Edgy Mama

Ben asks: “With every job, there are parts that you don’t like… What don’t you like about writing?”

About a year and a half ago, I decided to stop working part-time to devote my non-SAHM time to writing. I’ve always written–both fiction and non-fiction. So far, I’ve been more successful at non-fiction (in that I’ve actually been paid). My goal was to write a second novel, some short fiction, and to focus on the terrifyingly difficult work of marketing my writing.

I spent several days looking in the mirror, saying, “I’m a writer,” while trying not to bust up with laughter. Even now, I notice I still have a little smirk when I say the words, although it may just be because I’m feeling self-conscious about talking to the mirror again (If only it talked back. Where does one get one of those Snow White mirrors?).

So, to get around to actually answering Ben’s question, here’s what I don’t like about writing speculative fiction: The Interrogation.

“So, Anne Fitten, what do you do?”

“Ummm, I’m a writer.” Suppressing the smirk.

“Really? What do you write?”

“Fiction. Mostly.”

Interrogator looks surprised, then amused. “Ohhhhh…have you had anything published?”

“Well, I have a novel out. Published by a POD internet company. You can get it on-line,” Now I’m stammering. “It’s sold about 400 copies. I broke even on it. Well, not including my time, but…And I haven’t really done any marketing, but…”

Now the Interrogator is smirking. “Well, what’s it about?”

Every writer I know hates this question. I’ve developed a pat answer that reveals absolutely nothing: “It’s a thriller with a supernatural twist.”

“Oh, like horror?”

“Well, it has elements of horror and of science fiction. It’s not great literature or anything. It’s a page turner.”

Interrogator scans me for Star Trek paraphernalia. I consider giving her the Trekkie hand signal.

“You don’t look like a horror writer.”

I wonder what I’m supposed to look like. A psycho axe murderer? Most horror and sci fi writers are nerds. Maybe I don’t look like a nerd. That’s good, right?

Interrogator is looking pitifully at me. I surrepitiously check to make sure I haven’t spontaneously sprouted a tail.
Long pause.

“So what does your husband do?”

Eddo and his sweet Mom both have asked questions that I have yet to answer. So, here goes:

Live, Laugh, Love: By the way, why did Eddo make you look devilish on your site? Lol, did your wings get clipped?

Edgy Mama: Yes, I do feel that marriage and kids has clipped my wings a bit. I’m the first to admit that I adore my family, yet I live in fear of losing my edge to motherhood. When exploring ideas for my blog “persona,” the duality of Mom/housewife and thriller/horror writer seemed to speak best for my current state of being. Thus, the horns fit. Actually, Eddo’s name for this template is “Delightfully Devilish Diva.”

Eddo: Do you cook? All the food you describe at The Silver Wolf restaurant sounds delicious.

Edgy Mama: I do cook, but only when the spirit moves me. In my novel Storm Mountain, two of the main characters have moved to a resort town in the Rockies to open a restaurant–The Silver Wolf.

I love restaurants and good food, and because I live in a resort town, I know a number of people who are in “the business.”

I’m cooking tonight for two of E-spouse’s cousins who are coming to town. One of them is gluten-intolerant, so I’m making a stir-fry with chicken, lots of fresh vegetables, and my secret homemade stir-fry sauce. You’d love it, Eddo.

Other questions?

I’m cracking up over the obscure name part. And to answer the question: yoga.

P.S. I’ll take Liam Neeson any time, any where, even with the Qui-Gon hair lacquer. Maybe this means we’re soul mates? Slapping self on the hand. You’re a writer, damn it! Don’t confuse fiction with reality. Be still, voices in my head.

This morning I was checking out recent de-lurker Neil’s website, when a comment popped up from him in my e-mail. This seems to happen with me and Eddo a lot. I’ll be commenting on his site or sending him an e-mail only to realize that he’s sending me one at the same time (he’s redesigning my website, so we are communicating more than usual lately).

Then, I took a break from writing this post to check on a couple of my favorite blogs, and my friend Chad had just posted a beautiful piece about being part of a rich, inspiring blogger network. Next, I clicked on Genuine’s site to discover that I’m part of his Disney fantasies.

I love having these silly serendipitous moments. I love being part of a larger community–a far flung community of diverse people connected only by pulsating waves of coded words (I don’t pretend to understand wireless–it’s magic, right?).

Thanks for the love–and the posts–and the comments–and for being there whenever I need you.

