I had a professor my freshman year of college who inquired if our class would prefer to hand in their short writing pieces or to read them aloud. I said I didn't think writing was a performance art. And he nodded as though this were sage wisdom, and we all passed our papers to the front for him to read privately.

I'll remember that every time I do a reading - should I be so lucky to one day be sent on a book tour. I'll remember it right after I swallow half a bottle of Malox, a shot of tequila and pray to every god I can think of that somebody, anybody, might show up - and that they not be armed with rotting fruit.

Don't you just hate when stuff comes back to bite you in the butt?

That's why I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard that mystery novelist Laurie R. King (if you haven't read "The Beekeeper's Apprentice," you should) would be writing a short story in public in real time as her words are broadcast on a screen as well as online for the public to follow. In REAL TIME. No second draft, no editor, no lying on the floor of your office with a bag of cheese doodles listening to classic rock while you wait for an idea that doesn't suck to find its way into your brain.

I think that's unbelievably brave. Possibly crazy. Myself - I'd rather drink bleach.

But I wish her luck.

This writer's improv, as she's calling it, will take place on May 20th in honor of her being named Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year 2006.

Now where did I put my cheese doodles...