DIARY OF A GIRL-NEXT-DOOR HEAVY METAL NOVELIST
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October
8 , 2006
It's been a week since the Cincinnati
KISS Expo, and I think I've finally caught up with my sleep. The show
was fantastic. Angelo
Coppola pounded the skins and SSG
rocked the house with Bob Kulick. The headliners, Mr.
Speed, had heard that my favorite song was "Let Me Go, Rock 'n'
Roll" so they stopped the show and made a special dedication. It
was the best! I sold enough books
and documentaries
to meet my sales goals, so the icing topped the cake.
Today, I'm missing the Allentown, PA KISS Expo. That's a bummer, since I moved from close to that area this year. I probably would have seen a lot of old friends. The good news is that I'll be back in two weeks for the Reading, PA Literary Festival.
I'm starting to think that I'm going to miss the 2006 Paul Stanley solo tour. I'd love to hear him play, but the dates just aren't lining up with my professional obligations. I had the first gig of the Colette Shaw Upstate NY Orchestra Tour. I've started playing the drums again, and I'm hoping to turn it into an opening spot on the 2026 Paul Stanley Tour, if he hears about my work.
November
5, 2006
The past month sped by, along with a few firsts. I did my first book signing
event at a Barnes & Noble. Sales were decent, but the corporate giant
receives such a huge discount that after the publisher takes his profit,
I'm pretty much left with crumbs. Another author, who was also promoting
a rock 'n' roll-tinged novel was supposed to be there, but she no-showed.
I therefore feel only slightly guilty for mentioning the typo on the back
cover of her book. (I
also realize that there is probably a glaring mistake in this paragraph
since karma usually wastes no time in biting my ass.)
This week, my name appeared
on the cover of another author's book, the Zinnia Tales
All in all, though, I'm just not feeling the writing. I love my new job, and I find that my contentment almost inhibits my ability to put on the lens of a writer. Once in a while, I notice something that seems "create-worthy," but for the most part, I'm just taking in the environment around me like a normal person. Even worse, the inspiration of KISS diminishes, even though my new Paul Stanley solo CD (quite good!) arrived in my mailbox this week. I have a theory, but I'm afraid to write it.
November
22, 2006
I'm taking off tomorrow for turkey and family. I have so much to be thankful
for this year I can hardly count all my blessings. It's actually killing
me as a writer, and I'm not sure what to do. I think any decent humor
or narrative has to come from a place of conflict. I learned the hard
way that it's best to keep my private life private, and I'm new in my
day job so it wouldn't be terribly savvy to point out the entertaining
foibles of my peers. I don't know what the hell to write about! I'm so
grateful for the people who have read along as I've chronicled my attempt
to finish my novel and find a publisher, and I'd like to find a new obsession
to keep my writing mind nimble. Any suggestions?
Actually, I do have a little material. Like all good divas I finally checked myself in to rehab. I wiped out and messed up my ankle almost 3 months ago, and I'm nowhere near the point of being able to don cute shoes. Now I have a therapist who makes me balance on one foot while standing on a wobbly mat and rolling a purple rubber ball around my torso. It's a little bit Cirque de Soleil and a little bit rock & roll. It's actually not at all rock & roll, but if I can pull on some high-heeled biker boots in a few weeks I'll be singing this therapist's praises. In any case, for the price of a co-pay, I get a professional foot massage twice a week.
November
29, 2006
I'm probably a few pounds heavier since Thanksgiving, but I've been exercising
the heck out of my ankle. Tonight, I walked down a flight of stairs and
didn't have to walk sideways. No more crab walking hopefully means that
I'll be in sexy shoes soon. Rumor has it that my man's office holiday
party is taking place at a karaoke bar. I have a dream...
December
1, 2006
What a great day. I was on such a pace at my day job, trying to get ready
for the return of my students, that I almost had a moment of boredom.
No time for that, though. I had to leave early to make it to my rehab
appointment. I had a substitute therapist this time. She had a bright
smile and a bit of a racist edge. What a combo. It's hard to challenge
someone about bigotry when they have you hooked up to multiple electrodes,
but I did my best.
My man met me at the rehab clinic and we went to his office party. He was a little worried about my desire to sing, and after many months in karaoke retirement, I was nervous, too. Most of Rod's colleagues were in a merry mood, so I got the feeling we were in a safe crowd. I filled out a song slip and carried it around until I shook my butterflies. I sang a duet with one of my man's fun coworkers, and then I had the fever. When the hosts called my name, I was ready to blow the house down.
And I did.
After I sang the first couple lines, the hosts said, "Uh oh. We've got a ringer." I was feelin' the spirit, and the crowd was drunk enough to give applause between verses. Even my shy wonderful man was smiling and giving the "She's with me" look. I felt ten pounds lighter and ten years younger. When I finished, I was ready to head home to watch the Sabres and curl up under a blanket on the couch, but for a moment, I was my other me. The KISSfiction me.
December
7, 2006
I've got my groove going. Yesterday, I did a book
signing - my first event in Upstate New York since I moved. Sales were
good, and I met a woman who organizes book signings for a local library.
I also ran into another writer I've been talking to for a few months,
whose first of three mystery novels is coming out in 2008. He and I are
doing an event together next week, talking about the tricks to making
your dreams come true. I feel ready to start getting my name on the map
in New York, and now I have the inspiration to back it up. Newspapers,
radio... I'm ready.
Faithful reader Mike Nichols reports that he met Peter Criss over the weekend. I could feel the enthusiasm, and I'm psyched to know that someone just had a fantasy come to life. Congratulations!
Bring on the holidays. All I need is a little time. The fire seems to be taking care of itself, and I've got chestnuts to spare.
December
12, 2006
I just got back from giving my first "Making Your Dreams Come True"
workshop since I moved. The audience was great, and my co-presenter was
fantastic. We're hoping to work some of the kinks out and take the show
on the road. I'm just starting to out myself as a KISS fan at the new
place, and so far it feels safe.
On Friday, a colleague from across campus emailed me to tell me that she'd been checking out my website, and that she'd read my favorite day job article back when it was published. She is, coincidentally, the person I replaced in my particular job at the University, and I've always said she was my first predecessor who was very popular -- which I like. She set the bar high. If I can follow her footsteps, I'll be very lucky.
Thanks to all those folks who have found KISSfiction.com because you're Googling the words "Ashlee Simpson hair." I've had more hits at one of my favorite old entries than I can remember.
December
16, 2006
One year ago today, I drove to Upstate New York to meet the guy I thought
I might spend the rest of my life with. Two months later, I came again.
That time, I packed my cats. So far, so great. Tonight, my pop is coming
to visit and see me play with my new orchestra, near my new day job.
My sis is getting the same tickle of ambition I've been feeling. She just reopened her website to announce that she's coming out of marathon retirement and putting miles on her sneakers. Please go sign her guestbook and tell her KISSfiction sent you. Using her as a role model, I spoke to a former colleague about putting my momentum where my mouth is. I love my day job, but now that I can see the end of my teaching cycle for the year, I'd like to keep my creative synapses firing and maybe brush the dust off my consulting business. Not to mention, I need to get my NY book promotions rolling.
Tonight, though, I think I'll just celebrate my anniversary. (continue)
