July 16, 2008

It’s another warm sunny day in L.A. Earlier I was taking a shower when all of the sudden there was no water. Apparently the water department had forgotten to give notice about doing work in my area. I came out of the shower covered with suds. I was not a happy camper.

I have been working hard for the past three years on my second book and truly miss traveling. I wake up thinking about my work and go to sleep dreaming about it. There are no “oh it’s a Monday and I have to go to work,” or “Thank God it’s Friday,” or I can’t wait for a three day weekend.” For me, it all blends in together into a blur as I sit in my office in front of  my monitor, checking my emails, researching a ton of  data, writing for hours until my eyes are tired, take a break and go at it again.

I finally finished my second draft and gave it to my editor. I have no idea when she’s going to give it back. I know what you’re thinking – now I can relax – BZZZZ – there is no such a word. The saying ‘if you snooze, you lose’ is a fact in the book industry. Now, I look for reviewers, contests, advertising and marketing ideas. I check out regional book shows, go to seminars and catch up with my 1000 emails that I had neatly categorized in separate boxes because I didn't have the time to read everything earlier. You see, when I work, I really have to stay focused. My laundry piles up, I only pay bills that are urgent, I don’t file anything away and instead dump everything in a plastic bag, my room becomes a mess, my car starts to look shabby and friends and family complain about me not keeping in touch.