Murphy's Law Upended...I hope

As I send off my last assignment of the day (at 11:54 pm) I have to say this out loud ... well on a page. In the past week, my dog ate the couch--the nice one that was not previously eaten by other dog as a puppy because I just got it last year, my car got a new dent (I've now refer to her as Ruffles because she is so crimped she has ridges) and I've gotten slammed today by my body for trying to overexert. Oh yeah, and I cant forget that my train wasn't late yesterday...it simply did not show up. Like at all.

So I could complain or I could laugh. I choose to laugh. Spending all day today doing various freelance work was really fulfilling. I am thrilled to say that all I have left for the weekend is a bunch of blogs to grade (I know right!) and my column, which is fun, so it's not really work to me. YAY!

This week I have worked on ten erotica titles, a California travel guide, reviewed an awesome book that was way fun to read, and wrapped up an interview with the author of the best memoir I've read in a long time. I've also spent time this week networking and setting up future interviews which are almost ready to go out, brushing up my resume and was just asked by a fellow Professor to edit a book. Oh and did I mention that I have at least four more projects beginning soon? Well this week...

I swear the mantra from my days as an editorial intern  at Berkeley Books still hold true.

 "Ask and you shall receive."

I was told this by my awesome boss and it has proved true time and time again.

Now who do I ask for those money tree seeds to plant next to my zucchini?

Peace & Produce
Keri

Have Books Will Travel: Vacation Varieties to Stash in Your Suitcase

Looking for something to read while on vacation? Check out these awesome indie selections:

Have Books Will Travel: Vacation Varieties to Stash in Your Suitcase

Neighborhood Stacks: A Reflection

A note to go with the maniacal scribbling and partially online reminiscing that has possessed me all night:

I sincerely hope that when people read my work it makes them think back on the positive...or at least laugh at something they are reminded of. That's what happens for me, when I look at other people's progress and am genuinely happy for their accomplishments. There is so much positivity that has emerged despite shitty hands that life may have dealt to us.

That said, today is a Murphy's Law day if I ever had one! I am lucky enough to have a guest lecturer at work so I decided to write all day.

As I left the house I noticed three stains on my shirt, but ignored them. Shirt is black, stains are faint so nobody will see them. My favorite spot is dimly lit. Coffee will probably end up landing right atop them anyway, so I let it go. Pulling in to the parking lot I spied a broken meter and nabbed it because they don't ticket you there and I hadn't brought any change. Score.

Good thing I didn't pay the meter...my little dim lit coffee shop is closed for renovation. Sigh.

May as well go to Starbucks by way of CVS and get my Rx since they just texted me that it was ready. And as I do I get a coupon for a free granola bar. Hadn't had breakfast so that was good. Until I unknowingly smoosh a cranberry in the middle of the already stained t-shirt. Now I have bloodied boobies. OK well if I go home, there are two dogs and a human working from home, so...pressing on.

Hopping out of car at Starbucks I see I've got a tremendous glob of gum on the bottom of my favorite flip flops which I just scrubbed yesterday for about twenty minutes and was really really pleased with the coconut scented result. Huh.

Scraping shoe on curb only makes it worse so I walk across the parking lot with a zombie limp thinking that will help...it doesn't.

Funny, why is Starbucks staring at me (meaning the row of people with laptops in the glass walled caffeinated haven probably writing this story too) all I did was get some friggin gum on my shoe. Guess that never happened to any of them. No zombie walking for them. Huh.

Buying my coffee, the computers went down, sitting by an outlet, a woman spilled tea on my already soiled, so soon after scrubbing, flip flop. I couldn't get mad, just burnt. My foot is now red enough for both itself and my face which normally would be pink. But today, I expect the unexpected.

And cue person I know coming over to say to my unmakeupped bun-wearing, gum dragging, cranberry bloodied, stained self. And people wonder why I adore dimly lit out of the way spots when I have writing to do!

