Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul

It's here. My humor story "Under Dawg" was one of the 60 stories selected for the newly released Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul from among thousands of entries sent in across the nation. I received my contributor's copy in the mail a few weeks ago and finally read the book this weekend. It's good. Better than I expected. Being published in an American Idol book is kind of one of those, "I'm thrilled and totally embarrassed at the same time" scenarios. There goes my cover story that I only watch PBS.

But now having read the book, I'm happy to be a part of it. My favorite stories aren't from the contestants. They're from the behind-the-scenes crew like the hair stylists and dressers.

I actually wrote this story years ago--well before I ever knew there would be a Chicken Soup book on it (although really, we all should have known...). It was just one of those stories I scribbled down because I found it amusing and didn't want to lose the moment. I love it when a story pays off. Plus, it's now my second Chicken Soup book. (First one was Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul.)

I just spent the better part of an hour shooting out press releases to local media. And realized after I'd sent out the 20 e-mails that I refer to the book as "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Lover's Soul," when the title is actually, "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul."  Phooey.

I'd better start work on my next story. I plan to enter it in the Chicken Soup for People Who Send Out Incorrect Press Releases book. Wish me luck!

No E-Mail Gets The Job Done

I had a FANTASTIC morning. Why? No e-mail. I'm working on a book proposal and have been distracted for days, pulled this way and that by projects and always, always responding to incoming e-mail like a starved dog being thrown a steak.

So last night I made a vow: no e-mail until my work is done. I sat down at the dining room table and started work at 7:30 this morning and--aside from quick trips to the kitchen for coffee refills--didn't move until noon. And got a ton of work accomplished.

The complication of e-mail is that even if I don't respond immediately to an e-mail, just knowing it's out there can slow me down. In the back of my mind I'll be thinking about what I need to pull together for a response, how long it will take, by what time I need to make sure it goes out, etc.  It's like a constant chorus in the back of my head. But no checking... no chorus. Just the sweet sound of work being completed in a timely fashion.

I wonder if I could hold out every day until noon before I check e-mail? And should I be concerned that even the thought of such restraint sends shivers of dread down my spine?  Still... there's no arguing my productivity level skyrockets without it.

Let's give it a try! I hereby declare next week has "No e-mail checked before noon week." The one exception I will make is on Wednesday where my schedule is filled with meetings and the only slot I have free to check it is between 10-11. But other than that, nada. And you all must keep me honest. Check the times on the e-mails I send you and shoot me "Cheater, cheater, pumpkin-eater" e-mail if the time is before high noon.

However, I am still allowed to get up at 3 a.m. and check for messages. A girl can't be denied all her fun.

Cheers,

Dena

Happy Halloween!

Ah--the best day of the year. Halloween, when one is encouraged to eat chocolate.

My little husband has been working like a madman all week to pull together our Hogwarts set. He has sewn and painted his own Dumbledore costume. He has painted and chopped and nailed together a bunch of 8 foot poles that will be the framework for our castle wall.  The last two nights have been spent making a sorting hat, Dumbledore hat, and Dumbledore beard. He's coming home early today as we have close to two hours of work ahead of us to get the frame and scenery and costumes in place.

I've just realized I've neglected to carve a pumpkin (or even buy one) so that's on my list for the afternoon. I love a to-do list that has:

1. Research FOB section
2. Work on book proposal
3. Carve spooky pumpkin face
4. Write rough draft of speech

I'll take photos tonight and post for tomorrow's blog.

On a good note, Lucy had her annual exam yesterday and has LOST WEIGHT. That's right. My girl is now down to a svelte (okay--less fat) 14.2 pounds.  When we were at the vet and he told us she'd lost weight, I gave Lucy a kiss and said, "Good girl! You get a treat when you get home." This prompted a "I think we're beginning to see the roots of the problem here" comment from the vet. What-ever. =)

A safe and spooky Halloween to you all.

Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings

About a month ago, I was asked if I would provide a back-of-book blurb for a new cat book coming out called "Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings."  The author mailed me the manuscript and--as I found the writing and pictures to be fun and enjoyable--it was easy to provide a blurb. I mailed my comments back to the author in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope she'd sent along with the manuscript.

When I went to check the mailbox yesterday, there was a medium-sized box addressed to me from the author. I opened it up and it was as if Christmas had come early. The first thing I opened was her thank-you letter. She'd taken pictures of Cat Mulan "opening" and "reading" my letter, including little quotations like, "It's from Dena!" and "Yes, uh-huh, excellent. Very good." It was laugh out loud funny.  Tucked inside the box were then kitty toys galore. There's also a cat mug and wrapping paper with Cat Mulan's image on them.  It was like the bottomless box as I kept pulling one thing and then the next out.

It was incredibly sweet and fun, more so because I wasn't expecting it in the least.  I find her thoughtfulness touching.  It's also smart networking on her part. I'm giving a talk in November (along with my good friend Pam Cable) on "Publicity, Promotion, & Pulling Your Hair Out," at the NC Writers Network Fall Conference. This is a good example of a small thing an author can do to make a difference. Will I remember this author now? Yes. Will I think kindly toward her? You betcha.

Meanwhile, Lucy & Olivia are having fun with their new toys. And I think they're jealous their own images aren't (yet) on a mug. I'm working on it girls... I'm working on it.