Well, I’m back from Bouchercon and back in time for the first snow in my town and fighting off the last vestiges of what I thought was a sinus infection, but seems to be a garden variety, phlegm-producing cold. I’ve been pissed off at myself that I’ve been ignoring the chunks of time that I’ve put in my calendar to go to the gym, but then I realize … I really can’t breathe properly right now and I’m hacking up lung cookies. Maybe they don’t want me at the gym? Probably not. I’ll work off the Halloween candy that I’ve been stealing from my kids next week.
I have so much to process from Bouchercon and a list of “to-dos” (that I originally said I’d have done by Wednesday … ha!). Look for more posts in the coming weeks – people I met, books that are now on my list (or in my 20 lb. box), etc.
I’m an unabashed Carrie Fisher / Princess Leia fan. I loved Carrie Fisher for her blunt honesty about depression and addiction. I remember reading “Postcards from the Edge” when I was way too young to realize / understand its contents, but even then my brain grasped her brilliant talent and biting wit. (And now I realize, I really should read Postcards again.) It turns out that Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd is just as talented as a writer. Time Magazine featured an essay by Lourd that memorializes her daughter and her journey in becoming Princess Leia’s keeper. The last line made me cry.
This piece features favorite songs reimagined as book covers. It’s awesome.
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Watching: I got to watch Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart” on my flight from ORD to DFW. It’s a coming-of-age story about two best friends and their last night before high school graduation. The dialogue is whip-smart and whereas I am now old enough to be the mom in these “coming of age” stories, I couldn’t help but remember my high school friends and I. How lucky I was (and am) to have them. It’s a great movie.
Reading: First and foremost – a disclosure. I shipped 20 pounds worth of books back to Minnesota from Bouchercon. I haven’t even opened the box yet, because I don’t want to see the expression on my husband’s face when he sees my haul. But beyond the AMAZING amount of books netted, I had a really weird moment of symmetry / destiny on my recent Bouchercon trip. I was at Content Bookstore in Northfield recently and bought a used copy of Karen Dionne’s The Marsh King’s Daughter. This was an “it” book from a few years back and it wasn’t long into my trip and in the book itself that I realized why everyone raved about it. It’s an intense read from beginning to its conclusion. And … Karen Dionne was at Bouchercon. I had no clue that she was going to be in attendance and I was thrilled to talk to her and get her to sign my copy. I finished the book from DFW to ORD and wow … I can’t recommend the book enough.
Writing Life: What is the line from the song … I’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there? <– That’s pretty much my writing life right now. Which is a blessing, but a big challenge too. But … one that I’m up for. Attending Bouchercon was a huge inspiration and it’s time to leverage that to get my work done.
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What is Friday Fare? As a recap, on Fridays I post link love to the various bits of arcane shiz I discover on the Interwebs. I liken it to a glimpse into my mind, but without the 80s song lyrics or mental cobwebs.
michellekubitz 
The writing life means writing something creative every day, even if it’s only a single sentence or phrase that captures an emotion or thought — or opens a door to a potential story line. Just sayin’…
I appreciate this. And i can’t wait to catch up with you next week.