Feeling Twitchy, Punk?
Feeling a bit brain fried. I spent Monday with my mother at one of those appointments that last from lunch to dinner. Woke up on Tuesday to no internet.
I know...no email, no Facebook update, no blog comments.
I was getting twitchy, considering harassing my cable company when I told myself to be calm, I could still up my word count on my latest masterpiece.
Wow. Talk about spewing out the words when there is nothing else to do. Well, I could have cleaned, but well...come on...I wasn't that twitchy.
Then, like magic it came back on!
Wow. Talk about spewing out the words when there is nothing else to do. Well, I could have cleaned, but well...come on...I wasn't that twitchy.
Then, like magic it came back on!
I had a lot to get caught up. I'm headed to Atlanta at the end of the month for the Novel Experience Event and there are still so many loose ends to tie up. How to sell eBooks? Pay Pal Here or Square? Do I have enough swag? Enough books?
And seriously...am I really insane enough to take the hubs along with me and let my house full of teens care for themselves for a weekend?
Sure two of them are adults, but still...LMFAO*s Shots seems to be getting an awful lot of play time in our house lately.
Sure two of them are adults, but still...LMFAO*s Shots seems to be getting an awful lot of play time in our house lately.
But still...they're good boys.They're honor students. Don't I trust them?
Sure...about as far as I can throw them.
So, as part of my final arrangements...I let our chief of police know: the party is NOT at the Seckman's house that weekend. If he sees a lot of juvenile traffic headed up our hill, feel free to kick some booty.
Yeah, being small town has its advantages.
:)
:)
Any advice? Tips for doing a writer's conference? It's my first, can you tell?
* For your viewing displeasure, I've added the LMFAO's "Shots".
Even censored, it's enough to make a grandma cluck her tongue and a mother develop an ulcer.
That was a great idea to notify the police chief!! Thankfully my kids are still little and I don't have to make those decisions, yet. But I live in a small town too; my kids won't be able to get away with crap! My neighbors watch out for each other like hawks. Once, when The Husband was out of town and I didn't feel like cooking, I decided to order Chinese food, sort of late (around 9:00 p.m.) Do you know I got three phone calls from 3 different neighbors telling me there was "a stranger" creeping around my porch. It was the take out guy waiting on me to get my money together and answer the door. My neighbors, were a breathe away from jacking the poor delivery guy up- I'm telling ya, my kids don't stand a chance. HA!!
ReplyDeleteThat is funny! Yeah, if I were having an affair or trafficking drugs, the small town know-it-all-ness could wear me down, but as for raising kids? It's awesome. When my four were little, they were trick or treating and three of them knocked on a door that was strange to them and the lady came out and said, "Where's the fourth C (they all have names that start with C) boy?" They were stunned the lady knew them...even in masks. I warned them right then, everywhere you go, people in this town will know you and they will report everything you do. That's small town life.
DeleteI worry about the day I leave my husband and son alone! Have fun at the convention. Don't stress too much about it. :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband is the wild card. Every really stupid thing my guys have done has started with...Dad said...
DeleteA houseful of teens? Are you out of your mind? I've never been to a writers' conference, just a workshop.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I may be Janie!! Though one is kind enough to inform me that he will be twenty next month. I guess that's supposed to make me feel better.
DeleteHmmmm is your house insurance payments up to date? You may need it lol hopefully the convention is grand.
ReplyDeleteOMG!! That is due at the end of March. Thank you so much for the reminder Pat!!!
DeleteFunny post! I spent a whole week at a writer's retreat/conference a few years ago; it was pretty intense! My two are girls - not sure if that makes it any easier to leave them alone... or harder!
ReplyDeleteI vote harder. At least I know my guys are all over 200 pounds and each bench presses 300 pounds. Whatever happens will be by their choice. When I was touring my sons college with their unmanned college transit system, I was so happy to have boys. If I had girls, they'd def be mace packing ladies!
DeleteHave fun at the conference and don't worry about your boys being home by themselves.....besides....
ReplyDelete...what can go wrong?? (cue ominous music!)
Could be worse Mark...I could leave their father home with them. He's the rottenest one in the crew.
DeleteOooh, you're brave. A houseful of kids. Not sure I'll ever trust mine enough... Sorry, that's not very encouraging is it? They'll be fine, enjoy your weekend. I wish you lots of sales, new readers and glowing praise, because you deserve it :-)
ReplyDeleteNo, not very at all...LOL. I have family a block away. They will be fools to try something. But they are teens and foolishness is in the DNA...
DeleteThanks for the good wishes. Hugs to you Annalisa! You're a mighty good friend.
You did the right thing covering your bases before you leave those kids alone for the weekend. Have fun at the conference Liz and sorry about the burn outs...it happens.
ReplyDeleteI like to think I've outsmarted them at most of their games. In about twenty years, they will no doubt let me know everything they got away with!!
