From Bunny Slippers to Business Plans
What a week.
On Monday, I braved a bus ride into the city in order to interview for a sweet-sounding part-time gig with a web magazine I’ve always admired. Both the office environment and the job description were even more compelling than I [Read more…]
Last night, I watched my CNN segment air on the local news and — as I sat there cringing while the camera zoomed in on the framed engagement photo hanging on the wall — it hit me: Not only am I potentially embarrassing myself, but I’m also potentially embarrassing my family. Who wants to be associated with the slightly overweight shopaholic who lied to her husband about her purchases, eventually racking up thousands of dollars in debt!? Luckily, my family is understanding, and excited about the media attention I’ve received. My mother half-jokingly told me she thought I did well…but was glad I was identified by my married name. Thank god because, as a writer (and especially as a sex writer), almost everything I do revolves around self-disclosure.
Aside from that bit of excitement, the week wasn’t incredibly productive. I’ve been sick, and have felt less than motivated. But I did squeeze some reading in:
It’s been quite the week. I’ve welcomed a news crew into my home. Gotten started on my career coaching certification program. Upped my posting frequency. Drawn up some lofty goals. And all while coming down with something I fear is the flu. Here’s hoping I can keep up with everything I have planned for myself. At least if I crack under, you’ll have these writers to turn to:
What a week. I made headway on my book proposal and started my career coaching certification program. And this weekend, I’m visiting the last huge chunk of wineries in NJ for my regional magazine piece. I feel pooped, but it’s a good kind of pooped. What helped and inspired me along the way? Check it:
Ah…the end of another rollercoaster of a week. On the frustrating end, I’ve continued to get mixed signals from a client who doesn’t know what he wants, forcing me to consider walking away forever. On the more exciting end, I’ve decided to recast the ebook I’ve been working in into a book proposal, and plan to send it around to agents by the end of the month (someone: threaten me with an awful punishment so that I don’t flake out). Plus, I have pieces coming out in both Time Out NY and NY Press in the coming weeks, and I’ve finally received my starting materials for my career coaching certification program (!!!). Oh, and I’m about leave on a trip to South Jersey, which will serve as both vacation and research trip as my husband and I visit a number of wineries in both the Atlantic City and Cape May areas. Whee!
Before I go, though, here’s this week’s link love:
This week’s link love is quite brief, but that’s probably best. After all, I’m about to set out for two more vineyards (in hurricane/tornado weather no less)! Wish me luck!
It’s been quite the month, but I can finally breathe again. Thursday was the last day of my temporary, on-site proofreading gig, and Friday was the due date of a legwork-heavy magazine article. Since then, I’ve (finally) signed up for a career coaching certification program, and also turned my attention to another legwork-heavy magazine article (and by legwork, I mean traveling all over my home state and drinking lots of wine; tough stuff).
I’m about to head out to two more wineries today but, before I go, I thought I’d leave you with this past week’s link love:
Whew! Thank god that week is over. I spent the bulk of it feeling as if I was catching up from my trip to Michigan. It wasn’t all bad, though. I found that this coming week marks the end of my stint as an on-site proofreader, I started filling in the gaps in a piece due 9/4, and I visited several charming wineries in North Jersey for another wine piece. One in particular — run by the cutest family ever — captured my heart. We started with a tasting (during which we kept being offered homemade cheesecake) and were then invited out back to the site of their small, winemaking operation. Owner Gene Ventimiglia then gave us a small lesson in winemaking, even offering to let us taste some of the wine in the barrels. After experiencing the best zinfandel that I have ever tasted, the family invited us to stay for their bbq, and even let us walk amongst the grape vines. Such a nice day!
And this is why I love story research.
For something a little less hands-on, check out this past week’s link love:
Oh you guys. I am sooo pooped. I got home at 1 a.m. last night after an 11.5-hour drive during which I was crammed into the middle back seat of a car between my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law.
I am cranky.
Anyways, last week’s installment of Link Love is going up late, because I was en route to Michigan this past Friday. Here you go:
Link Love: October 23
I broke my promise. One of my October goals was to post to Freelancedom at least three times a week. But this week turned out a little…crazy.
On the I’m-so-stressed end of things, I found blood in my cat’s urine, and had to take him on an emergency trip to the vet. Him: Not thrilled. Me: Freaking out. Vet: It’s no biggie. Whew! [Read more…]