September 29, 1998 was Tuesday

...and I was out with a guy at a sports bar. I'd brought him a baked potato from Jason's Deli because the sports bar only served peanuts. We'd just had this phone chat how we wanted to know each other better. How he thought I was attractive. I'd recently decided to be more open and let the last two relationship slip out my memory banks---One was a married man and the other became a crossdresser. Yes, another post for another time. And the Texas Rangers were in the play offs for the first time in about ever.

It was also the time I first met Bear. He told how I intrigued him and bought me a couple drinks. I tried to eat my potato from Jason's Deli as I wondered how one man could hit on me while I was supposedly there to be with another. I guess, cause the man I was there to be supposedly with felt his buds were more interesting to talk to than me. Used me for the Jason's Deli potato, I'm sure! Bear did ask for my number, yet I hum and ha'd. Let me just say, we had our first (and kinda last date) 10 days later. OK, all that's another post too.

However, that main reason Bear and I began to chat was because of my book. Yes, you read right. My book. I'd self published and on this day, in 1998, I'd received my first shipment of 30 books. The publisher had made a a mistake and duplicated a couple pages and asked me what I wanted to do. One option was to still take delivery of these 30, while they worked on rest of my order. You see, my goal was to have my books by this date in 1998, because it was the anniversary of my mom's death. The book is primarily the story of a mother-daughter relationship. This book was a tribute to her.

Self publishing my book was an adventure in itself. The internet was far from what it is now. All samples I received from publishers was done through snail mail. Did I get rich? Did Hollywood come callin'? Did I get Whoopi Goldberg to play the mom--in fact, I thought of her playing BOTH parts, then I thought Queen Latifah could be the daughter...anyway, those dreams still float in my head today.

September 29, 1998 was one of those days you remember and still smile about.

Now, on this day in 2009, I've rediscovered my love for writing. Because of my book and the happenings after it, I didn't write anything but e-mail for three years. Felt like a failure. God sends me to Habakkuk 2:2 many times. He's shown me what words can do, even tho at times I may be hesitant to write them.

Stay tuned.

December 28, 1998 was a Monday

I had a book signing that night. Yep, in my Iowa hometown's library. One of my BEST nights ever. Class members, plus their parents and friends of my family turned out for it. I felt like Cinderella. I've had alot of good days since then, yet there was something about that night. Special really. Felt so good and right to talk about my written words. To autograph books for everyone. Back then, I just didn't sign my name, I pretty much wrote a novella to that person. A personal touch, I guess.

I'd self published my book in September 1998. The first and only book I've written. A story that nawed at my heart, and still does. The story idea is great, but the way it was written then--could be so much better. At the time, I needed to get it down. To get it in people's hands. I'd sent out query letters for possible publication. Had two bites to see the completed manuscript. Both turned me down, although one publisher gave me 40 minutes of his time, on the phone, how to improve the story. I still remember to this day. And then I've learned so much as a writer over this time.

In fact, I've started a re-do about 3 times and quit. I actually did quit writing altogether after the book came out. I'd sent my book to a site for a review and be featured on their site. Oh man...the guy tore it shreds. I felt like a failure. Ever wrote that in my journal "I am a failure. I cannot write." Wrote nothing else--except in my diaries--for a few years. I didn't even think about writing. Didn't want to. Ignored the question, "What have you written lately?"

Ten years have passed. Alot has happened, because it had too. Today I enjoy writing fiction short stories. Query to have them published. But to my one and only book--it still is in my home town's library. Heck, I still have a few in my closet. Quit selling them long ago. Will I write another book? Sure. When the time is write. Not my time, but God's time.

Eventhough it was great I wrote the book--and I Google the title and my name. There are used copies on sites, that I don't recognize the language. HOW did it get there? Especially the SIGNED copies? I digress. I am proud I wrote the book when I did. God was with me, yet I pushed it through at times. I wasn't patient. I learned alot and lost alot of money. I had no plan. To self publish, you a plan A thru at least T is needed. All in all, I wasn't ready.

He's making me ready now.

OK-so now we have....

the Dallas Cowboys..*sigh* .They are behind the Philadelphia Eagles 41-3 and the game isn't over yet! Nobody saw it coming THIS bad. The Cowboys had to win to be in the play-offs. Former Cowboy QB Hall of Fame Troy Aikman is calling the game. I wonder his thoughts. If he wishes he were still part of the fray. Yes, it's why the game is played, yet the Dallas Cowboys didn't quite play it well enough. December 28, 2008 will end their season. Let the finger points begin. Uh, who threw those interceptions?

My night in 1998 was more fun. I am blessed.