I'm an auto columnist

I received a call this afternoon from an editor at the News & Record, our area paper.  I write the occasional job-search column for them and fill in on assignments.  So we say our hello's and the editor says, "I wanted to talk to you because we're expanding our auto section."

I laughed.  "I'm scared to wonder how that might even remotely involve me, but please continue." I mean really, I am that woman that if someone asks what kind of car I drive, I say "white."

What they're looking for is someone to write very brief weekly profiles on people who work at dealerships and also a sort of "why I love my car segment."  The hardest part about both pieces is I have to take photos.  I take the world's worst photos.

The schedule and pay rate was explained to me.  "So, are you interested?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.  "If only because I want to inform friends and family that I'm an auto columnist.  Their reactions alone should be worth it."

So come October, baby, rev up your engines, because the auto writer is in town! (As a side note, my personal goal is not to use the term "rev up your engines" in a single column I write.  I still have my pride).

Motivating Quote

Found this yesterday and blew it up to 36 font on a piece of paper I plan on tacking to my forehead:

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn.

No idea who Jim Rohn is, but brilliant man, I must say.

Took a bit of a sideroad last night. A former client of mine I wrote a speech for called and asked what I was doing for the next hour and a half.

"Extremely busy," I said, as I stuffed another Dorito in my mouth.  "Why?"

"My parents 60th wedding anniversary is tonight and I'm supposed to give part of a speech on my father's history and I have all these facts and nothing written and I need it by 6:30 tonight."

"I'm so sorry,"  I said.  "I'd love to help you but I just can't."  And I believed it.  I only wish I were swamped.  "Dead and buried" I think comes closer to describing my situation.  Considering I'm someone who prides herself on her organizational skills and ability to get the job done, the fact that I'm so struggling with this project is scaring the daylights out of me.

Anyway, the client was very nice and said sorry to bother me and we hung up.  I was sad not to be able to help someone in a crunch but felt proud of myself for saying no--something I often have trouble with.

Thirty minutes later the phone rang.

"Did I mention I'll pay you?  Because of course I'll pay you!  How much will it take to have you do this?"

So much for resolve.  It wasn't the money.  It was more I couldn't stand to turn someone down who was pleading for help.  And I really like this client and knew this was a big event.  "Okay," I said.  "E-mail me what you've got."

I took 40 minutes away from the book and worked on the speech.  It was marvelous to actually sit down and accomplish something.  I sent it to her and was worried...a 60th anniversary is a big deal and I hadn't had long to work.  I hoped she could find something to use in what I'd sent.

So I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I got her e-mail telling me I was incredible.  Seriously, it was something I needed to hear in terms of my writing when self-doubt is attacking at every corner.  So where am I going with this?  Simply that things come to us in life for a reason.  I could have said no for a second time, but the benefit I got out of stopping to work on this project far outweighed the time it took away from the book.

Trust life to give you what you need.

Book on its way to printers

We did the final proofread this weekend for Lessons In Stalking.  We're both pretty sick of reading it.  Blair took it upstairs yesterday afternoon to read and I heard a big yawn from him float down the stairs.

"I know you're not yawning while reading my work," I called out.

There was no answer.

Anyway, I'm taking it to the Post Office today to mail to the printer.  I'm not sure I understand the exact process from there, but what I've gathered is a customer service rep will receive and review my materials, make sure everything is in order, then run a sample book and send me the bluelines to proof (yea! We get to read the book again). After I approve them it should be 20 days to print the 2,000 copies.  Then the real fun begins.

I still have so much to do.  I need to get galley copies out to reviewers (I'm like, 4 months late on that) and my website still needs tweaking.  We're having trouble with the autographed portion.  I may just take it off or place a blurb  that says if you want an autographed copy, e-mail me. But then I have to match the e-mails with the Paypal orders and I'm not sure what that would entail.

That all assumes people are ordering! Which they won't be if I don't get some PR work done - sent my site out to websites, book stores, gift shops, etc.  But that will simply have to wait until this book project is through.

I've discovered, to my surprise, that I enjoy focusing on one project at a time.  It's nice to get up and know exactly what it is I'll be working on and then focusing all my energies on that.  I thought it might be boring but there's enough variety in the project itself (research vs. writing vs. organizing) to keep it interesting.

So far I've "written" two chapters with the material I have.  I'm trying to rough out the chapters so I can figure out my outline.  5 more to go.  I may not finish them by the time the outline's due, but I'm hoping to have enough done that I can figure out the remainder of my outline.  Plus, I'd like to turn in what I've completed for early review to make sure I'm on the right track.  It would be a major bummer to turn everything in and find out, "Eh, that's not what we were going for."  AAAAUUUGH!!!!

Okay. Time for coffee and today's exciting chapter of "Cats Around the World."

New laptop

I forgot to mention the big excitement of last weekend (big in our "never go out out, never see anyone, never do anything" world, that is) was that I got a new laptop.  I'm now the proud owner of a 4.3 lb. Sony Vaio.

I am loving the light weight.  The smaller screen takes some getting used to but it's not bad.  Of course the best thing is having wi-fi internet access.  No more being chained to the desk.  Now I can be at Panera or Starbucks or even in our downstairs dining room and still hit the internet.  If I can just remember to keep my cell phone turned on it will be like I'm a real 21st century person.

The funny thing is that now that I have the option of moving anywhere to access the Internet, I'm pretty happy just sitting at my desk. I'm such a grass is greener on the other side person.  Before, I would moan about being tied to the desk and not able to go anywhere, but now that I have the option, eh.  Sitting in one place is not so bad.

Our neighbors are having a garage sale at 7 this morning so we're going to dash over there.  I love garage sales.  I will knock down small children to get to an item I want that's on sale for .50 cents.  Wish me happy hunting.