David Fingerman

I love the quiet of writing.  I’m lucky, during the day I’m the only one here (except for the cat, and she’s quiet most of the time).  Sometimes I’ll drop  in a cd or occasionally even pull out the lps and listen to music.  But often, the only sound is the gentle tapping of the keyboard as I do what I love to do – write.  I despise crowds. I had a chance to see (then) Senator Obama when he came to Minneapolis.  I could feel the claustrophobia wrap itself around me just thinking about it.    Although it would have been great to actually be a part of history, I chose to stay home and watch it on TV instead.  History took a back seat to masses of people, traffic, and parking.  I left my civil service job coming on three years (holy crap! has it really been that long?) and I find getting out and mingling with strangers harder all the time.   Hell, I’m just two steps from lining my walls with tin foil, wearing a metal colander, and moving my computer to under my desk.  But I also want my book to sell.  No, there’s no important message that I feel needs to be told, just a lot of fun stories that I think people would enjoy reading, especially if they liked “The Twilight Zone.”  

I started with the comfortable stuff I could do online and on my own (after the help of good friends who built my website and taught me how to do things on the internet.  Oh hell, I wasn’t going to mention names, but thank you very much Helen Montgomery, and thank you very much Ruben Gonzalez) and in the comfort of my own home.  I’ve also met some wonderful people online (and a thank you very much to Chelle Cordero) who have helped show me the ropes and introduced me to some very informative sites.  I’ve still got a lot to learn, but a-learning I am doing.

Then came the hard part – getting off my butt, going out into the world, and doing things the old fashioned way.  I’m shy enough around strangers as it is, but now I actually have to be outgoing and sell myself to  them  (get your minds out of the gutter – not that way).  I know that my book is good enough.  Why can’t they just know it too?  Well, so far I gotta admit – it ain’t been terrible. I met some very nice people, got a couple of maybes from bookstores, and Common Good Books is now carrying “Edging Past Reality.”  Have you been to Common Good Books?  It’s a great independent book store hidden in a little nook on Western and Selby Ave. in St. Paul, MN.  It’s not large, but the shelves are stocked with books for every readers’ taste, and many of the books you won’t be able to find at a B&N or Borders.  I have yet to be able to walk out of there without buying at least one book.  (Okay, yes – I’m giving them a plug because they’re carrying my book, but even if they decided not to, I’d still think they are a great bookstore, I just wouldn’t be telling you about it.)  Yes – I am that shallow.

Now comes the next step, and that scares the hell out of me.  Doing readings and signings.  Close friends might roll their eyes at this, but it’s true – I do not like being the center of attention.  I like to blend in with the wall and observe.  So having all eyes upon me while I read one of my stories – well, just ewww.  As of now there is nothing set, but there are a couple of readings in the works.  Maybe if I wear a colander and wrap myself in tin foil it will be all right.

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