Diary of a Girl-Next-Door Heavy Metal Novelist

June 23, 2004
In one month, I'll be at my next KISS expo. KISS events are always excellent self-imposed deadlines for tasks that don't have specific end dates. I'm realizing that fixing spots that my artist friend noticed will require me to read my book fairly thoroughly. Excellent. Anyone who isn't reading my book should be jealous. It just keeps getting better.

June 24, 2004
I just got the kick in the ass that I needed. I've been told that having a book cover will be an upcoming priority, but no money can be spent until I secure my copyrights. I think my fear of rejection has been holding me up. No more! While the plumber was fixing my leaky toilets today, I finished all four of my permission letters. I'm going to send one to the woman who secretly helped me with my movie copyrights for feedback, then it's wait, wait, wait... and... SUCCESS.

June 26, 2004
Copyright stuff is almost ready for the mailbox. Tomorrow I'll see if I'm brave enough make copies of the related manuscript pages, which is the final step. As a task, that's the easiest part. As for confidence...

I'm going through some existential soul searching this weekend. My idealism needs to find a new home and I don't know where that will be. At the same time, I feel haunted by my former heroes. In fiction, I delight in flawed good guys. In real life, I prefer to take on the protagonist-fighting-her-demons role myself. I wish I could concentrate on just being a rock & roll author, but I'm cursed with the desire to cultivate humanity. I believe the answer to my questions lies cupped between the two.

June 28, 2004
Q. What do the following have in common?

A. All except #3 are very sexy indeed.

Matt and Joe singing "Man, ya gotta sweat or you won't get far" defies standard definitions of sexy. Matt and I have a special duet in the works for Thursday night. Oh, the humanity.

I'm failing to make book progress, but I have an appointment with my trusted artist friend and a tentative date for a KISSfiction promotional photoshoot with Kurt. Yea for others.

June 29, 2004
Commitment made. I printed up the manuscript pages to go with my copyright letters this afternoon. Bring on the fear.

June 30, 2004
Word on the street (or at least among my aunts) is that I ran off and eloped. For the record: I'm fairly sure it's not true. Since I belong the the Gene Simmons School of Anti-Marriage, the rumor seems unlikely. Then again, I was bragging about my ability to commit yesterday. I'll check it out and have my publicist issue an official statement soon.

I printed up my copyright letters today. Yea for me.

p.s. Mr. ~~Stanley~~ Right and I are registered at the KISS Army Depot. Nothing says congratulations like an "I 'heart' KISS" G-string.

July 1, 2004
Lunch with my artist friend proved fruitful. I feel inspired to get back to work so I can move on to the visual stage.He has great ideas about the art and legitimate feedback about my novel. Excellent!

Even though I'm no fan of the idea of marriage, I'm pretty glad today is the anniversary of my parents' union. I picture them looking over me in my crib saying, "You can grow up to be a rock 'n' roll novelist or a college dean or anything you want." (continue)