Diary of a Girl-Next-Door Heavy Metal Novelist

May 1, 2004
If I can make it here, I'll make it anywhere. That's for sure. What a strange day. From the squabbles among KISS fans to the racist woman who stood right in front of me and yelled hateful blather at KISS Nation's "Ace"... What was in the air this weekend? Isn't the KISS community the place where every freak can feel at home?

Maybe my patience is short because tonight marked the final performance of KISS Nation's "Paul" and "Eric." Maybe the kickoff of my new month's resolution is already getting on my nerves. No red meat, no deep fried foods, no soda and (eventually) exercise... Dang.

In better news, I made my first KISSfiction money today. My accountant will be glad to hear that. My pocket sure was.

May 2, 2004
Despite the way-cool room I had at the hotel and the throng of KISS fans who converged on NY, I'm glad to be home. I'm feeling strong urgency to get things done with Won't Get Fooled Again. I can't go to many more KISS gigs without an actual book. I've started letting the release date slip just to let people know the project is legit. The New York fans are a tough crowd, so I think I'm more nervous than usual. At least here in PA I have home court advantage.

Brush with greatness that was actually cool? I had drinks with the "celebrities" booked for the expo on Friday night, but I must admit that I couldn't have cared less. It was much more fun when after a number of double takes, I asked a dude, "Who are you and why do you look so familiar to me.

"I was on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," he said. I don't know if he would have passed the Fab Five's
inspection, but he did look hot.

May 3, 2004
I've worked out 2 days in a row. Is that some kind of record? - because I think that it is. I'm hoping to exhaust myself enough to get a few hours of sleep. Last night I made the mistake of watching "The Ring." It's a 2-hour freak out. Not only was I too petrified to sleep, when I went out tonight, I left my lights on in my condo so I wouldn't have to walk through the dark when I got back.

Book progress in some areas is too slow and in others too fast. I have a number of artists expressing interest in the cover design, but editing is slow. I don't want to have a cover for a crappy book. Somewhere the content quality and aesthetics will converge. That will be a great day.

May 4, 2004
From my website to God's ear... Apparently, all I have to do is wish something in writing and in the click of a mouse, I receive a response. Editorial feedback, both formal and informal arrived. There is an implied message that I need to haul ass on changes if I'm to reach my goal publication date. Consider it done. Just to be on the safe side, I've solicited help from Not-So-Secret Reader. She's moving away soon, and I'm so sad! She's been a huge huge help.

I'm on day 3 of my exercise regimen. My ass is getting firmer as we speak. As I've learned, a good picture gets more media attention than a perfectly worded press release. Speaking of which, the article from last August's Intelligencer Journal is posted once again on news sites from Houston, TX and Guatemala. What gives?

Did I mention I got a ticket to see KISS today? Last year, I missed the band when they came through town. No more of that b*llsh*t. My sis and I are now going to try to convince my brother and sis-in-law to go see the hottest ass band in the world in Tampa. Paul Stanley and Paul Shaw in one arena? There's a joke in there somewhere.

May 5, 2004
I had a chance to read through some editorial feedback tonight. It's RIGHT ON. The easy parts are the micro things (awkward sentences, etc). Some of the story feedback will require more work. I think a meeting with Kurt Doan is in order.

I was recruited for a music trivia Dream Team tonight. We won. Yawn. Is this how Michael Jordan used to feel?

May 6, 2004
I got the writing gig I wanted. I'll have a byline on a monthly KISS-related article coming soon. Now I struggle with the decision of whether or not to use a pen name. It's not like my identity won't be obvious, but I worry sometimes about readers from the day job.

I was in a meeting with my friend, fellow-writer Kurt Doan this morning. We had some extra time, so I told him to think about some specific information I need to add to Won't Get Fooled Again in order to fill out Suzanne Curtis's character development and add tension to the conflict. Kurt needed only fraction of a second before he started rapid-firing ideas at me --- all of them fantastic. I knew he was the man for the job. I haven't seriously reworked my manuscript in a while. I can't wait to blow the dust off.

My Aunt Paula, the creator of the Tootsie Chase mystery series, is having a similar onslaught of creative energy and success. You should consider booking her for an engagement. She customizes her interactive programs for all ages and events. My sister also nailed down an ongoing writing assignment for a runners' publication. I don't know anyone in the world who can compete with me in the good Genes department.

May 8, 2004
Despite staying up until the wee hours of the a.m. to work on my first (of hopefully many) KISS-related articles, I feel remarkably energetic. Is it the lack of red meat? carbonated soda? deep fried food? Unfortunately, I think my vim relates to the addition of exercise to my life. Doggone it. (continue)

June 8, 2004 Mr. Simmons Releases: A**HOLE