Kimberly Menozzi, Author
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A quick re-cap of recent(ish) events

12/9/2011

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Whew! What a long summer! It seems to be getting longer and longer, too, what with this extended warmth into September. Ugh! Enough already!

Anyway, I just thought I'd write and share some of the experiences of this summer with my readers since you were decidedly shortchanged in recent weeks (nay, months!) while I was in the US.

For a start, there was jetlag (isn't there always?), but I still found myself driving after just a couple of days. Obviously I survived, so that's okay. Immediately upon arrival, I found my "proof" copies of my novels waiting for me, and I had a look at them before I approved them for printing.

Maybe that wasn't such a good idea, what with jetlag and all...? Hmmm...

Anyway, a short while after I arrived, I was delighted to find that the Versus channel would be showing both the Tour of Switzerland and the International Criterium. O, delight! O, joy!

And I duly plonked my butt down in front of the TV and watched all the coverage I could, making notes all the while.

I got some writing done.

I did an interview with the local newspaper.

Then I did two book events in Newport, TN, which were both a lot of fun.

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Books and newspaper article, on display at the signing at Comfort Inn of Newport.
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I wonder if this will ever get "old"? I kinda doubt it.
It was a real treat to sit and chat with people who were interested in my work, and it was equally rewarding to do this with people who really, truly want to see the book succeed and for me to do well in this career. The amount of satisfaction I got from doing these events was just incredible.

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Some of the attendees of the Comfort Inn event in July.
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The hubby on holiday. He's even got his towel. He's a really hoopy frood!
Then my hubby arrived from Italy in August and I found myself behind the wheel more than ever, as we traveled from Tennessee to Kentucky to Virginia to North Carolina and back again. We visited friends and family, and found a little time just for the two of us, too. We drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and took a walk in Cades Cove, ate delicious chocolate and unique vegetarian food, slept and shopped and watched TV.

In other words, for the first time in ages I think I had an actual VACATION.

Then we boarded the plane at the beginning of September and flew home.


Over the course of the last few months, I've made more paperback sales - both out of hand and online - and e-book sales have continued at a reasonably steady pace. Stephen King and J.K. Rowling aren't exactly shaking in their shoes or anything, but it's enough to keep me modestly happy and eternally hopeful.

Not to mention: motivated.


Another thing which kept - and keeps - me motivated: fan mail! I got my first fan mail messages this summer, and it was the most surreal, wonderful feeling ever.
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Without motivation, I look something like this, most days.
And this brings me to: now.

I'm still jetlagged (West-to-East is harder than East-to-West, in my experience). It's hotter than normal, so I'm having trouble sleeping at night. I'm trying to get and stay motivated, so I'm not in the aforementioned condition, modelled above by Abel the kitty. I'm also trying to eat right/better so I can lose some weight and feel better all round. You know, like most folks do at New Year's?

And above all, I'm trying to write. I have chapters to crit, and my own writing to do. I have blogs to complete for other sites and reviews to write. I have artwork to prepare and photos to upload.

It's the glamour of a writer's life, don'cha know?

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One day to go...

9/11/2010

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As I start to write this, it is 10:30 in the morning. In twenty-four hours I'll be waiting to board my flight (a whole two-hour journey) to London out of Bologna.

My bags are almost completely packed (just a few items to go).

I've read and re-read my excerpts for the readings until I'm nearly sick of seeing 'em.

I've decided on my outifits for the launch and the readings. (Dressy, not fussy; quite "me", really.)

When Alle and I arrive in London, we'll find my mother and my friend who are waiting for us there (their flight gets in earlier), and we'll get them to the hotel. We'll rest, have dinner, and then?

My nerves will start kicking in and I'll become a chattering, blithering idiot, most likely. LOL! Not that anyone can tell the difference, I reckon.

No, I'm sure we'll have a quick toddle around our neighborhood before we retire to our rooms, chat and then get some rest. Thursday morning, to one degree or another, my London adventure will begin. I hope things go smoothly, and that I don't actually make a fool of myself in front of anyone.

To quote the Grateful Dead (and when you think London, don't you just think of Jerry and the gang?) "What a long, strange trip it's been..." I mean, I started out writing this little short story which I initially meant to be just for me and mine, and instead it became something much, much bigger - both literally and figuratively.

In the end, a story about Bologna is taking me to London, and then back home again where the real world will intrude once more - and regularly at that. I'll have to look on the next ten days as something out of the norm, and cross my fingers and hope and wish and pray that all goes as well as it can.

