Hey Gang,

Spring is in the air and the activity level is kicking back into overdrive:

* Closer and closer we get. Things slowed down for a while as the economy took a big pinch, but now another publisher has emerged for FINDERS KEEPERS. Is a deal coming? We’ll see. But between this new suitor and three or four others who are reading the manuscript, 2009 is looking brighter every day for FINDERS KEEPERS …

* April has been another major milestone for me. After more than a year Hey Gang,

Spring is in the air and the activity level is kicking back into overdrive:

* Closer and closer we get. Things slowed down for a while as the economy took a big pinch, but now another publisher has emerged for FINDERS KEEPERS. Is a deal coming? We’ll see. But between this new suitor and three or four others who are reading the manuscript, 2009 is looking brighter every day for FINDERS KEEPERS …

* April has been another major milestone for me. After more than a year in the works, I finally finished the first draft on my second book–CROSSLINE! I’m now in the editing stages, and once I’m finished shaping, rejiggering and applying all the writerly things that us writers do, I’ll pass the manuscript onto my writer dudes inner circle for feedback. After that I’ll work with their comments and make necessary changes, and then off to my agent it goes.

So indeed, this was a [b]VERY [/b]big month.

* With the summer not too far off, that can mean only one thing. The San Diego Comic-Con 2009 is coming! I booked my flight last week, and the hotel accommodations are all set. I’ll have more updates as we get closer to the convention, but this is going to be a really big year for pitching FINDERS KEEPERS to the Hollywood crowd. Speaking of comic conventions, if you haven’t already, check out pictures from the 2009 NY Comic-Con in the PHOTOS section of my site, and read my blogs from February to check out all the action.

* I may be a little late to the party on this one, but for you Facebookers out there, be sure to join the FINDERS KEEPERS group on Facebook. It’s just another way to get all your FINDERS KEEPERS and CROSSLINE news that’s fit to print.

* And as part of the ongoing coverage of DRAWING WITH CHALK (www.drawkingwithchalk.com), please give a shout out to Todd and Chris, as their movie received nomination in the American Feature category at the Heart of England International Film Festival. Great job guys!

That’s all she wrote for this edition. I’ll be back as June approaches with a new updates on FINDERS KEEPERS and CROSSLINE, and the latest on the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.

Thanks!

Russ

The other day was on Fifth Avenue near the Empire State Building, out to get some lunch. There was a red light at the corner, so I had to wait. No big deal, except for what happened next.

As I stepped into the street, I passed a sewer grating. Well, up from that sewer, down by the subway, which I could hear rumbling underneath, a toxic cloud of gas emerged. Hot, skanky gas that was so awful, so horrendously vile that I almost vomited right there on the street.

Every once in a while yThe other day was on Fifth Avenue near the Empire State Building, out to get some lunch. There was a red light at the corner, so I had to wait. No big deal, except for what happened next.

As I stepped into the street, I passed a sewer grating. Well, up from that sewer, down by the subway, which I could hear rumbling underneath, a toxic cloud of gas emerged. Hot, skanky gas that was so awful, so horrendously vile that I almost vomited right there on the street.

Every once in a while you get a blast like that from underground, the fumes from decaying rats and boiling sewage, and the impact is so disturbing it haunts me to this day. If there’s a word that describes the desire to rip your own stomach out through your throat rather than gag up that regurgitate poison gas, then that’s the word I would I use to describe just how truly toxic that experience was.

I shudder just thinking about it ..

The weekends so often seem to just come and go, but this one was really quite nice. I spent it with my girl.

Because last Friday was Good Friday, I got out of work early. The weather was lousy–and stayed lousy–through late afternoon Saturday. Liz and I didn’t do all that much, but we hunkered down and caught up on crazy amounts of TV we had piling up on the DVR. The Office, House, CSI and 24 were among the highlights. And though we stopped watching regularly years ago, we took in the ER The weekends so often seem to just come and go, but this one was really quite nice. I spent it with my girl.

Because last Friday was Good Friday, I got out of work early. The weather was lousy–and stayed lousy–through late afternoon Saturday. Liz and I didn’t do all that much, but we hunkered down and caught up on crazy amounts of TV we had piling up on the DVR. The Office, House, CSI and 24 were among the highlights. And though we stopped watching regularly years ago, we took in the ER series finale and retrospective, which were just sort of okay, but at least we put that puppy to bed once and for all.

On DVD we’ve also been watching Brotherhood–a Sopranos-type show on Showtime–which is totally addictive, plus we’ve been running through Sports Night, one of our all-time favorites.

We went out for burgers. We caught a movie–Adventureland–which was pretty good. We took a nap. We caught a few innings of the Yankee game. We made plans for the coming month. We looked online for a new dog.

