Quick Update

I should be writing (updating my blog, while it's somewhat work-related, doesn't really count as actual work) but wanted to pop in to give my loyal readers a quick update.

The first half of the book is due on Sunday. It's written and (mostly) edited. I want to make a few more small changes before I send it to the publisher. I'm working feverishly to write the second half of the book which is due on April 15.

I'm focusing on one month at a time. It's less daunting, I think, to break the project up into chunks. Otherwise, I'd be sitting at my computer, fingers poised over the keyboard, thinking, "I can't write an entire book! It's too much!" This way, I only worry about writing one month. Once that month is done, I start on the next month. It's working.

Ninety percent of my day is devoted to writing the book. It's a lot of work. I'm still squeezing in a few articles here and there which is a little stressful but I also appreciate the break from writing green tips.

One of the reasons I love freelancing is because no two days are the same. I can start the day writing tips for eco-friendly living, spend an hour interviewing an expert about maintaining weight loss, research a new construction project and then return to writing green tips. I get bored easily so the ability to hop from one task to another is a necessity for me.

I did take a much-needed break last week to spend a few days at the beach. I went to Ocracoke Island, one of the barrier islands in North Carolina's Outer Banks. It was a long trip (6 hours in the car and 2.5 hours on the ferry) but it was absolutely worth it. Now, I'm back at work. In the midst of finishing the book and working on a few freelance deadlines, I'm dreaming about going back to Ocracoke...

You Should Stop By...

I'm just popping in quickly to let you know that I'm giving a FREE workshop next week.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) is hosting an event called ArtsFest on March 27th and I was invited to speak about query letters. The session is aimed at aspiring writers so if that's you, please come check it out. All of the details are here: http://artsfest.cpcc.edu/literature. I hope to see you there!

She Shoots, She Scores!

I scored my first broomball goal last night. Sadly, I scored on my own team. Instead of basking in the glory of FINALLY getting a goal, I had to apologize to my teammates for my lack of stick-handling skills.

I started playing broomball last summer and I'm easily the worst player in the league. I was offside for most of the first season, frequently forgot whether I was playing offense or defense and even received off-the-ice instruction on stick handling from opposing team members. Still, I show up every Sunday afternoon, change into my gear and head out on the ice. I play hard and I get a little better every week.

Broomball is a lot like writing: Sometimes I'm excited about it, I feel great about my skills and love working with my team. Other times, it takes all of my energy just to get out there and play.

My life has been consumed by work for the past three months. I've been working 12-14 hours per day from Monday to Friday and putting in several hours over the weekend. I'm working on a lot of great projects, including the book. Most days, sheer excitement about my work is enough to make me jump out of bed and go to work. Last week, exhaustion took over. I struggled to focus on my work; I drank too much caffeine and exercised too little. Now, it's Monday morning and I'm determined to get back on track. Here's to the start of a very productive week...

Ouch!

I'm in the midst of writing an article about stress. As I type, I'm acutely aware of the muscle tightness and dull headache that have been plaguing me for days. I'm completely stressed out and my body is reacting poorly to the long hours, pathetic diet and lack of fresh air.

I know I should be taking the advice of the experts I've interviewed: go for a walk, soak in a hot bath, write in my journal, learn to say no...Right now, all I can do is keep plugging away, hoping to make a dent in the pile of work on my desk.

On the bright side: the book is coming along and I have a solid plan in place to ensure I meet my deadlines. I met with a web designer yesterday who is going to create a website to promote The Green Year (stay tuned for details) and I talked to a photographer about getting some professional head shots. (I think it's probably time to stop sending vacation snapshots every time an editor asks for a photo).

I'm working on a handful of other projects including Personal Pitch, the one-on-one writer/editor sessions that take place during the annual ASJA conference in April. It's a huge task to coordinate volunteers, contact editors, respond to e-mails and ensure that the 2,256 slots are filled on members' day.

In the midst of the deadlines, I still manage to have a little fun. I continue to train with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for Hike for Discovery. To date, I've received donations totaling $1,815. Help me reach my goal of raising $5,000 for LLS by donating.

One of these days I'm going to treat myself to a massage, change my furnace filters, download photos from my camera, start knitting a blanket for my neice-to-be and sign Molly and Milo up for classes to become certified therapy dogs. Right now, I need a nap...

All Work and No Play...

My office is starting to feel like a prison cell. I've been sitting in the same small space, staring out the windows, wondering what life is like beyond these walls.

It's been a hectic month (actually, it's been a hectic year). Despite the craziness, I wouldn't change a thing. Ok, there is one thing I would change: I'd have a personal chef deliver meals to my office. I'd nosh on salads for lunch, have fresh fruit (peeled and cubed, of course) as a snack and an endless supply of Diet Coke at the ready. My body would like a break from cereal and Ramen noodles.

So, what's keeping me so busy? Deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines. I've been writing non-stop since the beginning of the year. Some of the articles are for editors I've worked with in the past and some are for new-to-me editors I hope to work with into the future. I've also put together proposals for corporate work and two book projects.

Earlier this month, I found out that one of the books I pitched was accepted. I'm going to be an author! The book is called The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference and it will be published by Alpha/Penguin later this year. As the title suggests, it's a tip-a-day tome to living a more eco-friendly life. As the publishing date suggests, I'm on a very tight deadline. The first half of the book is due March 30 and the final 50 percent is due on April 15. Needless to say, I'll be spending several long days in my cell, er, office.

I've been invited to present at conferences in Boulder, Colorado, in June and October. Stay tuned for more details.

In my spare time (translation: when I'm procrastinating) I've been researching my next trip. I have no idea where to go but I'm open to suggestions. Right now, I'm tossing around Egypt and Croatia as possibilities. Of course, a week on a tropical island sounds good, too. Thoughts?

Drum Roll Please...

I have just gotten the contract to WRITE MY FIRST BOOK!

More info to come soon, I promise. Right now, I'm in the midst of a huge deadline crunch and I need to devote all of my energy to writing the articles that are due this week.

The Latest Item on My Wish List

Confession: I hate to shop. You won't find me scouring catalogs looking for the perfect furniture (I still don't have a coffee table) or coveting pretty frocks (I'd be hard-pressed to describe a frock) but I did come across a must-have item that made me scream, "I'll take TWO!"

So, now I just have to wait to see if the concept will become a reality. Honda, if you're listening, there are two dogs in Charlotte who NEED this car. Please make it available in the U.S. soon.