Kristin Butcher... has novel ideas

Goodness ... I can't believe it ... it's aleady the end of September. I have been writing practically non-stop since January 1st. Time flies when you're having fun. And I definitely am enjoying myself.

Since I am a procrastinator by nature, I create little dares and competitions for myself, intended to prod me into action. The fact that I fall for these ploys makes me either very dim-witted or very clever -- I'm not sure which. All I know is that it reinforces my belief that there are two of me living inside this body, which would account for why I'm always fighting my weight.

This last week has been frustrating. I've been waiting for the arrival of the editorial comments for one of my manuscripts, so that I can begin work on the second draft. It still hasn't arrived. (It would seem someone else is also procrastinating.) So what am I doing while I wait?

I love my job. I can't think of anything I'd rather do, BUT ...

This one is short.

In my search for a photo for my publishers, I tried a few -- colour, black and white, head shot, more body (not one of my favourites) etc. I finally decided on this one, but unfortunately it was only 72 dpi, and the publisher needed at least 300 dpi. I know this is the result of the photographer sending me manageable files via email, but the end result is that I can't use the one I would like. I also can't use the one that looks like Popeye or the others that are equally unflattering, but nevertheless, the photo I would like to use is not accessible.

Rats!

Here's a first ... two blogs on the same day! 

For the last few days I have been trying to wade through the 'To-Do' things piling up on my desk. Some are major; some less pressing, but the longer I leave them, the more guilty I feel regardless of their importance. I have made a dent, but as more things pour in, the pile remains as high as ever. Eventually, I know I shall just give some of it the old heave-ho and cut my losses. The guilt will eventually subside.

Enter self-serving rationalization. 

... strange bedfellows, wouldn't you say?

And yet that is what I am currently feeling. I am ecstatic (Faithful blog readers, I trust you note this is an 'E' word) that Annick Press wants me to write another book for them. However, the topic has me in a bit of a panic.

Pre-Colonial Africa.

Yeah -- like I need another project. (Just in case you're wondering, that was the negative, I-don't-need-any-more-work part of me being snide.) And it's true, I don't need any more work. I already have a ton of projects on the go or lined up waiting to take off. But that doesn't stop me from adding another one to the list.

Okay. Here's the deal. I am presentable -- not gorgeous, even in my youth -- but presentable. Even so, I don't photograph particularly well. As I get older, it gets to be even more problematic. I'm rounder and my chops are similar to Charlie MacArthy's. No bells ringing? Clearly, you're too young -- and I'm very jealous.

The thing is that none of this would even matter, if I didn't have to provide a photograph to my publishers for promotional purposes. But, unfortunately, I do.