Nothing spectacular until itself, but you add it all together and we had ourselves a really nice weekend. Just me and my girl.

I’ll take a weekend like that every time.

I’ve got a new bedtime story for myself, and it goes something like:

STAY AWAKE!

Over the past six months or so, and especially the first few months of this year, after I got laid off, I got into some bad habits. I wasn’t writing as often and regular as I wanted, my sleep cycle changed. but now that I’m getting my mojo back, I need to reshape my schedule.

And if I want to get to all things I say I do–predominantly write my books– there seems to be pretty much only one solutioI’ve got a new bedtime story for myself, and it goes something like:

STAY AWAKE!

Over the past six months or so, and especially the first few months of this year, after I got laid off, I got into some bad habits. I wasn’t writing as often and regular as I wanted, my sleep cycle changed. but now that I’m getting my mojo back, I need to reshape my schedule.

And if I want to get to all things I say I do–predominantly write my books– there seems to be pretty much only one solution: sleep less.

LOL!

Seriously.

Whereas I was going to bed pretty regularly around 9:30 and asleep by 10 pm, I’ve been pushing myself to keep busy until 10 pm, with the idea of being asleep by 10:30. The first few days have been a little rough, but I’m adjusting. Ultimately, I hope to get myself to a regular 11 pm bed time, but we’ll see how that goes.

At the moment, my alarm goes off at 5:20 a.m.–plus a usual 9-minute snooze–but I may have to adjust that as well, having my alarm go off at 5 am. Trust me when I say that thought doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies.

Naturally, this is all in theory, so until or unless I can actually function on six hours sleep–which hasn’t always been the case–this could just be me spinning my wheels. Still, I’m hunkering down to chisel my sleep down from about 7 hours a night to 6, and then see how that treats me.

Wish me luck …

About a year and a half ago Liz and I were in Bed, Bath & Beyond doing some shopping, and as we circled around toward the front registers, I saw it.

I went right to the bin, and had a huge grin on my face. Liz just rolled her eyes and chuckled, because, well, in all fairness to her, I’ve made a few clunker impulse buys in the past (Abdoer … d’oh!). But this one … I just had to have it. It cost $99, which I thought was a fair price all things considered.

So I loaded up the portaAbout a year and a half ago Liz and I were in Bed, Bath & Beyond doing some shopping, and as we circled around toward the front registers, I saw it.

I went right to the bin, and had a huge grin on my face. Liz just rolled her eyes and chuckled, because, well, in all fairness to her, I’ve made a few clunker impulse buys in the past (Abdoer … d’oh!). But this one … I just had to have it. It cost $99, which I thought was a fair price all things considered.

So I loaded up the portable back massager with rotating shiatsu nubs.

It’s 18 months later, and as I’m proud to say–and as Liz will attest–I use it probably three times a week. After a long day slumped over a desk, sometimes I just need that that deep digging into my back. It’s brings me back (no pun intended). It re-energizes me. Simply put, it’s sweeeeet. And I plan on using it again and again and again.

Now, if I can only get Liz on board to buy the $3,000 [i]massage chair[/i].

Ah. For another day ….

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2009/04/09 07:26

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2009/04/16 15:48

Today is a major day. Major. Day.

As a writer, I have many milestones to shoot for, and I’ve finally reached a big one. After more than a year of tinkering away, I finally completed the first draft of CROSSLINE, my follow-up novel to FINDERS KEEPERS.

Man, that feels good!

I’ve still got work to do, however. Now that I’ve got a first draft, I have to read it through, edit, tighten, change, tweak, re-arrange, cut, add and rejigger any sections that need rejiggering. It’s a big tToday is a major day. Major. Day.

As a writer, I have many milestones to shoot for, and I’ve finally reached a big one. After more than a year of tinkering away, I finally completed the first draft of CROSSLINE, my follow-up novel to FINDERS KEEPERS.

Man, that feels good!

I’ve still got work to do, however. Now that I’ve got a first draft, I have to read it through, edit, tighten, change, tweak, re-arrange, cut, add and rejigger any sections that need rejiggering. It’s a big task, but one I can’t wait to get to. When you hunker down with one project for so long, it’s easy to get lost in it sometimes, so it’s just a great feeling to reach the finish line, or, at least, a finish line.

If all goes well I’ll be done with my edits within 60 days, but hopefully less, and then I’ll be able to step away from for it a while as I circulate among my writer buddies for feedback.

More work to be done, but for today, for right now … it’s time celebrate. Today is a damn good day.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2009/04/08 20:41

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2009/04/09 07:27

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2009/04/09 07:28

I’m probably a broken record at this point, but one of my absolute pet peeves about riding the subway are those occasions when I can’t get a seat.

