dawnkj63

Today's my birthday! Here's me at 46:

I just ate a slice of German Chocolate Cake with skim milk for breakfast. YUM! I scraped off a half inch of unnecessary chocolate icing to avoid crashing and headaches later.

My book seems to be doing well (especially among the fucking piracy crowd. They don't steal, they're "sharing." FUCK THAT!)

Birthday, birthday, happy, breathe...FUCKERS!

Anyway my first novel, BROKEN, is getting some nice reviews: http://jenre-wellread.blogspot.com/2009/11/review-broken-by-dawn-kimberly-johnson_30.html

Still alive.

So is my family.

My holiday short story just came out from Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=55_110&products_id=1590&osCsid=12mkhamm9opc4k7dlpee56tr10

I have a WIP with a beta.

Paying bills.

In the early stages of a new novel.

Still doing the occasional freelance edit to bring in some extra cash.

Enjoying my time spent with fellow Dan Radcliffe fans at Global Radcliffe Addicts.com.
I'm loving Twitter and the friends I've made there.

I'm warm, fed, clothed, and housed.

On the downside, I could drop dead any moment from the extra weight I'm carrying. This depresses and frightens me. At my most recent doctor's visit, they were pushing for gastric bypass and told me they'd refer me and I'd be getting a call. But I left there with the distinct feeling that they forgot or have decided I'm beyond help. I haven't got the call yet. I was in a relationship for about a month once, but she was too young and I was in love with someone else. I've spent an alarming amount of energy and time chasing after people who weren't interested and then moped when they told me they weren't interested. Crazy much? Until I came to the decision that's it's perfectly fine to be alone, not dating...too many complications. Of course, being morbidly obese helps keep any potentials away, always has. Handy, that.

There, now that all that bad stuff is in one neat, compact paragraph, I can look ahead from here and do better...right?

Here's to 47! Wish me luck.

As a newbie, I'm trying to navigate the book promotion maze.

When I first heard Dreamspinner Press wanted to publish my novel, I told my mom, emailed nearly everyone in my contact list, posted on Facebook, and told my fellow Dan Radcliffe fans at Global Radcliffe Addicts.

When the novel came out, I touched base with the same group but expanded my announcements to include my fellow SotT fans at LJ's Team Templar, and Twitter.

I've been blogging at The Writers Digest Community. I recently posted the news at the Absolute Write Water Cooler, and let my fellow writers at Litopia know. I also kept people informed about any positive reviews I've received.

In addition, I joined with other Dreamspinner authors in a Google group to learn from others who have traveled this way before; to share thoughts; and to accept and provide support when needed.

Now what?

Do I do interviews? Who would want to talk to me? Do I do guest blogs? What do I say? Where do I go from here?

I'll tell you.

I now have pages at GLBT Bookshelf:

http://bookworld.editme.com/DawnKimberlyJohnson

I've had some good things happening in my life lately.

I lost 6 lbs. (gained back 5)., I purchased my first TV (all the others in my life have been hand-me-downs or gifts--one of which was given to me by a friend who committed suicide shortly thereafter), my first novel was published (and immediately uploaded for free, illegal downloads), and today I got a very nice review of said novel.
No downside to that last one. Hurray!
I'm finding every aspect of this novel business exciting and new (just like the Love Boat). Authors who have had many books published have told me that my enthusiasm is heartwarming, but to keep it up because it allows them to relive it for themselves. Currently, I can't imagine becoming accustomed to this. It can't possibly slide into being old-hat, right?
My book is out there now. People are buying it, reading it, stealing it, sharing it, commenting on it. There are more positives there than not, I think and I intend to embrace them all.
I wish it wasn't work to ignore the negative thoughts that ride the tail of the happy ones dashing through my mind. But my life experience has ingrained that voice in my head. She's there, ready to pounce onto any downside of a joyous event she can spot. THE BITCH! Unfortunately, it's my job to wrestle her to the floor and shut her up. (Hey, this is sounding sorta titillating all of a sudden).
I had a nightmare recently where I fought a zombie chick. She was beautiful and not gross and gooey. She was wearing a sexy red dress and had blonde hair. Instead of fleeing into the night to escape her, only to have her pop up and get me when I least expected it, I grabbed the bitch by the throat even as she tried to bite me.
I got a good grip on the back of her head too and proceeded to slam her head against a wall repeatedly. (Everyone knows you need to destroy the brain to put down a zombie...I've seen enough of those movies to know that). After that didn't work, I twisted her head all the way around, threw her to the ground, put my knee in her back and twisted it a second time. The bitch kept kicking.
Then I woke up.
The point of sharing this gruesomely vivid nightmare with you is to say, I wasn't disgusted or horrified. I felt AWESOME. Like some kind of super hero. I was a woman who knew what needed to be done and was doing it.
I loved waking up feeling powerful, strong, and determined.
I wish I could always feel like that.
I marvel at knowing that there are people out there who do feel that way, everyday.

To end on a positive note, here's a nice review I received: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/864396.html

My first novel, BROKEN, is now for sale at Dreamspinner Press.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_110

I am beyond excited and hope you will give it a read when you can.

I can’t stop smiling!

Just heard that my first novel, BROKEN, is up at Dreamspinner Press under Coming Soon!

I’m at the bottom, number 8!

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/upcoming_products.php

I am beyond excited and hope you will give it a read when you can.

I can’t stop smiling!

After 14 days of watching what I eat, logging it, and making better choices, I have lost 6 pounds. So this stuff really works...what the doctors say. Only 368 pounds to go. Hahaha! I know it looks like I'm laughing, but those are actually tears...and not of joy.
No really. I shall forge ahead. I'm adding a little weight training for this next two-week period.
Cheers!

