9.12.11

It has been a Monday.

I've been scattered, smothered, and covered with Stuff. Fighting with iPhoto. Firefox crashed at least six times while I was trying to write a blog for next week answering some of Rachel's questions. (No, I haven't forgotten - you raised two interesting points that are blogs unto themselves, so I'm posting them next week for the launch-a-palooza.)

I started an interview multiple times, and kept finding myself in the midst of other things. My iPhone doesn't have the right capacity to handle all my music, so as I was making a smaller playlist for it, I hit the wrong button and erased all the music, so it's in massive sync mode. A firetruck plowed into the neighborhood, scaring me half to death, but it was a false alarm at a neighbor's house. (And much too early to see said neighbor in boxers, and nothing else.)

There was a full moon last night, wasn't there?

Sometimes, these crazy, disquieting days are helpful, because you manage to get bits and pieces of multiple projects done. Like laundry, and email, and kitty cat skritchies, and more email, and now this blog.

Only took three hours, but I finally settled my ass down and got things taken care of. Finished the interview. Wrestled the pictures I need together. Managed to have Firefox stay open long enough to get a few other things done. Got the phone synched and working. Wrote this.

So. With that. Here's a link to an interview I did with Lorna Suzuki - she was very kind and asked all kinds of fun questions!

And I'm doing a live radio interview tomorrow with one of my favorite people - Kim Alexander from Siruis/XM Cover to Cover. So tune in!

3 pm EST/ 2 CST/ 1 MST/ 12 PST   Sirius/XM Channel 80

Now need to fold clothes, get manicured and pedicured, pack and charge things, and, and and and and....

See you tomorrow. Hopefully there will actually be a word count! Because really, I is a writer.

9.11.11

We will never forget.

9.9.11

Are you a scrapbooker? Good at collecting all those little mementos: ticket stubs and photos and pieces that define your life?

I'm not. I'm actully terrible at it. Having digital photos, and online photo albums was possible the single best invention of my life, because I can finally have some semblance of rhyme and reason to my pictures.

When I first started out in publishing, I saved EVERTHING. If it had my name on it, I saved it. But I never organized any of it, so it simply grew into yet another unmanageable pile of magazines and newspapers and photos and clippings that ultimately got stashed in a storage footstool.

In the back of my mind, I told myself I'd sit down one day, cut everything out, put it in a scrapbook, and have it as a keepsake.

And the pile grew larger. Years passed. I couldn't put the top on the footstool anymore, so I started offloading into plastic bins. THAT'S when I knew I needed to do something. But my time is short enough right now. I couldn't do it myself.

I needed a professional.

I told Randy that I wanted to hire a professional scrapbooker, and he had a solution. He'd seen Project Girl on Facebook, and suggested I give her a call.

I did just that. Project Girl came to the house, saw the mess that was my stuff, showed huge enthusiasm for the project, set me a task of culling the piles into 6, one for each book. I followed her instructions, she retrieved said stuff, and with a whip of her hair and what I think must be a magic wand, she produced three incredible scrapbooks.

She brought them by Wednesday. Here is a small sample of what they look like - but let me assure you, the pictures don't do them justice. It made me cry, actually, seeing all of these moments in one place. When I'm old and gray, I'll be able to flip open those pages and be transported back in time to the beginning of my writing career. Trust me, that is a Good Thing.

Do you need some help? Project Girl can handle most anything you need, from scrapbooks to decorating to moving to home repair to landscaping. She is a Jill of all trades. Get in touch with her here, and tell her JT sent you!

9.8.11

I have not been writing.

God, I hate to admit that.

But it's true.

And it's becoming readily apparent to the folks around me, because I've been getting grumpy.

It's the two weeks leading up to the book launch, and as such there are many things to do. Blogs to write, newsletters to send, speeches to give. Hair to color, nails to get manicured, outfits to plan. Appearances and television and radio and signings and a conference - all in the span of two weeks. I'm already sick of myself, and I've been at it for exactly 24 hours.

It's crazy making, especially for introverts like me who get very run down being on, on, on. Sparkle! Author Girl is in da house! I adore it while I'm doing it, but when I'm done, I literally collapse.

And in all that, I sometimes lose sight of the end game. The only real responsibility I have is planting my butt in the chair, opening the manuscript, and writing.

I took the opening chapters of the sandwich book to my critique group last night. They loved it. Loved it so much that all I wanted to do was run home and dive into the pages and create, create, create!

But right now, my time is not my own. For the next few weeks, my time belongs to you - you lovely creatures!

