Gus, the thing to remember about that kind of public appearance is that the audience has neither animus nor bloodlust. They're rooting for you all the way - if your surname was Bush or Rove, that might be a different deal, but they want to see you do well.

It's a good starting point, that realisation.

Some writing ~ma requested. I'm doing the rough draft for my first college paper in, oh....32 years. I am 340 words into 1400. I know, easy peasy considering the amount of words most of you write on a daily basis, but I haven't written like this ever.

So, ~ma, please??

Plz to accept writing ~ma no charge sign here plz.

signs for ~ma

t gives tip

What's the topic, Aims? Is input needed, or are you zooming along?

deb, that piece for Seal was tremendous. I was going to send you comments by email, but I have none beyond it was tremendous.

It nudged my thinking also, about some stuff in my own past, so thank you.

It nudged my thinking also, about some stuff in my own past, so thank you.

I think that means it's doing its job. I never used to be able to do this sort of non-fiction, because it cost me too much emotional blood. Fiction, even when I was hitting stuff that pinged me hard, was a lot easier. But with the Kinkaids, that all went south. I'm starting to wonder whether I've opened enough of an interior source to where I can do this sort of non-fiction writing, and have it be effective.

BTW, thanks to everyone who read the other essay (the quickie I begged help for yesterday). I think it's a nice little read, nothing special, mostly because the word limit was so damned tight (1500 words! Not one word more!); I could probably have tweaked it so that I liked it even better.

But Rochelle (the editor who wanted it) says "it's the essay of my dreams." So it's off my plate, she's got it and loves it, and that one's off my plate. It sure isn't the essay of my dreams, but if it makes her happy, no worries.

edit: also, vibes around 2 pm my time would be welcomed with open arms. It's the conference call with Daymond and his manager, Bernie Yuman.

What's the topic, Aims? Is input needed, or are you zooming along?

My topic is "Teaching Birth Control in Public Schools". I zoomed along through my points about how abstinence is BAD, got to 969 words and then died. I haven't been able to find any documentation to back me up, and I SAY SO isn't gonna cut it.

I also discovered that part of the problem was that Joe was feeding me the Nighttime TheraFlu, and I ws crashing hard. I'm working a bit now to see if I can get it closer to the 1400. I sent it in anyway, and will send more before I get on the plane tonight.

Oh dear. I'm supposed to write a description of my book. I don't know how.

Allyson, what's the end target? Cover blurb, pitch, what?