Photo Friday: The Wall

The photo you're looking at was taken in the lobby of Sourcebooks, Inc. I had no idea what exactly was in each of those frames but the row of them was impressive, so I snapped the pic.

When I got back from Chicago, I emailed my editor to ask about them. What I learned is that each framed item represents something Sourcebooks is particularly proud of. Book covers are in many of the frames. Some are there because they are best-sellers. Others are there because the cover art is particularly stellar. And apparently, there are also framed letters from presidents up there. Wow! I wanna be on that wall. No really. I do. So, if anyone from Sourcebooks is reading this - let it be known. Karen Fisher-Alaniz wants to be framed. (couldn't resist)

You hear people talk about a Wall of Fame. But this wall was different. I love the idea of having a wall, or some other place, in your house where you can highlight what you're proud of. It would be more of a Wall of Pride...or something like that. So, if you created a Wall of Pride, what would be on it? What accomplishments would be recognized there?

I'm going to have to think about this one. ~Karen

Photo Friday: For Whom the Drum Tolls (part two)

Since it's been a week since you read part one, let me re-set the scene for you (I think I've been hanging out with screenwriters too much). I've just participated in a day's worth of meetings about my book and the Sourcebooks team has been summoned via drum, to hear me read from my book.

I start to read. I'm a robot. I try to use inflection in my voice, but I'm so stinkin' nervous. My legs are shaking. Not my hands, or my head, but my legs. If something has to shake, legs are a good choice, I think. I've only read about three pages when my mouth goes dry. I don't mean, I need a sip of water, dry. I mean my mouth is a 20-year drought. But I make it to the end of the expected reading. Yippee! Done. Now, let's go home.

But Peter then asks, "Does anyone have any questions for Karen?"

Here's my Marsha Brady moment (you know the one where she's nervous about her driver's test, so she pictures the instructor in his underwear) Well, instead of picturing my teacher in his underwear, I stop everything to admit to my human weakness aka the deletion of every bit of saliva in my mouth! I ask for a glass of water - the one I left in the conference room. I take a polite sip. Then I guzzle and even discretely swish. The questions begin; I'm asked about my dad, about writing, and about research. All questions I have answers to. I slowly realize that I'm liking this. This is fun. I mean, not to sound conceited or anything but what's more fun than talking about yourself or something you know a lot about? Just as I get to the point of wanting to say, "Hey, you guys wanna hang out tonight?", it's over.

This was officially the very first book talk I've ever done. It wasn't stellar. It wasn't even good. But I did it and it was great practice. Will I be able to do it again? Absolutely!

But a few questions remain;
1. How is it possible that stress (apparently) makes saliva dry up?
2. What causes the body to shake when we're nervous? And how does it decide which limb to torture?

Photo Friday: Sickness in the Black Hole

photo: writing in healthier days.

I called my editor a few weeks ago. I just wanted to do something, anything. Although I was keeping myself busy writing a new book and doing lots of marketing and publicity research, I was anxious to work on the book itself. My wonderful editor recognized something familiar. Apparently, I'm not the only or first-ever author to feel like I'd been sucked into a dark, silent, black hole. He encouraged me by saying that unfortunately, this is the time that there just isn't much for an author to do. But he assured me that soon, I would have edits to work on.

Last Tuesday, I got the first set of edits he wanted me to do. It was the day before I was leaving on a trip to Seattle. But no worries, I could work in Seattle just as easily as Walla Walla. But then it happened!

On the flight to Seattle, my ear plugged and wouldn't "pop." At the same time, I was suddenly very, very tired. In fact, as I sat in the back seat of my sister's car en route to her house, I lay my head on the suitcase and tried very hard to stay awake. I was sick!

Within a few hours, my nose was ridiculously stuffed up, my throat was raw and sore, and I had a terrible headache. And I felt like I'd been hit by a truck...several times. Every morning I assessed my health and repeated the chorus from the day before, "I can't believe I'm still sick! I never get sick like this." I'm sure my sister and mom got sick of hearing it (haha).

So, long story short, I was sick the entire time I was in Seattle. I returned a week later still sick and remain so now. Whatever this bug is, it apparently likes me a lot.

My mom and sister knew just how sick I was when I couldn't work on the book. I barely opened my computer - just enough to check my email for any new communication from my editor. I've lived and breathed writing and my book since signing the contract in September. But it all came to a stand-still.

