my muse, my johnny

My husband calls this porridge-coloured wooly wrap my ‘blogging poncho’ with the same face you make when you find something blue and fuzzy growing on whatever it is you’ve almost finished eating.

Now it’s evolved into the ‘book-writing poncho’, just shy of one step above the hedgehog. All I need are the array of cats, the spectacles and the solitary cabin and the vision will be complete.

Ah, my sweet, long-suffering Compaq. You’re too old for me, but I love you anyway. We’re good together. I can turn you on in a heartbeat. You rarely forget stuff, and never hassle me before breakfast. You keep my lap warm. You take me places. You almost never talk back.

Saint Justin (sarcasm scan reports zero) is a widower by way of nightowlism and chronic laptoppery. In his head I am half as cool as I used to be after five consecutive summers of band camp because being a shut-in is, like, totally HOT.

+++++

There’s one big scene left—the crux—before the second draft of the book is complete. Then a few small potholes to fill, then a quick pillage and tighten, an allover body massage so that my baby rolls into the publishing house all limbered up and dewy.

I have help.

He is the freight train of all that happens in tannery hollow. As loud as I can stand it, he is the soundtrack of the chase, the madness. They (the hunted) don’t know who he is but if they did, they’d respect him. He is not of their kind but a parallel brother.

There they are, jostling and taunting. They stink. I push up my sleeves and yell back and they break it up, do as I say. A ghost in their world, I’ve got street cred. I come bearing the Man in Black.

+++++

I’ve got three weeks to finish. Three weeks to get it ready for copyediting and if the publishers agree, it’ll be on shelves in nine months, moved up to a Fall 2009 release instead of Spring 2010.

This is big. This is exciting. This is WAAAGHAHGHHAA!

The fast-track may not happen if structural reworking is needed. And that would be okay too. But I'll shoot for it, word-rustle to match that chug-a-chug chug-a-chug. Then it’s chapter illustrations, grey scratchings, repulsively delicious. Then the making of story into book—the launch, the marketing, all foreign to me.

It’s going to be the newest of new years.

Comments

[thordora]

I'm so happy for you I could scream. But I won't, because I have a headache and frankly, I'd rather not wake the kids till the book comes out. :)

[AmandaW]

My best friend adopted two boys from an abusive background a year ago. I am sharing my music collection with the nine year old and I am so proud to say that his momma is, like, totally sick of hearing him sing the one line he remembers over and over, "And it burns burns burns, the ring of fire. The ring of fire."

[flutter]

this just made my heart explode

[beyond]

wow. wow. WOW. i come here often and rarely comment. love your writing, always have. feel like i know you a teeny bit after all these years (in a non-weird way of course). wow! this is fantastic. am very happy for you.

[Jo]

Kate: You are writing a BOOK. holy man, that's a true dream, lady. i am so happy for you. it's awe inspiring. you can bet i'll be buying it. and reading it in one long night, all cozy and warm and wrapped up in my own johnny ;). cheers to you - so good for you...XO

[camerashymomma]

oh man!! i cannot wait, although i sit waiting patiently dreaming of devouring your words, i cannot wait to read your book! the newest of new years for sure!

just the other day river chimed in from the backseat "how did he fall in a ring of fire? a campfire?" how does one go about explaining... sometimes people write stories and songs about how they're feeling on the inside ...

and here you are doing it. writing it down.
i'm so excited for you!

[Kelsey]

I can't wait!

[LaskiGal]

What an amazing adventure you have in store for you. Heck, probably already feels like you've been on one . . . and then some.

I am so excited for you that I am left with a silly, sloppy grin on my face.

Now I shall go dream of Cash.

[Gal]

You rock! You rock!! You rock!!!

[Missy]

Oh, that's wonderful. Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well for you. :)

[Tracy]

Ooh yay, book progress etc etc sorry but you posted a picture of Johnny Cash and now I can't concentrate any more...

*wanders off*

(Seriously, YAY! You are so awesome.)

[janis]

WOOT! You go, gal!!
Fall 2009 you said? I better go dig out that rusty tin can from under my bed and see how much money I've got in there, I've been saving, ya'knows? ;-)
Thrilled for you! XOXO

[maggie, dammit]

God Kate this is SO EXCITING. I'm in awe of you, and I'm in love with your writing. I can't wait to buy the book.

