Thursday, July 5, 2007

Imperfect - Perfect Day

Hi,

I didn't get to post a Perfect Day post when we were in that subject. I did write one, so late as it is, I still would like to post it. So here goes.

My perfect day is a fantasy since I’ve never actually lived it. I’ve been into reading biographies for a few years now and I read Katherine Hepburn’s Me: Stories of My Life. To sum it up, the book said: It’s All About Me! That would be my perfect day. One in which I was pampered and praised. Not too much praise mind you. Sometimes it can get embarrassing.

I’d begin the day with a relaxing massage. I had one massage in my life and I thought the guy was trying to force the fat out of my body through my pores. I hated it. By the time he finished, I could hardly walk back to my room. I slid into the bathtub and let the soapy water wash the oil off me and then I crawled into bed. However, at a conference in a resort in Arizona, my fellow friends and writers were having massages and raving that they wanted to marry the masseuse. It sounds wonderful and my perfect day would include one of those.

I’d have a light lunch prepared by my housekeeper/cook (who also shops and keeps me on my diet) and while it’s also delicious, filling and nutritious, it won’t add any pounds to my Barbie-doll waistline. Then I’d get dressed to be ready when the limousine comes to pick me up to take me to my booksigning. The line wraps around the block with people waiting for my signature. At the bookstore, my picture is on the store bags and walls. I’ve already checked out Barnes and Noble and know that not all the people on their bags and walls are dead, so I don’t have to die for the opportunity.

My publicist would be there to help with the books and store personnel for crowd control. We know NeXt fans are courteous and friendly, so most of the store personnel’s work is to talk to the people in line and give them papers to write the names they want in the multiple copies of the book they plan to buy. Of course this would be exhausting work for me, but I love this kind of exhaustion.

After a short drink (soft drink) with the publicist where we discuss promotional plans for the next book, I’m returned home for a short nap. I get up to write and the words just stream out of computer. My fingers can hardly keep up with the story the characters are telling. The book pours out of me like an open water faucet. When I finish for the day, I spend the evening with my family and we watch a movie – a love story, of course.

Notice, my perfect day doesn’t include kids or husbands or picnics in the park. After all if it’s perfect. And it’s all about me.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds wonderful......something for you to look forward to experiencing someday :) I hope it happens for you.

CrystalGB said...

Sounds like a great day. Made me wish I could have a day like that.

Stacy S said...

Sounds like a great day. I could go for one like that. Minus the book signing & writer(prefer reading).

Unknown said...

Sounds like a wonderful day. A perfect day for me would have to be getting to spend the whole day reading and having someone to wait on me, not having to cook all the meals and clean and all the other stuff I have to do everyday.

Susan said...

Your perfect day sounds teriffic!

Peg Cochran said...

As an (as yet) unpublished writer, my ideal day is similar to yours although in reverse--I write better in the morning so I'd like to do that first. Then the great book signing and maybe cocktails with friends afterwards. Dinner chez moi with friends after that, all prepared by that fabulous cook of course! Oh, and some exercise thrown in there for good measure! My husband is along for dinner. My kids are off having a wonderful time some place where I don't need to worry about them (even though they're 17 & 23, I never stop worrying!)
Peg C.

Michele L. said...

Yep, we all said it right! Your imperfect day sounds just perfect! Ha! Lets all wish you many more perfect days!

Michele

Shirley Hailstock said...

RubyD,

I hope it happens too, but more than that I am working to help it along. At a recent conference, I let my editors know what I wanted. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Shirley

Shirley Hailstock said...

Crystal,

Go for it. We can do some small things to help ourselves. Maybe you'll have a massage.

I once had an editor call and leave a message on my answering machine gushing over a proposal. I saved the tape and whenever I feel down, I let it play. It's a great pick me up.

Shirley

Shirley Hailstock said...

Stacy,

Reading! How could I leave that out. I would love to just read. Last year my New Year's Resolution was to institute a reading day. On that day, I only read. I didn't write or pay bills or clean the house. I'd sit down with a good book and stay with it until I'd satisfied my NEED TO READ!

Shirley

Shirley Hailstock said...

Virginia,

You are a woman after my own heart. I'd love to have a cook prepare the food and keep everything clean.

It is possible. If you only believe, isn't that what Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) said.

Shirley

Shirley Hailstock said...

Peg,

We never stop worrying about our kids. My son is in Australia for 4 months (exchange student in graduate school) and I'm worried that he doesn't have a warm enough coat.

It's winter there and he only too a jacket. I insisted he go buy a coat and charge it to the credit card he has.

Shirley

Shirley Hailstock said...

Michele,

Thank you. I'll keep my hopes and dreams alive.

Shirley

Shirley Hailstock said...

Susan,

If it happens, I'll be sure tos hout it from the rooftops.

Shirley