DeleteI feel you on the internet thing. I'm plugged in so much I should just plug an ethernet cord in the back of my skull. Even if my cable internet goes down or I leave home, I have blazing fast 4G lol.
ReplyDeleteIs my drooling at your blazing fast 4G a sign of addiction? I have zero internet on my phone. It would cost me $15 more a month and I am a tight wad. Well, actually...I'm feeding four teens...I'm just broke!!
DeleteI can't wait to hear how it goes! I was so stoked to come join you, and then my hubby and I decided to build a house. Uh...yeah. We're not going anywhere for a while, or at least until the down payment is made. *sigh* I'm looking forward to an epic post afterwards with all the details. =)
ReplyDeleteYeah but a new house...that is pretty awesome. I'm seriously disappointed that you might have been there :(
DeleteOne day, we have to all get together. It will be a blast!!
I bet you have great kids. I have never been to a conference yet, just hasn't fit into the budget. But some day! Can't wait to hear how it goes for you.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about that "twitchy" feeling without Internet, but I'm going to try to do a little more self-imposed restraint. It can be such a time sucker!
I do have great kids, Julie. They do me proud...even after I made mistake after mistake.
DeleteI need better restraint. You know I have serious issues when I start telling myself that Facebook personality quizzes is part of platform building. LOL
LOL!! I love that you talked the police chief and gave him a heads up :) That IS a major small town advantage! And sometimes I wish I could make myself turn off the internet, too. I think I'd get a lot more done...
ReplyDeleteI know I got a lot more done. I am a message checking junkie!
DeleteWow it sounds like March attacked you, too. At least it was only one day. ;) Yay for using the down time for writing!
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's a good thing to always have a lot that needs done :)
DeleteDespite being old enough to be a great grandmother, I actually enjoyed Shots although I could have done without the video, the music made me want to dance though. Hope all goes well whilst you are away.
ReplyDeleteIt is a catchy song. Very upbeat and fun. Yes, the video is quite Hollywood smutty.
DeleteMy kiddo is only nine so I already know she'll have to be with dad the next time I head off for a writer's conference. As for tips, I have to say it was cool having extra swag and candy and things to giveaway when I did mine. Make sure to take a nice sized sign/standing banner (which you can order from Vistaprint) that helps to draw attention to you. Last time I had a sign, but not a big one. I did have candy so that drew a few extra peeps. And yes, you can use PayPal for sells.
ReplyDeleteI got the same size sign I use for regular signings. But I think I went too small after seeing all the banners people on the site have been posting. But oh well, it's a live and learn moment. Candy is a great idea. I would pause for candy.
DeleteThanks Angela!
I'm having that kind of week too except it has been a couple of weeks now. I like your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'll quit whining then! I had a day, not a week.
DeleteThanks for stopping by :)
My tip - relax and have a good time. Have something vertical for attention. I always say boredom is great for my writing. I usually have candy too, but I haven't done many. Talk and chat to people. Realize you may do more networking than selling. And I'll repeat, have fun.
ReplyDeleteYou're brave leaving them alone... we could not leave my stepson alone... shuddering...
We've left the oldest home alone. He's a good kid. He will probably keep better control over the place than I can.
DeleteI think you're right about the having fun. And you're right, it is about networking. And it's a chance to finally meet some of my online peeps. That really is the highlight!!
Conferences are so much fun! Just be yourself because you are already out going! Talk, share, have fun! You will love it! And I think your amazing boys will be okay, so take the hub with you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Leigh!! Yeah, I wanted to bring the hubs to lug the books and maneuver the traffic...sounds pretty sexist, huh?
DeleteWhen I have no internet, I spend about a half hour playing with the plugs and modem and restarting the computer. Then I'm on the phone with my ISP. If they says it's a blackout, I'm using my hotspot.
ReplyDeleteThat's some party in the video. I'm sure that won't happen at your house when you're away. :)
My kids do that Medeia! They totally panic when it goes down. Probably what is wrong with my speakers, come to think of it. I am so bad at computer stuff, I always call the number first and then start fiddling with cords.
DeleteIsn't that quite the party? Yeah, it's videos like that that make me say no to any college student still living on my dime heading off to Florida for spring break.
Good luck, enjoy the conference, nothing like face-to-face networking! Enjoy your creative moments.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to get put from behind the keyboard and meet other writers and readers!
DeleteDid I comment on this before? I meant to! Anyway, don't be afraid to talk to people. This is a great opportunity to network...and meet new peeps who share a similar interest and goal!
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right. I will be nervous at first, but I am a talker at heart!
DeleteI've never been to one either. Hope you have fun. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's a post that might help. It has a few links, too.
http://natashahanova.com/conference-anyone/
Thanks Melissa! I'll check that out :)
DeleteWhew! Elizabeth, just getting around to visiting and all that other stuff myself—picking through my reader...life's been a whirlwind. Heck, I barely have time to post at all. You've got a lot of excitement on your plate ahead. Congrats and good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh...and I was an honor student. That's all I'm saying. :)