A couple short questions today, courtesy of my high school friends.
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What was your first impression of Mrs. Chie?
First off, you'll notice that I changed your teacher's name up there to her "codename." That's to make it all seem cooler. Second off, I wondered how long it'd take for you guys to start asking me about her.
Let's see... You realize that it's been many years since I first met Mrs. Chie, and that I've slept since then, right? I mean, I'm almost 34, the brain cells don't work like they used to.
If I recall correctly, Mrs. Chie was actually my hubby's friend first, so I kinda met her through him. I don't really remember exact first impressions, but I do remember the moment I found out she was a high school English teacher. I was working on Avarice at the time (the book that went away to a farm to live with a nice family that loves it) and I asked her, "Hey, do you think you could look at a little bit of this for me?"
Well, looking at a "little bit" of this turned into looking at every scrap of writing I did during the day, as I did it. Mrs. Chie is one of my "alpha-betas", meaning she gets to read every word that comes out of my head at just about the moment that I get it typed down. Before ANYone else. Her advice is always thoughtful and spot-on, and I'd be lost without her.
Do you ever get recognized in public?
Are you kidding? My own family pretends they don't know me in public. (Okay, that's not true.)
No, I don't get recognized in public. I imagine that very few authors do. I mean sure, there's the big ones. Most people would probably recognize Stephen King or J. K. Rowling if they passed them on the street. Stephanie Meyer, maybe. I'd recognize Jim Butcher, but that's 'cause I'm a rabid fan (and because he lives in my city, so running into him isn't unlikely).
But for the most part, I think authors have a rather peculiar kind of fame. I mean, their fans can be just as rabid as any movie or rock star's, but their appearances aren't as...public?
I don't ever envision being chased down the street by a pack of screaming fans. Book enthusiasts (at least in the adult literature world, I make no promises about the YA world) tend to be a little calmer than that.
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AND... Do you know what's coming up on Monday, folks?
That's right, it's NaNoWriMo time!
After much waffling and a few Real Job(tm) scares, it has been determined that yes, I WILL be doing Nano. And I WILL be using Nano to get started on Book 3 of the Jesse James Dawson series (still untitled, of course). I was going to work on a new project, but as time got closer, it just wasn't speaking to me like Book 3 has been.
Thanks to my hubby (and to Mrs. Chie), I've been able to brainstorm and fill the hole in my outline, so really, I'm pretty good to go! In fact, I could start today if I wanted (but that would be against the Nano rules)
If anyone is participating in Nano and wants to buddy me, leave a comment with your username, and I will gladly add you. The more the merrier!
I signed up for the NaNoWriMo.
ReplyDeleteMy username is Trey_M
Thanks for syaing something about it, I had no clue this even existed! It's a good way to get me to stop procrastinating over writing my first novel.
You already got me as a buddy, hon. Am glad you are working on Jesse for Nano.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll be a rabid fan for you if you want, but really...I'm too lazy to chase you down the street. I think flying from LA is good enough. Maybe I'll squeal and throw confetti at you or something, just to give the "true fan" experience? Hmmm...
Come to think of it I suck at this fan thing, I went to your book signing and the only person I squealed at were only college friends. Should work on that, huh...
Trey - I think Nano is something that every writer ought to at least try once. It may turn out to not be your thing, but I still think a lot can be learned from the effort.
ReplyDeleteBesh - The key point is, you CAME to the book signing. ;) S'all that matters.