I'm still not at 100% but I plan to open those edits and get to work tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. I figure that a few focused hours is a good goal for tomorrow. Hopefully by this time next week, I'll be able to report how great the editing is going. In the meantime, Good Earth tea is my best friend!

Photo Finish Friday - 7-Up Hat

OK, I'm waaaay too excited about that hat. C'mon now. That hat was recycling at it's best (or maybe worst). It was a Christmas present from my parents, or looking at my dad in the background, probably just from my mom. Dad looks as bewildered as I am excited. My sister got a Dr. Pepper hat by the way. And yes, those are actual cans that are crocheted together to make a stunning fashion statement. Golly gee, what will they think of next?

Photo Finish Friday - "Take my picture Mom!"

Caleb was 11 when this picture was taken. It started when he built a sandcastle and then decided to be creative in the ways he could jump over it. When I grabbed my camera and snapped a shot of him mid-air, he was anxious to look at the picture on my camera's viewer. But then he decided that particular "pose" wasn't good enough. So I took picture after picture of him until the sun finally set. What a fun way to spend a day! Now if *I* could just jump that high. Hey-it could happen!

VACATION

I will be taking a vacation from Friday, August 8, 2008 to Monday, August 18th. I will not have computer or internet access during this time. I feel like I'm going to internet rehab. I'm pretty sure I'll go through withdrawels. But unplugging is a good thing.

In the meantime, how about you write about a favorite or memorable vacation. And if you'd like, share the mini-version here and I promise to read it when I get back. In fact, I'll just let you know now that I'll be sharing a photo and 100-words on the theme of "vacation" when I get back. The first Photo-Finish-Friday after I get back will be on Friday (of course), August 22nd. Plan to join me then.

See ya when I get back. ~Karen

My First Fur Coat

Friend left, my sister in middle and that's me on the right

It was a few months before Christmas when I saw the coat. It was on a rack at J.C. Penney's. I touched the faux fur; it was soft. I flipped the little gold clasp around and back. I tried it on and looked at myself in the mirror.

"Let's go, Karen," my mom said.

But as we left, she went back inside for a few minutes. On Christmas morning that year, I opened a big box with my coat in it. Oh how I loved that coat. And that style is coming back...no really!

GREAT PHOTO FINISH FRIDAY BLOGS TO VISIT:

http://nita-onewomansview.blogspot.com

Photo Finish Friday- Twirling

Baton twirling was a huge part of my childhood. I competed in several competitions a year, often traveling with the whole baton corp. We performed in parades, nursing homes, and fairs. Our group, "The Thunderbirds" often wore red sequined outfits (as you can see). I spent every Saturday for 8 years at practices that ran back-to-back in a dusty old building that was somehow regal and magical. High cealings meant I could practice my "turn-arounds" without worrying about hitting the cealing with my baton. I even twirled a fire-baton once. Once was enough. ~Karen

Other Photo Finish Blogs to Visit:
http://nita-onewomansview.blogspot.com/ - Wonder where that chair is now?

Photo Finish Friday - It Begins

As you may or may not know, my blog, WRITE NOW-BECAUSE IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK began after my father gave me more than 400 pages of letters he wrote to his folks during WWII. Without his decision to give them to me, his story might never have been told. Since that time, I am always trying to think of new ways to encourage people to tell their story. I believe that most of us think about it. We just never take the time to do it. Unfortunately, our parents and grandparents thought the same way. And just imagine what a treasure their story would be to us now.

While cruising around the web, and reading lots and lots of blogs, I noticed something. Sometimes you don't want to read pages and pages about a person. Sometimes you just want a snapshot-a real one and a written one. So I've decided to sponsor PHOTO FINISH FRIDAY here on my blog. Here's how it will work; every Friday I will post a photo of my own, and no more than 100 words about the photo or the memories it evokes. And I want you to join in too. Post a photo and 100 words about it on your blog. Then come here and leave me a comment saying you've done so. Throughout the day, I will edit my post to include a link to yours. My blog will become a hub for great blogs to visit on Fridays.

Your photo and essay can be from past or present. It can be about you, your family, friends, or anyone else, just so long as it is a part of your personal history. The photo may be something from the past or present. You will be documenting a part of who you are. My hope is that this will encourage you to continue writing your family history. But even if you only write every Friday, at the end of a year, you'll have 52 memories written down. What a treasure that will be!

Keep these simple rules in mind:

1. Post a photo

2. Write about it in 100 words or less

3. Come back here and let me know about it

So come on by tomorrow when I will post my first PHOTO FINISH FRIDAY. See you then.