[Bon]

dude. and with Johnny Cash in your corner, how can you be anything but a maestro?

finish up fast so we have time to play after Christmas, huh?

[mnkathy]

I cannot wait for the press/marketing of the book to begin. The thought of an interview with Kate Inglis explaining that the Man In Black is her muse...well, that would be delicious to see/hear/read. And this, as is every post...blog candy...no, blog CRACK for me. :)

Congrats, Kate. What will you do with the wooly wrap post book writing? Will it go on a book tour with you?

[shannon]

Hi Kate,
I would love to read your book. If I can find it.
I had to smile when I read the chug-a-chug-a line. We just recently got a Dora book with buttons to push that make sounds to correspond with the story. The book is about Azul (a train) and its hilarious. Funniest chuga chuga sound ever. When I hear that sound, I will think of you, and wish you luck on finishing your book.

Merry Christmas!

[tash]

Holy crap, I can't believe it's happening this soon!! AAAIIIEEEEEE!!!

A new year indeed. Please let me know when the book tour takes you south into my neck of the woods -- oh, and when we can advance purchase and drive interest up. Publishers like that.

I'd make a comment about "Personal Jesus," but someone probably beat me to it already.

[leigh]

Congrats! How exciting, can't wait to read.

[Kristen]

I'm so excited for you. What great news!

[m]

2009, it's going to be a kick-ass year.
xo

[BHjesus]

I collect autographed books that say "To my favorite blogger, Black Hockey Jesus".

[mamie]

excited beyond real words to know we will read your tome sooner than later. now get back to work!

[Marika]

Congratulations! You're one of my favorite writers, so I'm excited for everyone else in the world to hop on the bandwagon. Good luck in the final push :)

[janet]

I want to read it now. Right now.

So get back to work, okay? ;)

[mns nm]

oh wow - Kate! That's fantastic!

[nicole]

congrats! sounds so exciting and amazing! (and, of course, good luck :) )

[deezee]

let me chime in with a big ol' congrats. moving along like that is huge.

[slouching mom]

holy shit, kate. that is all kinds of wonderful.

[tanya]

hurray for you kate! i cannot wait to buy it!!

[Ashley]

I just cannot tell you how excited I am to read this book - almost bursting with anticipation. (I also can't wait to just be in the bookstore and look at the person standing next to me and say - this author? Yeah, I've been reading her blog for a couple of years now. This may incite some weird stares, but I'm ok with that.)

[Jenn]

Yayyyy!!! So thrilled for you! Can't wait to read your book, you do rock.

[schmutzie]

I can't wait to read it!

[Kristin]

I'm so beamingly, incredibly proud of you, friend.

[Trenches of Mommyhood]

And I'll be waiting in line to read your work! Congrats and can't wait!

[Must Be Motherhood]

I either missed or totally spaced on the fact that you've been working on this. (My vote is the latter.) Horray! Totally looking forward to it.

[Julia]

Johnny's DA man around here. Just ask Monkey.

Rock on, my friend!

[NotSoSage]

Holy freight train, Johnny!

Good for you.

I look forward to imbibing your incredible talent in print! On actual pages!

[emily]

Aaah!! I'm tingly all over! (And limber and dewy and whatnot.)

That Hedgehog post is one of my favorites.

[anna tempt]

I am new to this and your writing is inspiring ... flows out. I will be getting that book.

[She Likes Purple]

Book marketing is what I do and it's usually a very good thing if they bump up the pub date. They want that book out there for a reason. I'm thrilled for you. May you enjoy this ride (and may you have a great team behind you supporting your work).

[Woman in a Window]

Steamrolled. Wow.
Holy crap! That's big, so big. Good for you!

[Bridge]

wow! wonderful news on the book sweetie. sounds hard and dreamy all in one.
i too, love Johnny Cash and carry him with me on IPOD to work out and entertain children on car rides.

[Sus @ wigglerooms]

Just clicked over from Ordinary Art. This is so exciting... the idea of publishing. Holds the same allure for me as the idea of being on stage in a darkened Broadway theater. Kudos to you.

[kristin]

wow i guess it will be. congrats can't wait to hear more about it. kudos to you.
xo oh and i love johnny