Writer, Photographer,

Reasons Why Tuesday Was Fantastic:

So, I’ve never been one to expect money to fall from the sky. I’ve never asked for it, would never depend on it, and never thought I’d be the recipient of a bank-error-in-your-favor type of situation. But I think I changed my mind. 

I recently completed all of my contracts with Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, but got a phone call on Tuesday from Lisa, my boss. She said “you’re not going to believe this, but I ran across some contracts we haven’t paid you for!” Now, I’d definitely notice if I hadn’t gotten paid for two contracts. But try as I might to claim otherwise, Lisa was adamant that they owed me. Finally my brain said to me “Look, just accept it, ok?” And so I did. Thanks for the extra $2,400 bucks, God! In the long run it’s not a ton of money or anything, but it’s something nice that I REALLY wasn’t expecting and didn’t deserve. But I’m not complaining.

Also, this week my iPod chose to completely die. I’ve had it for a few years and have been kinda waiting for a good reason to upgrade. So we had a fun date night that included a new iPod for me, and a nice server at Kabuki who let us order off the extremely cheap and wonderful happy hour menu. 

In general, I have been feeling more like a worthwhile human being this week. I’m making an effort to get away from these four walls and do some fun things, which is helping. Next up: pottery classes! I finally found a shop that offers some sort of class. It’s a one-on-one deal, which wouldn’t be my first choice, and it’s in Riverside. Yes, I indeed live on the outskirts of culture. Oh well, I’ve kinda been missing my quiet car time now that I no longer commute. Anybody want a pot for Christmas?

Today I mailed out some very serious hopes and dreams, by snail mail and electronically.

Snail Mail: After a final read and polish on Sweet Tea for Frankenstein, I’ve mailed it to the Delacorte contest for a first young adult novel. This really seems like a long shot, but I also know that I’ve worked with professional editors on my final product and have integrated some agent suggestions as well. So that should give me at least a fighting chance. Also, they definitely don’t choose a winner every year so that makes me think maybe a ton of people don’t enter this contest. In any case, the winner gets a book contract. With Random House. Pretty much a dream come true.

Electronically: I ran across a job listing this morning that looked absolutely perfect. Completely. It’s for a good publisher, working with children’s imprints, doing work that I have just the right qualifications for. I keep seeing good listings and getting my hopes up, only to not get any sort of contact. I’m really wishing and hoping and praying for this one…it would be in New York so that would require some other things to work out, too. But wow, if everything did work out? WOW!

Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! (and Aunt Jackie!) 

P.S. I am a freelance editor and writer in the Inland Empire. (How was that, Matt?)