I had trouble falling asleep last night. Couldn’t get this Polanski mess off  my mind.

You know how when you’re a fan of someone, you gradually, subconsciously come to believe that they see many things in the world as you do? You must have something in common, right? I think this happens because it makes it much easier to imagine that the two of you could have a nice conversation over coffee if you were ever to meet someday.

So when the person you admire does something as asinine as sign a petition calling for the release of an admitted child rapist because of his contribution to the film industry and the art community itself, it’s as if the object of your admiration has just kicked a kitten across the street while you looked on.

It’s tough to overlook. It’s tough to hear and understand their reasons. It’s impossible to see them the way you used to. And if you ever did manage a conversation over coffee someday, you’d tear them a new one for it.

Woody Allen: Not too surprised by this signature. Great director, but I gave up on him as a good guy a long time ago. Right around the time he married his adopted daughter. O.o
Alfonso Cuaron: director of my favorite Harry Potter film to date. O.o
Jonathan Demme
Terry Gilliam
Buck Henry
David Heyman: the producer of the Harry Potter films. O.o
John Landis
David Lynch
Martin Scorcese
Tilda Swinton

I have NO IDEA what to say about Whoopi. O.o

I don’t care that it’s been 32 years. Polanski did it; he said he did it. Polanski pled guilty.

As Rachel Wells of CNN.com reported today: Polanski's victim, Samantha Geimer, told CNN's Larry King in 2003 that she wished the story and the case had ended soon after it began three decades ago.

"The publicity was so traumatic and so horrible his punishment was secondary to just getting this whole thing to stop," Geimer said. "It was crazy. I never wanted him to go to jail."

Yes, the victim would like all this dropped, but as a friend pointed out to me recently: “… as a society we shouldn't allow men to act without impunity (thank you @ibster).

What kept me awake was the film industry’s support of Polanski, their painting him with the victim brush. Polanski is many things: an artist, a genius, an amazing, award-winning director, and a child rapist. All things before that; do not erase it.

In the same article by Wells, Matthew Belloni of the Hollywood Reporters legal blog points to Michael Vick and Mel Gibson as examples of how forgiving Hollywood can be. The difference is Mike and Mel faced their punishment; Polanski has not. We’re not talking about youthful indiscretion here. He was 45 FREAKIN years old when he raped Geimer. Yes, he pleaded guilty and can’t be tried again. Yes, the plea agreement was about to be illegally violated and he ran, probably out of fear. It’s possible that because the judge was about to violate the agreement, Polanski may not serve any more time. But he should face a judge, say he’s sorry … SOMETHING!

What kept me from sleeping soundly was the response of the film industry, expressing their outrage and shock at the actions of the Swiss authorities and demanding Polanski’s release. I’m disappointed in them. We should ignore the protestations and the begging for release, just as he ignored hers.

It's been so long since I've posted.

I've been working on my second manuscript and freelance editing. There's also my fansite, sleeping, eating, My Food Diary weight loss efforts, and WAY too much time spent on Twitter.

My first novel, BROKEN, will be published by Dreamspinner Press in December.

Check out this article on the GLBT Bookshelf:
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200906/1245919505.html

Running. Playing in the summer until the sun begins to set and my mother is yelling for me to come in.

gaycrow: "I guess you've checked out all the on-line warning guides?"

I missed this when I first read your post. Yes, I researched them before submitting. One nice report I found was here http://www.teddypig.com/2009/05/teddypig-top-epublishers-dreamspinner-press/
I also looked at their product on Amazon to see what their promotion was like. They really seem to treat their writers well. So I feel good about it.

Having passionate animal sex with Dan Radcliffe in Australia. lol Maybe a few movies and some food here and there.

I heard today that my first book ever is going to be published! I have the contract right here and am reading it in spurts trying to take it all in. This is a moment in my life that I want to remember and savor and celebrate and share. I'm keeping the doubts and fears at bay quite well for a change.
I hope you are all doing well.

I've been working really hard the past couple of weeks trying to go through the whole thing and get it beta ready.

I cut back on my fansite and twitter time just to do my best. Did you know that you can't write your best when you are twittering, moderating a fansite, AND watching television? lol

I finished it about an hour ago. I'm very excited and have already asked another author to be my beta. I hope she says yes.

squeeeeeee!

The Obama administration defense of DOMA has my head spinning. I looked to him as an intelligent, but more importantly, a fair-minded man and I find this action indefensible. Still in the back of my mind I'm thinking he must be smarter than me and will surprise us with some covert, Bond-like maneuver that will bring us the equality we deserve. I may be delusional, but that makes more sense to me than him simply being a liar like all before him.

They upheld Prop 8 in CA. I'm disappointed and saddened and tired. It really bothers me that a state constitution was amended to deny rights to a group. That's perverse. You may believe that same-sex marriage is wrong according to your faith, but that doesn't give you the right to make it against the law. I'm tired of one group rewriting history and saying this country is founded on Christian faith. If the separation of church and state was truly enforced as the Constitution calls for, I don't believe this ever would have happened.

A publisher has requested a look at my full manuscript. I hope it leads to publication.

I just labeled LJ notifications to my email as spam! I love hearing from people I hang here with, but I HATE the repeated useless announcements from LJ asking for my inpute on design of the site or some such...not interested!

Pitfall...that's my fave. Love the danger and drama. :)

That entire Amazon debacle. I signed the petition objecting to their policy, but I'm still finding it difficult to believe Amazon of all companies would make such a bone head move. If it's a glitch, once it's fixed what will we be left with?