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Get your pre-sale copy of Won't Get Fooled Again at Cincinnati KISSfest 2005 and the NY/NJ KISS Expo |
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DIARY OF A GIRL-NEXT-DOOR HEAVY METAL NOVELIST
March
1, 2005
I'm
the luckiest b*tch on earth, but I can feel one of my moments of doubt
coming on. In a few days, the printer of Won't Get Fooled Again
is going to send me a draft of the book layout in order for me to make
sure it's perfect. In my gut, I know I"m going to hate it - not
because it's bad, but because I'm so close to commitment (and my editor
thought Suzanne Curtis
had intimacy problems). This is a small taste of what it's like to be
my boyfriend. Fun, huh?
March
2, 2005
I saw the first draft of the official draft of the book cover tonight.
Oh God, I love it.
24 hours ago, I got a call telling me that the campus at my day job had its third flood of the year. I'm tired of floods, I must tell you. Last time it happened, I sneaked off to see a KISS tribute band the next night. This time, I'm going to catch up on lost sleep and dream about real KISS. The firemen last night weren't quite the same as Paul Stanley in his Firehouse hat. I recommended that the emergency crew consider platform boots next time they invests in uniforms. The chief nodded, but I didn't sense a follow-through vibe. Where is the vision?
March
3, 2005
The next couple months are going to be a marathon at my day job. In
the meantime, layout continues on Won't
Get Fooled Again. I'm trying to field calls from the printer and
pass anything I can off onto the publisher. I just want to say, "Do
what ever you have to in order for the book to be pretty." Anything
deeper than that level of detail gets me nervous. Unfortunately, I have
to make some of the decision myself. The latest: Do I want my name at
the top of every single page of the book? Some authors insist upon it.
I have a big ego, but...
Just when I'm wondering if I have the stomach for this stuff, a woman came up to me at karaoke to tell me that she loves my voice and thinks it sounds like a real CD when I sing. I've gotta tell you, she might be right. I'd be lying, but I'd tell you anyway. All I ask is that you pretend to believe me.
March
4, 2005
I wrote a final fax for Mr. Simmons tonight to let him know the status
of my soon-to-hit-the-press hotter than hell novel and to thank him
for being a damn fine inspiration. I hope I can show my gratitude in
person someday.
Tomorrow, I will start drafting the best press release the rock & roll literary world ever saw. Tonight, I'm going to brush my teeth and turn out the light before 11:30. After a long hard week that included a flood at the day job, a bout of writerly insecurity and a couple really bad hair days, I can say I'm doing just fine. If I can just catch a few Zs, I might even kick some ass.
March
5, 2005
A day in heaven, which in my case means Costco and basketball. Bulk
shampoo and dead-on defense. It was sublime. No wait! It was only marvelous
--- until ------ I ordered a pair of blue suede cowboy boots. THAT was
sublime.
When I got home, an electronic copy of my book had arrived in my In Box. I have a lot of work to do to before I send it back, but I'm looking forward to it. I made notes on the first 12 pages already, and I don't hate reading it as much as I predicted. I think I'll learn to love it again when Jackson Hellam shows up. He has long hair and he's very tall. I think a day of Costco, basketball and boots would have been good for him, too. Now, perhaps he will subliminally invade my dreams.
March
6, 2005
Today was the all-day rehearsal and first performance of the 2005 Faculty
Follies at my day job. I have a funny part and some solo singing lines.
It's fueling my ambition. I want a leading role next year. My sister
reminded me that I should reassess my goal since next year I'll be waaaay
too busy being a famous author. But... but... I could be singing corny
showtune parodies! Some authors do workshops at their book signings.
Maybe I could host a karaoke night at Barnes & Noble while I provide
autographs. Hmmm.
I've read through enough of the formatted manuscript to stop hating it, and tonight the Dream Team of KISSfiction readers also began going through the book to find errors. Lucy, Ramsey and Matt are this week's MVPs. The first update I make will be to make sure they're acknowledged in the opening pages.
March
7, 2005
As soon as I walked outside this morning, I could tell something was
different. It felt like spring. It smelled like spring - and
I could hear birds chirping. When I got to my day job, I saw two doves
building a nest in the window of my office. Their new home was symbolically
perfect. This week is all about peace. The updated book cover arrived
this afternoon and it looks PERFECT! I've made it to page 75 in my final
manuscript review, and I'm still plugging away. The temperatures may
take another nosedive or two, but I know I can make it through the final
days of winter now.
March
8, 2005
Icy rain and biting wind all day. But it was Faculty Follies night!
We did two back-to-back sold-out shows. I belted and emoted, and I'd
like to think I was like Paul Stanley in Phantom of the Opera
- except without the magnificent ass.
Between scenes I edited the final typeset version of my manuscript. I don't hate it anymore. In fact, there were long stretches in which I smiled delightedly at my own literary blather.
March
10, 2005
I was too tired to proofread last night, so I skipped
it. Today, I made some last-minute changes to the cover plan (it will
be matte instead of glossy) and reached the halfway point in reading
tonight. Reader Army, if you're reading this, we have until early
next week to submit notes. If you're reading this, why aren't you reading
Won't Get Fooled Again?
I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I'm actively involved in the production of a very intriguing KISS Nation performance at the NY/NJ KISS & Hard Rock Expo. If I haven't mentioned it, it's because I was afraid I might be worthless on the project other than connecting the band to people who really know what they're doing. This week, though, I felt like a real-live producer. One of my favorite things about making "Living the Fantasy" was the learning curve. When I could actually speak the language of film production, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. I had a smidge of that emotion today. Of course I live in stark fear of letting down the band because I've been a fan for so long, but now I feel like I've actually provided leadership. No matter what, this is a group that won't let down the audience. But why settle for great, when you can have spectacular?
March
11, 2005
I love the fact that even as a grown-up, I get a spring break. I'm off
to DC to see my rocker friends Scot & Patty. (continued)