Looking Forward to Awesome Things (Updated -- Twice)

I’m a Human Being Who Writes (Updated — Twice) »

Looking Forward to Awesome Things (Updated — Twice)

January 1, 2013 by Debbi

Me and my awesome husband at Cafe Nero.

I’m writing this because there’s something I just had to publish after the post I put up yesterday, which I’m happy to see one person liked (so far!). Thank you so much! I won’t name names, but thank you.

First, here’s my monthly column for January: I’m Alive.

Well, if you click there, read it and weep or laugh or whatever, I think you can see where I’m coming from.

The digital revolution has been a mixed blessing to say the least. I’m not one to look back at old times through rose-colored glasses, and say, “Gosh, those were the days, and we loved it then. Things were so much better!”

At the same time, we need to always question the sources of our information. Read between the lines. Just because something is on the Internet, that doesn’t make it so.

I fully realize the irony of what I’m saying, but do you really think I’ve faked seven years of having dystonia and fumbling my way toward this point? Like a true idiot? Ha!

Ever feel deeply stupid?

I was so not ready for Oprah. Not just because of the questions, but because I’d have to type in front of a camera. That scared me shitless, but I didn’t mention it, because I wasn’t looking for pity.

So … what would the Dalai Lama do? Laugh! I look at my own first post on this blog, and realize how stupid I was and have to laugh or I’ll go mad.

Yet, without that blog, I wouldn’t know so many people I’ve come to know. They are people to me. Not just “my royal subjects” or whatever. Ha ha ha …

That’s why I’m writing this. I never want to lose that. I’m a human being. I’m a writer and a human being. I found a reader in another country through blogging. That was so special. But my life and my love will always come first.

I have a wonderful and supportive family. I’ve come to know the most awesome bloggers and authors due to ~~the magic of~~ the Internet.

The awesome thing is that despite everything, I can truthfully say, I’m happy to be alive, no matter how painful it can be!

Let’s go forward with hope for the best!

Here are some interesting links:

Smithsonian says ‘Stay home’.

Above all we are individuals.

Beatles seen, from unusual angles.

Speaking of which, have I mentioned my parody of John Lennon? The one I wrote when I was very young and enamored of him.

It’s called “A Nuder Dog in the Leaf (rewritty)” by Jane Lemons. Get it?

Coldplay delivers as usual.

Playing by heart, with or without a score.

Holy shit, Little Miss Princess! Ha ha ha …

Crappy new years, everyone! Ha ha ha …

Finally, from Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, the best song ever to end this with! Thank you, Paul! You’re a damned saint. Ha ha ha …

Me and Paul at THE Brentwood Library

Okay, one more video …

Surprise!

PS: OMG! Happy new blog, Marissa Payne! Most awesome!!!! Very tasteful, indeed.

Real bloggers rock!

“We don’t see the people who are doing real things getting enough props. We often see politicians who are everywhere but nowhere at the same goddamn time. You know the kind of person: You see them everywhere on television but nowhere in front of your face.”

Chuck D, born 1st August 1960

Damn straight!

UPDATE: If you’re interested in memoirs, here’s new memoirs so powerful they’ll turn your life inside out. At least, according to whoever wrote that headline. Ha ha ha …

And here’s one I really love! In fact, I loved it so much, I bought it for my new Kobo device. It’s called THE GLASS CASTLE.

The old (nicer) cover.

Download away! Ha ha ha …

Hey, I’m only human. Ha ha ha …

Thank you, Christa Faust! This tweet made me laugh so hard, I nearly forgot I was being tortured constantly!!!!

Now do you understand why I hung out with Christa at Bouchercon this year and last year and this year and again.

And, apparently, through good choices or good karma or whatever, I found Paul, and realized I was an idiot.

I’m now a happy fool! That makes all the difference.

UPDATE 2: To all my subscribers and anyone who happens to read this, all I can say is that this has been the single most unbelievable year of my life.

Better than hitting the New York Times bestseller list. Really!

This is the year I learned how to face life and laugh at the pain of living.

I owe this in large part to Scott and Mary C and Chris V over at World O’ Crap. Sorry, I can barely type, okay?

But when I did tonight’s teaser on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, I just had to add this update.

First, to quote Paul:

It’s now, officially, 2013.

And a day that — after a quick look outside — actually looks vaguely sunny.

Hopefully, that’s a good sign.

After all, 2012 was Britain’s wettest year.

Actually … ? It was possibly Britain’s finest year in years: my only regret about it was the lack of a job meant I couldn’t afford to go see the Olympics in person.

Still … it DID set the bar: let’s hope 2013 is as good.

Hang in there, Paul. Here’s a very old column I wrote once.

I share this for anyone who might be discouraged and feeling like they can’t go on.

I’ll quote the best parts:

Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, once said, “Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.” I couldn’t agree more.

Persistence is an essential quality for any entrepreneur, especially those who are doing creative or cutting-edge work. Biotech startups, inventors, artists, musicians and, yes, writers know that they’ll never succeed if they allow failure and disappointment to stop them.

I speak from experience when I say that if it weren’t for sheer bullheaded persistence, I would’ve washed out of the fiction writing business ages ago.

Okay, then I wrote a bunch of stuff about what happened to me, blah, blah … ha ha ha …

Somebody once said, “When the world says ‘give up,’ hope whispers ‘try one more time.’”

So, whatever your goal and whatever the obstacle, just try one more time. And keep trying. Because you never know what lies beyond the bend.

Now, I’ve not only written and published books, but raised the bar on myself. And I’m not quitting.

I’ve not only tested the boundaries of my domain, but I seem to have broken the barrier.

So … either I’m secretly British or a real writer … I guess … ha ha ha …

And here’s an awesome quote from Paul’s blog:

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ”

Benjamin Franklin

Amen, to that, Paul! Amen!

Also … click here for photos of Brentwood!

More photos? Sure. Life is a dream! So, here we go … on the magical mystery tour of England!