And this is really making me sound old and cranky, but when I was younger (in my 20s, that is), if I had to stand up the whole way to or from work, well … I wasn’t thrilled about it, but I did it, and it wasn’t so bad. But now that… gulp … I’ve got 40 in my sights, my back just can’t take it. I hurt my back five years ago, and it’s never bI’m probably a broken record at this point, but one of my absolute pet peeves about riding the subway are those occasions when I can’t get a seat.

And this is really making me sound old and cranky, but when I was younger (in my 20s, that is), if I had to stand up the whole way to or from work, well … I wasn’t thrilled about it, but I did it, and it wasn’t so bad. But now that… gulp … I’ve got 40 in my sights, my back just can’t take it. I hurt my back five years ago, and it’s never bounced all the way back (no pun intended).

Typically, this hasn’t been a problem. I’ve only had to stand the entire way–either way–maybe four or five times total over the past several years. And yet, now that my morning schedule has changed, it happened twice this week alone. Not good.

After standing for 40 minutes, my back is in agony. It’s bad. And it really ruins my morning, not to mention whatever damage my back is incurring. Now, I’m sure I’ll work out my morning schedule again so that I can get back to getting a seat every day, but I’ve had two really rough mornings this week, and it ain’t no kind of fun.

The worst part is when I’m thinking, [i]does that old lady really need to sit? Is her pain any worse than mine[/i]? And then I slap myself really hard (in my mind, that is). Hey … at least I don’t act on those thoughts. But when my back starts barking like that, logic and good grace start becoming more and more elusive.

It’s just a matter of time until I get my schedule figured out, but until then, every morning is a roll of the dice between reasonable comfort and intense pain.

Riding the subway used to be much less complicated…

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2009/04/08 20:42

One of the key elements that comes with every new job is to scout out the food options. For the past year I worked in Midtown Manhattan, and the choices were weak. In fact, the weakest–and most expensive–I’ve had since I started working in the city back in 1996.

But things have certainly changed. Now that I’m a little lower down–around the corner from the Empire State Building, one food element is as prevalent as it’s ever been in my career:

Fast food galore!

Holy cow. ThereOne of the key elements that comes with every new job is to scout out the food options. For the past year I worked in Midtown Manhattan, and the choices were weak. In fact, the weakest–and most expensive–I’ve had since I started working in the city back in 1996.

But things have certainly changed. Now that I’m a little lower down–around the corner from the Empire State Building, one food element is as prevalent as it’s ever been in my career:

Fast food galore!

Holy cow. There’s Burger King, Wendy’s and McDonald’s. There’s Taco Bell. There’s pizza, pizza and more pizza. KFC. Dunkin’ Donuts. Baskin Robbins. And I’m sure there’s a whole lot more I just haven’t stumbled across yet.

Now, I’m not saying these food options are good options, but man are there choices.

So far I’ve had pizza a few times, but otherwise I’ve stayed clear of the fast food. It sure does taste good, but it’s pretty harsh on the system, so I try to stay clear. But I have a funny feeling that I’ll be breaking into a Whopper soon enough.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2009/04/08 20:44

My brain is cluttered.

I’m in the process of getting a bit uncluttered, but there’s a lot of strands and shrapnel floating around in there. This weekend was one of the good, stay-at-home, not-go-out-too much lay around weekends were I watched a lot of TV, took a few naps, and just got my brain to settle down.

Typically, Saturday is my big, get a lot of stuff done day, but I didn’t have it in me. The culmination of the past few months caught up with me, and I just didn’t have the focuMy brain is cluttered.

I’m in the process of getting a bit uncluttered, but there’s a lot of strands and shrapnel floating around in there. This weekend was one of the good, stay-at-home, not-go-out-too much lay around weekends were I watched a lot of TV, took a few naps, and just got my brain to settle down.

Typically, Saturday is my big, get a lot of stuff done day, but I didn’t have it in me. The culmination of the past few months caught up with me, and I just didn’t have the focus to deal with the various piles that had been, well, piling up. Unopened mail. Dishes. Laundry.

Sunday started out the same way. Liz and I spent the morning on the couch watching the last few episodes of Dexter Season 2–so good; I’m so totally hooked on Dexter–and then … I started to get my mojo back. I went to the gym. I showered. And I finally … finally … finally got to the mail, and paid some bills and just started to unclutter my living space, which just helped unclutter my brain.

I’m not quite totally uncluttered up there in the old noggin yet, but I’m a lot more focused than I’ve been in a while. It feels good. Over the past few months I let a lot of little things slide, and as we all know, those little things can add to up a big, messy pile that just seems to spawn and mutate until it totally takes over.

Well, it didn’t take over, but it sure moved in for a while. I’m glad to see I’ve kicked it’s butt out the door, and that I’m started to get back to my old routines.

My brain isn’t totally uncluttered, but it feels a whole lot better than it has a long while.