I watched one of the best female bowlers (actually, bowlers across both genders) in the United States bowl a perfect 300 game last night…on the first night of league.

They’re crazy for bowling here in MI.

Internship Post #1

I was fortunate enough to be a part of a brainstorming session at the pub. house I interned at. By the time the session arrived, quite a few people knew who I was, but many may have seen me, knew I was an intern, but really knew nothing about me. That was fine. I’m pretty outgoing.

I was to be the notetaker. A menial job but one I didn’t mind because I was able to be a part of it all, to listen to these incredibly talented minds come up with new book ideas, ones nearly on the spot while others were researched and detailed down to the specs of the book’s size.

I had received an e-mail from the EIC, along with the rest of the editorial department, telling me to prepare two ideas for the session. I knew she didn’t mean me personally; I was only an intern (though very often I wasn’t treated that way at the pub. house). I assumed I wasn’t even going to be acknowledged during the session–I had heard enough stories about interns–little fish in big, talented, smart ponds.

But I was asked for input. One of the editors running the group asked sincerely; the other, I think, asked out of obligation, perhaps. I don’t think she was expecting much from me. When I passed both times, I kicked myself. I could have made a difference. Or could I have?

During the sessions I learned about the requirements of a new series–and the intense research that goes into each one, making sure it’s good enough to fly, even pass the VP. I hadn’t known this ahead of time, and even though I did have a few ideas, they weren’t nearly prepared enough to be put out there, to let them roam free and be used or abused.

I still kick myself for not preparing for the meeting. But, at the same time, would I have made an ass of myself going on and on about ideas that weren’t well-researched or investigated, with no backing in curricula and state standards and marketing, even if they were great ideas? Ideas for new books need a firm foundation in the basics: whose going to read it, whose going to need it, whose going to buy it, and how do we market it to all of the above?

But I found I love this process, this idea to book to into the hands of a needing reader. This is where I’m finding my niche, my passion, my love. Where to go from here? We shall see.

And I do have one great idea, one that was later endorsed by the editor I worked the closest with, one that may very well become my master’s thesis (depending upon how I shape it, of course…ugh). But it is one that will be developed and researched and planned to the smallest detail but will obviously still be flexible enough to have changes made without breaking the main idea. It will be pitched to a publisher–hopefully to my beloved pub. house from this summer. But all is fair in love and book publishing.

Things are slowly finding their pace again around here. It’s crazy to think that I’ve only been here for almost three weeks, and just now we’re finding the rhythm again. But it’s tough to find a pattern only to have it thrown to the wind once school starts. Pattern-making all over again.

I must admit that I’m excited to be done with school. I’ve been in college for six or so years, two for my A.A. degree, two for my B.F.A., and it will be two and a half for my M.A. I think I’m ready to find my C.A.R.E.E.R. now. Wherever that may be.

Magic Bowling Shoes

These are my brand-new bowling shoes the hubby and I purchased for me at the pro shop in the bowling alley we frequent:

Yes, those are white and pink flames. They rock.

And why are they magical, you ask? After putting them on for the first time, I bowled a 144 and then a 145. For a chick who used to barely break 60 back in the day, that’s pretty good. I did bowl over 100 (between 102 and 112) last week, but this is considered a serious improvement. Or a fluke. I’ll keep you updated.

Up next on the purchasing horizon: A bowling ball and bag. Both need to be sparkly and shiny and pretty. I know. I’m such a girl.

So I’m back in MI. Nothing too exciting to report. Just stunned by the I35W collapse–happened only a couple of days after the hubby and I left MN, and I took that road every day I was at my internship, which was three days a week. Frightening, tragic, and sad. No one I know was injured or worse in the collapse, and my heart goes out to all the families affected.

Nothing really poetic or interesting to write. I just hope all is well with everyone. I should be posting more now that I’m back. There’s so much to talk about from this summer, but I’m not sure where to start. I’ll get there.