The thing that occupied my time

So, I mentioned my reasoning for my prolonged absence over the past couple of months—a huge project. I worked as creative director for THINK magazine. It was an amazing learning experience, and I can't thank my art director Annie Fuhrman enough. The magazine turned out beautiful despite many harried days wondering if we'd succeed.

The challenges of having not worked on a magazine in the design capacity were incredible, but it made the finished project all the sweeter. I feel more confident in marketing my creative skills from having completed this project.

Please visit www.thinkdsm.com to see the fabulous Web site created from scratch by the online staff. Within a matter of just weeks the Web whiz kids had the site up, running and chock full of content.

Heading West

In just a couple of short weeks, I will be going to Colorado for a somewhat undetermined amount of time to work. I will be writing, scouting houses and meeting with new clients. I want to take on about 3 or 4 new regular writing clients over the course of the summer. I've also applied for a full-time job or two, and I'm constantly looking.

The great thing about Colorado is I feel a strong connection to place there and a strong connection to myself. I'm looking forward to doing some great writing and planning the year ahead. Oh, and great biking and hiking.

Happy summer!

Lists, lists, lovely lists

In my "Who I am" section to the right, you'll see that I am a self-proclaimed list maker. It's time to talk about it.

I love lists. Mainly to-do lists because the power of marking something off the list makes me nearly drunk with satisfaction. Sometimes I write things on the list after I've done them just for the sake of marking it off. I've asked around and the consensus is: that is not cheating. It's good for my soul.

I like other lists, too. I have a list of things my youngest daughter, Hanna, has done in her life that are sort of outlandishly imaginative or sneaky or downright frightening like the time she bought a toy from a classmate at school for $25. No, I have no idea why she had $25 at school. She's a little sneak. I think I may start a blog one day about her. And I have just the list I need to do it.

I have a list of projects that need to be completed on my house so I can sell it and move to Colorado. I have a list of story pitches I would love to query if I had like 5 minutes to do it. I have a list of design projects I want to do for a portfolio should I ever pursue a design career. I have a list of business contacts to make in Colorado. I have a list of quick, low-calorie snacks to grab in a hurry.

The April 2005 edition of Real Simple had an article in it about 12 women who make lists. I tore it out to keep forever. And I was able to find it just now when I wanted to. I once saw another article that I did not tear out, but wish I would have. I can't remember what the piece was about, but the people had their walls painted with chalkboard paint and there were lists everywhere on their walls. I could beat myself up for not keeping that one. It's like porn for a list girl.

Because people are nagging me...

I know I need to blog, but I've been exceptionally busy the last few months with a big project. I will post more on that later. For now, I will share with you a list of things about me as a writer. Here goes:

I like the sound of my voice on paper better than coming out of my mouth.

I have a hard time imagining myself doing one thing for the rest of my life.

I went back to school less for myself and more to make my kids proud of me. And to show them how bad it sucks if you don’t go to college when you’re a normal age!

Sometimes I eat McDonalds because it’s so damn good, but I’m always really embarrassed by it and hope no one sees me there. (OK, this has nothing to do with me as a journalist, but it feels really good to confess.)

I check my email obsessively.

Sometimes I struggle with interviews because I am a crier, and if the story is remotely sad (or any of several other emotions) I tear up. It’s so embarrassing.

I can’t type.

I can’t spell.

I’ve had a magazine obsession for years, but I only subscribe to two publications. Read: I waste A LOT of money at the newsstand.

The best piece of advice I’ve gotten and the hardest to follow is: You have to confidently call yourself a writer.

I am a procrastinator.

My lead has to be polished before I can go on. It makes me crazy sometimes.

During the summer I like to sit on my front porch, drink slush and write.

I enjoy design more than writing, I think. But I don’t know how to design. I just know how to create them in my head. Then get frustrated because my computer won’t just make them for me.

Someday I want to write about giving birth to my oldest daughter who came really close to dying in the process.

I keep a list of catchy titles in the event that just the right stories will come along one day to go with them.

My favorite magazine at the moment is Real Simple. I love the clean design and the feel of the paper.

I’ve had a story in my head for four years that I need to write. It’s about cotton.