Not Working
Right at this very moment, I’m taking a break from writing. Waiting to hear how much my editor loved the manuscript I sent her back in May or June or whenever it was. Feeling happy that the cover is beautiful, unsurprised that they changed the title… Secret bonus preview for Gwenworld readers only: The title is Better with You Here. It’s about a single mom who meets other single moms and then undergoes some drama. It’s a little more serious than my previous novels. (Songs of experience vs songs of innocence.) But it’s not out until May of 2012, so I’ll wait to say more until closer to then.
Every time I write a novel, I gain ten pounds, like a bear in a cave. So I’m trying to lose that now. I’m trying to have a lot of fun and relaxation, real fast, before I start writing my next book. Because I do have a next book in mind, and I already promised to write it. So I’m torturing myself now. Every day, I’m like, “No, don’t start writing it yet. First you have to relax some more and have more fun.” It’s difficult, living like this. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on, relaxing and having fun and not writing. We’ll see how long it lasts.
Some stuff is happening later in the year that I’m not supposed to tell y’all yet, so pretend I didn’t say anything. Right now I’m teaching a class at Houston arts organization MECA, and that’s really fun. Once a week, I hang out with 20-25 kids ages 10 through 14, and I nag them to make their own graphic novels and chapbooks. Or, actually, I nag them to slow down and not make their books too quickly. Because they’re all clever and have good ideas, and it’s my job to make sure they get through the whole project successfully. Local comic store Bedrock Comics donated books to our class for the kids to use as inspiration. Poets & Writers is underwriting part of the course, making it possible for me to be there. Someone else is chipping in for art supplies, I think. Maybe it’s the City of Houston. I have some really nice college kids coming in and volunteering, sitting with the kids and helping out. Local artist Diana Muniz co-teaches the class, coming up with applicable lessons and reminding me that the kids need occasional restroom breaks and such. Like I said — it’s lots of fun. I’m hoping everyone finishes their books and we can have a little reading/reception at the end. The whole purpose of the class is to teach kids project management skills — to get them to do something from conception to completion, and to feel the sense of accomplishment one earns from stuff like that. And if they manage to sell their books and make a few bucks afterwards, even better. We’re focusing on “sense of accomplishment” more than profit, because we don’t want them to come away with unrealistic expectations about careers in the arts. Heh.
I guess I was lying when I titled this “Not Working.” I’m always working, but right now it’s only for 8 or 10 hours a day. But soon, like I said, things will have to return to normal. I’ll quit being lazy and start writing again.
Y’all save your pennies for the novel (and kids’ book) in May. You’ll read through them really fast — in less than 100th of the time that it took me to write them. And i’ll already be running behind on the next book for you to gobble up. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
