Diary of a Girl-Next-Door Heavy Metal Novelist

Are you...

...heading to the NY KISS Expo on May 1?

AND

...interested in a free KISSfiction T-shirt

AND

...willing to wear said shirt while not talking smack about me?

CLICK HERE to learn more about how the free shirt giveaway works.

Expo details available at www.starzcentral.com/kissexpo

March 26, 2004
I spent at least two hours at my day job surfing KISS websites. And getting paid for it! Yesterday's journal entry was for real. I was able to talk the VP out of the idea of me painting up and convince him that a KISS lookalike posing with me would be better. Much better.

Carlos is the "Gene" for KISS Nation, a tribute band from New York City. Authentic accents, authentic costumes, and I'd love to find out what else. They appear in "Living the Fantasy" and coincidentally, Carlos had just emailed me this week for information about the documentary. I contacted him today to see if I could talk him into a trip to the Amish country. Miraculously, he said yes. In two days, I pick him up at the train station for the photo shoot. My adrenaline is already gushing through my veins.

...and I was worried that I wouldn't have an opportunity to use up the film from the cameras I bought for the film festival...

March 27, 2004
Everything is set for Carlos's arrival tomorrow. It all seemed a little too easy, so I'll be holding my breath until he walks off the train with a suitcase full of dragon boots.

Tonight I wrote thank you notes to my hosts at Old Dominion. I haven't even been back a week, and it already seems like my trip was a year ago. My sis called tonight to say that she'd listened to the NPR interview from my trip and I sounded fairly intelligent. I watched one of the tv interviews tonight, also, and I think I did well. I hope I receive the same sort of treatment from the press when my book is published.

Speaking of which, I must get back to book work. Glam is great, but deadlines loom.

March 28, 2004
I'm supposed to be working on paperwork that I owe my boss tomorrow. Instead, I'm playing dress-up, trying to find the perfect outfit for tomorrow's photo shoot. My boss's ire will pass. Pictures last forever. Duh.

If my pulse is beating a few extra times each minute, it's because Mr. Espada is in my fair city. I had a lovely dinner with his girlfriend/assistant and him a few hours ago. She is wonderful. As always, I loathe getting to know the tribute guys because I want to cling to my KISS fantasies, but I know when he shows up tomorrow in full garb, I'll be giddy as hell.

March 30, 2004
Yep, I spent yesterday afternoon modeling with a "Gene Simmons" so authentic he literally stopped traffic. I couldn't even count the number of people who wanted their pictures taken with Carlos or the number of nitwits who thought he was actually Gene. I don't count good hearted people who just didn't know the difference among the nitwits; just the boneheads. I've posted some candid photos at my Yahoo Group.

Now I'm snuggled into the most comfortable bed in the world. In case I haven't mentioned it, said bed resides at the Philadelphia Marriott. My day started with me confronting my boss about his (or her) lack of understanding about the KISSfiction project, but ends with me nestled between a magically warm comforter and a set of pefectly soft down pillows. I love living happily ever after.

March 31, 2004
This month kicked the ass of all previous for KISSfiction.com website hits. The site had over 1100 individuals stop by to check things out. That's pretty hot for this li'l old author wannabe. Thanks to everyone who paid a visit.

I spent most of this morning stuffing convention packets and getting to know my fellow higher ed. convention planners. One guy was from Old Dominion, and he told me he'd been in two different meetings last week at which it was announced that "THE Colette Shaw will be visiting our campus." I'm not sure why he didn't ask for my autograph. Jealousy? Honest forgetfulness? Probably he was just sick of my self-importance, in which case I must applaud him.

Kurt Doan found that his and my websites are linked to a Christian heavy metal page. I think I'm on there because I like hard rock and I say "Jesus Christ" a lot. I'm not sure about Kurt. (continue)