Getting Ready for AWP: New Glasses, New Hair, New Book, and Getting Used to Hugs Again

Me with new glasses

Getting Ready for AWP

It’s a few weeks before AWP, and I’m trying to prep as much as possible beforehand. I was thinking that AWP for me feels like a kind of re-entry ritual. I went to the eye doctor and got a new prescription—I’d been squinting for at least a year without going in for a check, but I decided to bite the bullet, get the news that yes, my prescription had changed, and got some new frames too.

I also decided to try permanent pink at a professional’s hand—a process that took two hours compared to the twenty minutes it took to do temporary color at home. But I thought, maybe it was time. I’ve been trying on clothing, figuring out outfits, getting rid of things that are worn out or don’t fit, and making sure I had comfortable walking shoes that will work for AWP. For so long I’ve been living in fuzzy slippers! I’m throwing out old makeup and trying out new stuff—I even went inside a IRL store (Blue Mercury, which just opened near our house) to try some things on in person, instead of just ordering online and hoping things worked.

I realized at our last book club—which was a lot of fun—that I wasn’t used to things like hugs, or people talking to me too close—after several years of being extremely cautious, social distancing, etc. But a small group at a winery is pretty low-risk compared to AWP—so it’s good practice, and I left after feeling really cheered by good conversation (and a few book sales!) So, I am looking forward to social interaction, even though I’m still a little anxious about it.

Pink Hair, Kirkland sunset

And It’s Not Just AWP…Birthdays, Parent Visits, and Book Launches

I have my parents coming to visit for the first time in six years, and my 50th birthday to plan, as well as the official release of Flare, Corona. So, I have to get my house in order (carpet cleaning in the basement? Yes! Getting rid of junk in the basement? Also yes!) I haven’t even started with sending out my book cards or my e-mail book announcement yet, so it’s weird that I have a stack of books already. It’s kind of nice that my publisher is so ahead of the game.

I also have a frenetic kitten in my life—yesterday morning she decided when we let her out on our back porch, to fully jump into the birdbath, which we then had to immediately transfer her to her very first bath. This kitten is adorable and cuddly sometimes, and a bitey/scratchy machine at other times. And as far as turning 50, mostly I’ve been “celebrating” that by a ton of doctor appointments who want to check in on my thyroid, my hormones, my bleeding disorder, my liver…well, just lots of things that you have to test when you get to a certain age. My year so far has been filled with doctor appointments, which are occasionally useful, like my MS doctor who just ordered home physical therapy for me, which will be great, and some anti-fatigue medications, most of which I am nervous about taking. I have been watching a lot of friends contend with serious medical problems in themselves, their kids, and their spouses, so keeping up your network of doctors (especially post-pandemic, when so many of them have left/retired/gone on sabbatical) is actually important.

And I’ve been setting up book launches around town—one at a winery in Woodinville, one at Open Books, and now also one at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park (keep an eye on my calendar). I even have a virtual reading in New York State set up. All this, and trying not to catch covid, or break anything, or have any health crises before all these events. We don’t control everything, but I’m trying to be careful and conscious. I’m also hoping the winter ends soon as we can see spring instead of snow. I can just hope for the best, and hope I might see some of you soon.