I’m just a few days away from my New York City excursion. I’m attending the annual ASJA (American Society of Journalists & Authors) Conference. I can’t help but think that I wish I was more prepared. Then again, last year I was the most ready I’ve ever been and the results were just okay. Maybe I’ll be surprised this time. I have several book ideas and my hope is that I’ll find an agent. A publisher would also be great. 
I just got my new personal cards from London that are about half the size of regular business cards. They have my picture on one side and my contact info. on the other. I’m calling them “Mini-Me.” I ordered them fromMoo.com and the quality is quite good. They arrived surprisingly fast given their international transit. I’d recommend trying them. I’ll post a sample soon. 
Meanwhile, I’m thinking about getting a Twitter account. A few friends think I should do it since I’m a writer. What do you think? Pro or con?

Signs of the Times

Just got back from a business/pleasure trip to Orlando. Based on the crowds at Disney World, we're all either in denial or the rumors of our economic collapse are overly exaggerated. Of course Spring Break is hardly a fair time to judge the crowds at Disney. At least, it was someone's spring break. What was most disturbing was the cost-cutting measures Disney has deployed. They are scrimping and it shows. Cast members were fewer and farther between (and not all smiles, either). Some of the co-branding they have been doing with McDonald's and Nestle for example, has ended or isn't as prevalent. We were told by some insiders that contracts simply weren't renewed when Disney realized they could replicate the food and save money. Look, a Nestle Tollhouse cookie can't be fabricated. It either is or it isn't. Let's just say that when I can buy Tollhouse cookies at SuperTarget and not in the Magic Kingdom, the Mouse has messed up. Perhaps this seems like a small change, but I think it's a bad move. I've always been a big fan of Disney. But you can't dilute the brand or the brand experience and think your fans won't notice. Change might be inevitable, but it doesn't mean it's always good. More on this later.

Food For Thought

I'm overwhelmed. I feel like there is so much to do and so little time. Aside from cloning, what are my options? Well, I'm thinking of sleeping less. (Thanks a lot Daylight Savings Time).  I've found that the afternoons get covered up or interrupted with phone calls and interviews fairly quickly. I'm not really a morning person, but I am planning on trying the early morning writing ritual. If nothing else, I'm hoping it will improve my discipline. I suppose it's like any other decision, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, etc. Only I can do it. No one else can do it for me. 

A few years ago my wife, a.k.a. Coach Kyna, and I came up with a simple guiding principle: Enjoy life more. In fact, it's on her calling card. My theory is, if I apply myself, I will enjoy life more. Or at least I'll increase my chances. 

So, my new plan is—sleep less, write more. Wish me luck. Or not.

Mister Write

Why is it that so many fiction writers who 'burst' on the scene have such bizarre personal stories? Perhaps the fiction really lies in their histories. Or maybe perception is just reality. Take Reif Larsen, for example. His debut novel, an illustrated story about a cowboy's son, reportedly earned a near-million-dollar advance. Besides attending a "progressive" school where he apparently didn't have to learn how to spell, Larsen has more recently produced a tour of Botswanan marimba players. See what I mean? Actually, there's no way he's making that up.

Since my life is normal by comparison, I'm beginning to think I need to fabricate a tortured past for my literary pursuits. Perhaps I'll even use a nom de plume to protect the innocent. Besides, a messed-up childhood makes for a much better (and more lucrative) memoir. So, I'm going to have to get creative about my past. Either that or I'm moving to NYC. That way I'm guaranteed some bizarre life-altering experiences to enhance my writing. Or I'll just go broke first.