I think.
That will be pleasant news for my wallet.
Next Friday is a big day for KISSfiction. I'm first meeting early in the morning with two people who will help bring my project to life. It's so freakin' exciting, I have to admit to a bit of giddiness. Then, I've made arrangements to go straight from that meeting to see an attorney. This is a huge step. HUGE.
Tomorrow, I'm off to NYC for some day job fabulousness. My boss told me, "Make sure you introduce yourself as DEAN." I love the dean title, don't get me wrong, but I live for the day when a simple "Colette" will suffice. It just has a celebrity ring to it.
February 12,
2004
I'm staying at the Algonquin Hotel tonight. It's uh. may. zing. This is
where Dorothy Parker, smarter and sexier than any writer ever, hung out
with a gaggle of witty men back in the day. I'm all wrapped up in my complimentary
Algonquin robe (which is good, because I forgot to pack pjs) and I just
sat through an intellectually satisfying lecture. Yummy. I belong here.
I read a fantastic book about publicity on the train this afternoon. Fledgling writers, be warned: Publishers may pay for, um, publishing, but you have to do the promoting yourself until you reach John Grisham status. I have already packed the margins with notes wreaking of greatness. I am now convinced that I'll be on Oprah. Seriously.
As Valentine's Day approaches, I can't help but think back to a spring night a year after I graduated from college when I uttered the words "I love you" for the very first time. The guy was sweet, artistic, and every bit the rock & roll fantasy I'd never experienced as a scholar/ingenue. I'm sure there's a piece of Suzanne Curtis, who lives out a first-time rock encounter, that owes some character development gratitude to the Batlord.
Friday the 13th
I'm back from New York, but I'm not sure I'm back to my senses. I usually
picture my ideal writing life in a Paris cafe. Now, I could see it at
the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan. Throughout the trip, I could just feel
the spirit of the writers who had sat at their round table and made a
life of being smarties.
On the train ride back to PA, I skipped my usual Paul Stanley/sleeper car daydreams for a hard look at my upcoming year. People ask if I'm going to quit my day job when I become successful in my KISSfiction endeavor. The answer has always been a decisive no. First of all, I'd lose my Dean-Next-Door schtick, and honestly, I just didn't see myself getting anywhere beyond my goal of paying off my mortgage (which is a pretty damn good goal, if I do say so).
Things have changed.
Valentine's
Day, 2004
Am I nuts, or am I about to run head-first into unbridled success? Cuz
I'm pretty sure I am.
I went to dinner tonight with a group that meets in one place only on Valentine's Day. From 2/14/03 until now, I've pretty much accomplished everything I said. This afternoon, I started working on a website to advertise my speaking services to anyone who wants to hear someone inspire others to follow their dreams. The page itself is pretty crappy right now, but I love this quote:
"Education
has always been in my blood, but rock & roll makes my pulse beat a
little faster."
~Colette Shaw
February
15, 2004
What do you think would happen if I sold my condo, bought a Winnebago
and went on the road like a rock star -- except with books?
Seriously.
February
16, 2004
Aunt Paula says that geezers live in Winnebagos. Yes, geezers and rock
stars. I could have both. I'd hire someone through AARP to be the driver,
and I'd be the rock book star. It's perfect. A giant corporation
could sponsor the trip, e.g. the Coca Cola Won't Get Fooled Again World
Kick Ass Tour (or maybe something a tad shorter). Could you tell me Katie
Couric wouldn't LOVE this story?
I dined with the fabulous Heidiva tonight. She is amazing. She was such a force in helping and pushing me last fall, and now she's treating herself life a star. I feel even more inspired by her energy.
Old Dominion still hasn't done much publicity for next month's film festival, but I did find this link. I always knew KISSfiction was a feminist crusade.
But back to the story: Think about it some more. Colette, a luxury liner Winnebago, and a sharpie for autographs. The rest of the details will work themselves out later. (continue)