I hope you are smiling right now and I hope your day is bright. Here...I just saw lightning and its dark out at 3:11PM. Please someone affirm for me that a rainy day is still a lucky day in some remote culture~

Peace and Pouring Rain
Keri

Random: saw this on a truck in Chelsea

Inspired Insomniac

From lack of zzz's come memories and a new appreciation of life. In the night, ideas are born and bred. If only we didn't have to do the daytime thing in such a mandatory manner we would all have our books finished ten times over ;-)

http://indiereader.com/2012/07/neighborhood-stacks-a-reflection/

Peace & Melatonin?
K

Insomnia Woooooooooooo

Nothing like a middle of the night rant to heal the soul. Not once have I been let down by the multifaceted scope of sleepless writing. When the night stares at you and smirks, we all get edgy when we really should be poking it with our pencils and painting it blue.

Feeling like poetry is flowing more freely and ready to see where that goes. I'm ecstatic to say I've got a lineup for Under the Overpass and its going to be kickass. It may kick my ass too, but I'll take it--because it's always worth it in the end.

A wise woman told me to ask and I shall recieve and holy shit is that a mantra for me now. I can not wait to see what's next. Life I'm gonna live the shit outta you!

P&P
K

Weekendzzzzzzzzz

So this weekend I was happy I got to see an old friend's amazing live art show and relax with a dip in the pool at the fam's house. Besides that I did get to grab my mom on Friday and do some of my favorite things that I thought I would share:

***with my good friend LK and HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOREN!

Followed by the always delish:

and of course, a Friday night meal wouldn't be complete without:

Which actually comes in fat free Tahitian Vanilla that is to DIE for!!

The rest of the weekend seems to have flown, but I'm happy to say that this summer is really feeling relaxing at times--something I'm learning to appreciate more every day.

As for the specifics of what else I'm up to, I'll be back with more pics and words after a solid night's sleep...much needed. Much love--

Peace & Paper Mache
Keri

Hello July!

Well, it's been a hectic July so far and it's only the 13th...Friday the 13th AHH! Having travelled for my break, I'm now back to work and hitting the keyboard every day trying to tune up my stories and get my asss in gear for collecting the final pieces of the first book (of three planned and partially written--not a series whatsoever) I feel motivated that's for damn sure!

Here's what else I've been doing: Alike But Indie: Unbroken seemed to raise some buzz which I'm really proud of! With almost 250 shares I've impressed myself, and am encouraged that my Seasonal Selections may start somewhat of a fuss as they move away from romance next week--got some good stuff coming your way, stay tuned!

Also, I have had a couple more book reviews posted: American Girl, Dogs Have Angels Too, Immortal Desire (Indie Reader) which is also on the HEA blog at USA Today  AND The Seventh Soul won an IRDA for paranormal romance, as did Jennifer's Garden for romance and Mirror Talk for Memoir (LOVE this one!!) Also interesting: The Unsimple Truth 

Look for my upcoming interviews: with Chris Mendius (author of Spoonful LOVE this book!) for Indie Reader and with Dianne Venetta for USA Today!

I am currently about to read We Are Absolutely Not Okay (a compilation of non-fiction stories by fourteen students of Scriber Lake High School. With stunning experiences that no teen should have to endure, these survivors encounter being held at gunpoint by family members, addiction, sexual identity crises and more. This is a real life look at what people go through at a young age and are brave enough to help others by telling their stories. From two of the contributing authors: “If you have ever felt alone, betrayed, confused or angry, this book is for you. If you have ever come to school pretending everything is okay when really everything is absolutely not, we want you to know that there is hope – even in the darkest situations." After I finish Hooked which I'm flying through, and Let's Pretend This Never HappenedAnd of course, here are the most recent Paper Weights:

Last Weekend: http://indiereader.com/2012/07/lazy-days-of-summer-reading/

One Before: http://indiereader.com/2012/07/theres-always-time-to-turn-a-page/

New one: COMING ON MONDAY! (Who says Mondays aren't fun?!)

Besides all this writing and reading, I'm still teaching (writing and reading of course) and traveling through NYC, BKLYN, NJ and most recently NJ/PA border on the Delaware River. Tubing is really relaxing--everyone should try it out at some point. Beyond that I basically have time for sleep yoga gym and repeat it all again. Speaking of which, it's past my bedtime, I have some ziplining to do tomorrow.

Thanks for reading & all your wonderful support & feedback!

Peace & Pages
Keri