My non-writing life

Still in Los Angeles. One more day to go.

I had lunch with a dear friend yesterday. We used to teach together and when I say teach, I really mean we were in the trenches together. We fought the system at one of those huge high school institutions in the inner city. We broke away to start a charter school that is just kicking butt now.

I’m not at liberty to reveal personal details, but she’s going through a lot right now. This is a strong, independent woman and the one of the most dedicated teachers I know. She got dealt a bad hand of cards for absolutely no reason at all and she doesn’t deserve it. Karma doesn’t deal good or bad cards though. Karma allows her to go through all she has and still smile and laugh with me over sushi.

I didn’t mention my writing life at all. It’s not that it isn’t important and I didn’t want to brag, but different things are important to me when I’m with my non-writing friends. Writing is something I’m “stuck” with all the time when I’m in front of a computer or driving or doing chores on my own. I’m okay with taking a break. đŸ™‚

Hubby and I then visited the friend who officiated our marriage ceremony. He had two rug rats running around and was excited to tell us about a new robotics class he was going to teach. He and hubby geeked it out for a while before I was too tired to keep my eyes open. Unlike me, hubby does like to talk about programming when he’s not on the job.

Hubby's reaction

Still in California. Had a wonderful day yesterday having lunch with a friend at El Indios (the proclaimed birthplace of the taquito) and then exploring Old Town San Diego. Many pictures to come once I can find the cable to get these pictures off my phone.

I was reflecting on how many people have asked what hubby’s reaction has been to my recent Golden Heart® and agent news. I wonder why that is? I guess we’re romance people and we always want to know how people balance writing with life and love and everything else.

I try not to let writing take over our conversations. We both have full time jobs to discuss and kibitz about. I don’t talk to him about my plot or writing issues, etc. But I do update him on how the hunt is going and gush a little with him for every contest final or full request. And with each update, I have to explain to him what Romance Divas are, what RWA is, what’s a critique group, etc.

So yesterday I was searching a bookstore for Silver Phoenix and hubby came over with me to the Romance section.

“So explain to me, how do you know which publishing house these are from?” Hubby is a programmer, a techie at heart. He likes to probe and question and break things down.

I showed him the listings on the book spines: Pocket Books, NAL, Avon.

“Which house do you want?” he asked.

I laughed. “Anyone who will take me.”

I showed him a Julia Quinn book and he asked me what her husband did. I explained that he was a research Ph.D. in infectious diseases and that she made more than he did. He protested that once I made it big, he wouldn’t be motivated like that. He’d quit his job and spend his days planning meals for us. Keep in mind that hubby is actually super-driven with his job; a total Type A, alpha male. He does, however, love to cook.

“Nora Roberts’ husband is supposedly extremely good as a handy man. He helps her run a bed and breakfast.”

He grinned. “Now that’s more like it.”