David Fingerman

For the past few days I’ve been sitting here whining to myself about why my publisher hasn’t gotten back to me yet after they promised that they would. This is the second time that this has happened. I really hate having to write another letter asking what’s up. Then I got another email today from a small press magazine publisher where I sent a short story last January. He’s offering me a deal for a one year subscription to his magazine at a reduced rate because I’ve been so patient. (Actually, I forgot that I had sent it there or I would’ve withdrawn it long ago.) Oh yeah – the story is still under consideration. (Why do I get the feeling that if I don’t subscribe, the story is going to be rejected?) Then of course, there’s the economy. I’m watching my savings dwindle farther and farther every day. I admit it – it’s a sick compulsion that I have. I know that I shouldn’t look until the market starts to recover, but I’m afraid that if I do that, the next time I look there won’t be anything left.

So as I’m sitting here stewing about my savings (or lack thereof), my writing, those incredibly negative ads involving Al Franken and Norm Coleman that can’t be avoided for anyone who flips on a TV in Minnesota (how can any sane person not despise both of them by now?), I get an email from a friend of mine. It’s one of those forwards that are probably circulating around the country (if not the world). It’s a slide show presentation of the devastation caused by hurricane Ike. Homes and other buildings are nothing more than piles of rubble, neighborhoods still half-buried under water, dead livestock, the anguish in the faces of the survivors, the list goes on.

Now I’m sitting here wondering what right do I have to complain? (Well, I’ve got every right – this is still a free country.) But c’mon, as bad as it presently is, I’m still living in the best country in the world (although I really enjoyed my visits to Australia and Canada), I’ve got a roof over my head, I’ve got wonderful friends, and I’m still healthy. Ya know – I have it pretty damn good.

Stacy Raye Waibel just published her first children’s book “Rudy Gets a Transplant.” Rudy is the ‘cute’ black poodle. In the story, Rudy needs a new kidney. It’s a light, uplifting tale (tail?) that is a must for any parent who has a child facing the terrifying experience of getting an organ transplant. In Rudy’s (a child’s) point of view, he takes you through an almost step-by-step process of prepping for the operation all the way to recovery. Sounds scary, huh? Not the way Rudy tells it. Stacy has the uncanny ability to take away the fears and replace them with positive vibes that assures everything will be all right.

Stacy Raye is no stranger to transplants. She had a kidney transplant in 1995 and a pancreas transplant in 2003. In her book she takes the facts and transplants them into a language that a child can understand, and a parent will appreciate.

The artwork is done by seventh grader, Ali Gratz. She received a kidney from her dad in 2006. Together, Stacy and Ali make one dynamic duo.

“Rudy Gets a Transplant” is not to say that this book is only for children in need of transplants. It’s a fun learning adventure for any kid. I’ve known Stacy and Wayne (her husband) for a couple of years now, and have heard many a Rudy tales. Hopefully, it’s the first of many Rudy adventures to see print.

To order this book, go to: www.rudyslittleworld.com. And while you’re there, stop, browse and play. There’s lots to do.

As I struggled to come up with an idea for this week’s blog, I thought of the question that just about every writer I know, or have heard of, gets asked. . . Where do you get your ideas? There are the good old reliable answers – Where don’t I get them? A small town in (you can fill in the state). I dunno. Dreams. Shut up – what a stupid-ass question. The list goes on.

For me, my standard answer is where don’t I get them. Right now I’m listening to the rain come down outside my window. For whatever reason I just thought of acid rain – hydrochloric acid raining down on the earth. Oh, the possibilities. So the idea goes on a piece of paper and placed in my ideas file (see 8-13-08 blog).

Okay, that’s for fiction. Lies are easy. I can’t wait for the day when my books (see what an optimist I am – I’m using the plural, as in I’m going to publish more than one book), make me bunches of money (even more optimism), and when people ask me what I do, I can tell them I lie for a living.

But on the blog front, where in my first blog I promised to be honest, well, that must use a different part of the brain. I’m really having trouble coming up with subject matter. How tough can it be coming up with one topic for writers per week? Of course there are a multitude of writing tips, but the vast majority have been beaten to death by writers far more prolific and elegant than I. (Hmmm, fiction – optimist/ nonfiction – pessimist. I wonder what that says about me?) I want to write articles (or I guess they’re called blogs) that will help the reader/writer and also entertain while at the same time giving a glimpse of my life. So, I’m asking you, dear reader, send me your ideas. I’ll tackle any subject as long as it is somehow related to writing. C’mon people – what do you want to know (about writing)? Hell, back me into a corner and I’ll even do (shudder) research. Tell me, where do you get your ideas?

I’m very good at under-simplifying and confusing the hell out of myself.

I’m guessing that my present novel is about 1/2 complete. As a goal, I’ve generously given myself until the end of the year to finish the first draft (not that there will be any penalty if I don’t make it, other than not reaching my goal and getting depressed). I figure that’s plenty of time. But lately I’ve found myself drawn to other things. As mentioned in my last blog, I’m working on a short story for a writing contest. That’s actually taking longer than anticipated (I’m actually having to do research – blech). Last night I became the vice president of the Minneapolis Writers’ Workshop (a great place for writers to get their work critiqued – see www.minneapoliswriters.org). Like Sarah Palin, I have no idea what a v.p. is supposed to do, but I’m sure that it will involve some amount of time. (For those of you that know me – yes – I was president of the workshop at two previous times, but I never really kept track at what the v.p. did.) There is also my book of short stories which I’m constantly reworking and editing (and will hopefully be published by the end of the year). What this brings me to is that I’m spending less and less time on my novel, which just a few weeks ago was the biggest priority in my writing life.

Right now I’ve got plenty of excuses not to be working on the novel. What bothers me is that when the contest deadline passes, and the final decisions on my short story collection have been made and sent to the printer and out of my hands, will I be able to focus again on the novel? Of course I’ll have to balance that with marketing my new book (as a loner and introvert, that thought scares the hell out of me). Will I be able to balance the two? Will I actually have to do anything as a vice pres. of a writers’ workshop? Why am I spending so much time worrying about it? What happens will happen, and hopefully I’ll make the smart decisions (yeah, right – that’ll happen).

I guess what it all boils down to is multi-tasking and setting a new list of priorities. For all of you writers out there, I welcome your feedback and advice (especially coping with the marketing part).