I haven’t posted my word count on Janus Watchers in almost a month. Why? Because I’ve only written about 2,000 words on the novel in that time (and I’ve done some editing). Which means I need to do some major rocking and rolling during the next two months (my first draft completion goal is now August 20).

I did send out the Cyprus story (now entitled Gravity Defiant), which I completed at 3,300 words and after approximately fifteen editing passes. Thanks to Vicki, E-spouse, Stephen, Suzy, and Sam for editing and insights, particularly after I changed the ending four times.

I am allowing no further distractions to the primary task at hand, however. I’m going to take a page from writer Danny Adams and add some interesting factoids to my–hopefully more regular–progress reports:

Today’s word count: over 1,000 words on JW (yeah!).
What I ignored in order to write: house cleaning, yard work, Critters critiques.
Inspirations: Anxiety, Star Wars (though I have yet to see the new movie).
Needed research: Medical. Does a knife in the liver kill? How quickly? Also, I need to reread the Prometheus myth to make sure I’ve got the details right.
Exercise: None yet, but I’m going to try to get a 40-minute walk in this afternoon.
Listening to: Yu-Gi-Oh movie (my kids are watching it, and my desk is in the living room).
Distractions: the kids, chocolate, Dry by Augusten Burroughs, impending date tonight with Enviro-spouse.

Have a great weekend, friends!

It’s legit. I took it because Enviro-spouse attended MIT, but we don’t give to their Alumni Fund (guilt is a powerful motivator). The results–whenever they are compiled–should be interesting.

In my one 1/2 hour of free time over the past four days, I walked the boardwalk at Virginia Beach and asked one of the extremely cute young guys at the Information Kiosk where I could get a CAT-5 connection. His answer? NOWHERE! Unless you are staying in one of the nicer hotels in Virginia Beach, there is NO place to pick up an internet connection: no coffeeshop, no cafe, no nothing, nada.

If I were sophisticated enough to have wireless access, I could drive around with my laptop, looking to sneak on an open wi-fi line. But I’m still computing in the 20th century. The information guy said that between five and twenty people ask him the same question every day (and he only works there part-time!). So if you’re looking for a business opportunity and don’t mind living in Virginia Beach, this is your big chance.

Okay, I’m exaggerating about the free time. I walked on the beach twice; I took one shower; and, last night, I slept for EIGHT straight hours. I also got to drive, by myself, in my sporty Honda Hybrid, for close to 15 hours (I’d like to thank The Avett Brothers, REM, The Cowboy Junkies, Evanescence, Franz Ferdinand, and Coca-Cola for getting me through the drive).

My advice to you all is: do not move with newborn twins into a house that is still under construction.

Actually, it was fun. I got lots of sweet baby time. The babies are still at the stage where they mostly eat, sleep, and poop. And they squawked and wanted to be held and to sleep snuggled on my shoulder or in the crook of my elbow. It felt good to be so confident and competent caring for the tiny creatures (about five pounds each), and, though I loved being with them, I felt satisfied with my decision not to bring any more humanoids into the world.

I’m thrilled to be back with my relatively big kids, and Enviro-spouse, and my cats, and my plants, in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina–which is home.

I’m heading off to Virginia this afternoon for a few days of baby holding and arranging furniture. My sister–who birthed twin girls three weeks ago–is moving this week (a double whammy on the stressor indices). It seems that this is an excellent time for me to be helpful.

Enviro-spouse plus science camp plus grandparents plus neighbors plus babysitters will be pinch-hitting for my life–in all areas EXCEPT for blogging and writing (although maybe I can talk E-spouse into being a guest blogger).

Because Eddo gives me grief about not writing much about myself, here’s a quick capsule of our weekend activities. We went to a fun party on Friday night for my friend Rio, who is moving to Greensboro with her family. Saturday was the end-of-the-season YMCA Soccer Celebration, which included our girl child on the death-defying harness drop from about 40 feet up (she loved it!). Sunday we went to the pool with E-spouse’s parents–and beat out the daily afternoon thunderstorm.

I’ll be back Friday. Have a great week, everyone. I’ll miss you.

Woohoo! I made it to the Final Seven (not quite as prestigious as the Final Four, but close). Click on my title to read the other finalists–all great stories.

To those of you who have offspring, Happy Father’s Day!

…the pig with the bricks, the pig with the sticks, and the pig with the straw.