April 19, 2005
Not to sound like the weather bunny, but it's a beautiful day in the low 80s, which is frighteningly good weather for Michigan in April. It won't last, of course. They're expecting it to drop down into the 50s over the next 4 or 5 days, but it only helps to taste the sun for a bit.

Which is not at all what I want to talk about. I'm a busy little birdbrain today. I'm trying to track down somebody to talk about the HPV/cervical cancer vaccine, so I'm calling all over the country and nagging. Plus, I needed to run off a copy of Serpent's Kiss and sent it to the editor at Midnight Ink, and while I was at it I copied the first 100 pps of a manuscript I wanted Irene to take a look at. So errand running after a morning interview about continence therapy. (Creative whiplash, if you know what I mean).

I got an article assignment with a new client today and it looks promising for regular work. Short, online medical pieces. The pay's not great, but their needs are huge, so the possibility of an article every week or two or so more than makes up for that, in my business plan, anyway.

Somebody else also contacted me for possible medical copywriting, so I hope that pans out.

At the moment, I've got all the interviews I need to write 3 articles, but I just have to find the time to actually sit down and do the writing! How bizarre. I think Wednesday's going to be a big writing day, which is cool. Churn it out.

I see from my To-Do List (15+ entries!) that I have a couple minor follow-ups to make, like to the IPO for the Michigan state gov't. Figures. Politicians work on their own schedules, don't they? I've also got some more busy work, mailing out copies of the journal I edit to contributors, along with the thank you note. It's a chore, an important one, but I often wish I had an assistant to pass this particular task off to.

Ah well. Playing around with a fun novel to see if it takes hold, and digging deep on the research on the next thriller. Going to have to start making phone calls for that soon. Hi! Let's talk about terrorists. Want my social security number first to make the background check easier? Fingerprints and DNA, too? Sure, no problem. All in the name of art and commerce. And those body cavity searches... oy vey!

Best,
Mark Terry