I had my first major event yesterday - I spoke at Ingram - and a more wonderful group of people you can't ever hope to meet. They were fabulous - laughed in all the right places, made me feel like I sort of knew what I was talking about. I signed a ton of books and felt like maybe I could pull this off after all.

Because truly, if you're an introvert writer like me, you have a tendency to worry that you'll say or do something idiotic at just the wrong time. Hmm, is that introversion, or just being a geek?

The first time I talk about a book in public is terrifying. Terrifying. But it went really well. I was bummed that I didn't remember my very funny making anecdote until today.... but at least I'll have it for the rest of my talks. 

I'm off to create the newsletter, in which we will have a contest, and a prize, a simple one this time, but a prize nonetheless, and put together the photo slideshow, and... and... and....

And maybe, just maybe, I can sneak in some actual writing time this weekend. : )

Anything y'all are particularly interested in hearing about related to WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE? Ask away!

9.5.11

So much to do, so little time.

We are finally home. It's raining and cloudy, a little cool. The cat has taken up permanent residence in my lap, and I'm plowing through a to do list that is longer than my arm. The new book launches in just 15 days, which means between now and 9.20.11, there are billions of things to do.

But today is Labor Day, the official end to summer. When I was growing up, Labor Day meant the pool closed, we had a huge barbeque for the whole park, and school started Tuesday.

I still stick that that schedule. I'm a September to August planner rather than January to December.

So tomorrow begins my new year. Today is the catch up day - email, interviews, essays, schedules. Tomorrow, I start fresh. A clean slate.

With that in mind, I like to read over this great essay by Thom Singer. My DH first showed it to me, and it encapsulates my mindset, my attitude, and my goals. I thought I'd share it with you today. Happy New Year!

41 Things I've Learned By 40

June 8th marks my 40th Birthday. Here are 41 pieces of advice that I have learned along the way:

41. Don't worry too much about what others think about you.

40. Everyone has an ego. Tread lightly as to not bruise them.

39. Nothing produces results as much as taking action.

38. Don't gossip. What you say will always find its way back to the person.

37. People do business with people they know and like.

36. Jealous and petty people are just part of life.

35. Say "please" and "thank you". It will make you stand out from the crowd.

34. When you need help, ask someone.

33. Having written goals is an important step [toward] achieving your dreams.

32. Over using credit cards will stall your financial future.

31. A supportive spouse is worth her weight in gold, and then some.

30. A true friend is excited for you about any event that makes you happy.

29. True friends are rare and should be cherished.

28. No job is secure. Have a "plan B"

27. Always find the best in others people. Do not focus on their flaws.

26. You are not what you drive or what you wear. Do not judge others by their cars, clothes or zip code.

25. You are a "brand". No matter what you do it effects your reputation.

24. Luck does not happen by accident.

23. Start saving money when you are young. 10% of your income should always go to your 401K.

22. Dedicate time to think about your future. Know what success looks like.

21. You cannot love your kids too much!

20. Treat everyone with respect. You never know when they might circle back into your life.

19. If you are not knowledgeable about wine...Don't fake it.

18. Be-friend your competitors.

17. Regardless of your political beliefs - attend a presidential inauguration once in your lifetime. The whole thing is very cool.

16. Find a mentor.

15. Be a mentor.

14. Staying physically fit gets harder as you get older. But do it anyway.

13. You do not have to be smart to be successful. Tenacity trumps intelligence.

12. Having a strong network of professional contacts is the best career safety net.

11. Read a lot of books, magazines, websites, blogs and newspapers. Knowledge is power.

10. Writing a book is hard work. Promoting a book is harder work.

9. Develop your public speaking skills. Join a Toastmasters group and participate actively for two years.

8. There is no substitute for integrity.

7. Have friends who challenge you to be a better person.

6. If you know someone who wrote a book, read it. The biggest compliment you can give an author is to read what they wrote.

5. Helping others always come back to benefit you.

4. Find a good lawyer, accountant and banker before you need them.

3. Learn to cook.

2. Opportunities exist. You just have to look for them.

AND THE NUMBER ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED:

#1 - Those who have achieved REAL success in life (financially, emotionally and spiritually) will never criticize your dreams and aspirations. Instead they will look for ways to share their own experiences to help lift you up to higher levels. Successful people are rarely jealous and welcome the achievements of others.

As with all free advice....remember, you get what you pay for.

Have A Great Day.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Thom Singer
www.thomsinger.com
thom@thomsinger.com