And then I'll have to knuckle down and get to writing again. I want to see where the next story takes me.
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13 Things I Have to Do by November 10th

28/10/2010

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While I'm running around like a madwoman trying to get everything in order before I head to London for the launch of Ask Me if I'm Happy in November, I thought I'd jump on here and share

13 Things I Have to Do
by November 10th!

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This is what happens when stylists go wild.
1) Cut my hair. Seriously, this mop atop my head is getting outta control.

2) Write blogs. Lots and lots of blogs. Harder than it sounds, because I'm still trying to..
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'Inspire!'
3) ...Work on 27 Stages in the midst of all the Ask Me... promotion work.

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My family. How adorable are they, eh?
4) Rest! I've got to rest, so I don't get sick before I go.

5) Practice reading out loud. I have got to practice this, so I'm not stumbling over my words, getting my tongue tangled 'round my eye teeth so I can't see what I'm saying. Argh!
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6) Get used to bundling up. The cold has come in quick, it seems. Actually, it's no worse than any other time, I'm just so used to being ensconced in my flat I only get out occasionally to feel the weather for myself.

I know, I know, I should be punished severely for this.


7) I have to figure out what I'm wearing while I'm in the UK.
8) I have to plan which events which clothes are for.
9) I have to try them all on to be sure they still fit. Ack.
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Doodle!!!
10) I have to pack them.


Easier said than done.

11) I have to get a cable for the computer so I can just plug in to UK outlets without an adapter.
12) I have to find a shorthand way of describing the story of Ask Me if I'm Happy - or at least, I have to find a way to keep from blathering on and on and...
And, last but most certainly not least...
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13) I have to spend some time with my good friend Laura, who's back in Italy for a short visit. Luckily, she's here before I leave! (and hopefully she won't see this pic before she goes! LOL!)

I've got a lot to get done!















And so little time to do it in!

















And yet, I can always find a little time...






























for a little rugby.
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Hey-Oh!!!
Ciao for now!
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13 Things I Have to Do This Summer

27/5/2010

9 Comments

 
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Summer is here and you know what that means...
I have to get ready to go back to the States for a visit. Since I'm leaving in three weeks or so, I have a lot to do in the meantime - and other stuff to do once I'm there!

This week, I'm giving y'all (and myself!) a sneak preview of what lies ahead of me this Summer Holiday:

13 Things I Have to Do This Summer



1) Book the flights. Actually, I've got this done - with no help from Delta Airlines, btw. Grrrr...


(How are you supposed to buy a ticket when the credit card verification system they use throws up a "Untrusted Encryption" message at ya? Huh? Huh? I called Delta's "helpline" and they told me to call Mastercard. Uh, no, ma'am, the problem is your website geniuses are using a system every browser I have says is unsafe to use. Grrrr... again! May I advise you to use a different system? 'cause who knows how many direct customers you're losing in the meantime... Grrr... If I had other options, believe me, I'd take one of them. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with this bunch of sad sacks because hardly anyone affordable flies to where I'm going.)
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2) Pack for the trip. I know, you'd think three weeks should be enough time. But with a little helper like this, I need all the time I can get!

3) Find substitute teachers for the few lessons I'll miss out on.
4) Complete my edits and send them in. I won't have frequent online access after I leave, and even though I've had the release date pushed back to Autumn, I want to complete these for my original June deadline.
5) Straighten up my office. Seriously, it's a disaster area.
6) Change out all my cool weather clothes for warm/hot weather clothes. Then decide which of those I'm taking with me. I don't usually take a lot with me when I go to the US, but when I'm coming home, I generally have extra stuff.
7) Donate my old clothes I'm not wearing any more. I can't bear to throw them out, so I'm donating them to charity. This should make a lot of space in my closet, I reckon.
After I get to the US, I have to:
8) Get my eyes checked.
9) Start back to work on 27 Stages - which has been on hold while I'm doing those other edits.
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10) Watch the Tour de France in July! Woo-hoo-hoo! :) Yeah, it's Versus' coverage, but I'll take it, baby. Go, SexyBank! Go, Spartacus!

11) Take my mom to see Adam Lambert in July. Yes, you read that right. I'm taking my MOTHER to see Adam Lambert. She absolutely LOVES him. This should be fascinating to watch! LOL!
12) Go shopping for clothes. I always have to do this in the US - my difficulties finding modestly-priced clothing in my sizes in Italy are the stuff of legend.
13) Count the days until my hubby gets to join me in August! I start off okay for the first few weeks, but by the time he gets there, I'm missing him like mad!
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Look at him! Can you blame me???

And there you have them. Thirteen things I have ahead of me this Summer.








You know the drill...


















A little eye-candy awaits...

























Remember, it's Summer!








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Don't forget to sun yer buns!


Ciao!
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    Kimberly Menozzi

    Author. Happily Married. Survivor of life with two deranged kitties.

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