I think it was a nice idea in the beginning, reality shows.
Please understand that this is huge for me! I sent out my SCBWI registration! I had it in my purse for all of September. I looked at it every day, sometimes looking at it several times a day It felt like a dream to me, to think that I was finally going to my first SCBWI conference. I don't want to get too excited, but the thought of being in the same room with published children writers makes me want to jump up and down for a few minutes (not sure I should do that since I'm now 17 weeks pregnant).
Then one day I woke up to a terrible nightmare. What if I miss the deadline to submit my registration?! I wouldn't be able to go out to dinner with my friends Damaris and Adal, or my friend/brother-in-law, Alex, and my new friend/sister-in-law-to-be, Liz! I wouldn't be able to agonize over what I am going to wear to the conference, how early I should arrive, what I should pack for my lunch. I won't need to go over the directions again and again, studying all metro maps to make sure I choose the best routes to be there, early. I won't be able to chose whether I will use my brown bag, my briefcase, or if it's time to buy a new tote bag for meetings such as this. I won't need to make hotel reservations at Bolling Air Force Base or study past newsletters with SCBWI to see what tips I can pick up to help me use the conference to the fullest. I won't need to clean out the car, pack it with snacks, make my family drive the 4 hours up to Northern Virginia while I chat their ears off about how excited I am. And why? Because I procrastinated so much that I missed the deadline.
Well, I wasn't going to, of course. No, it would be disastrous to miss out on something this big. Writing has been something that has been part of my life since I was very little and with all these years of preparation, it was time to stop wading on the edge of the water and plunge into its depths! I'm working on my website, I'm revising my stories, I'm cleaning up my illustrations, and I'm beginning to network outside my normal circles. Nooooo.....so today was the day I decided that it was imperative that I send it out.
Um, there was only one problem. I had a math class and a math quiz so I could only partially prepare the mailing. As a person who gets lost in steps, I had to think out what I had to do. It's just stuffing and sending, right? Ha ha! That's a common misconception!
Here's what I need to do in order to send out the registration.
1. Check that the information that I wrote down is correct. This is very possibly the most common mistake that I do. I'm talking to the kids, I'm simultaneously thinking about homework, or I'm distracted by the 3rd fly in the last hour that somehow managed to get into the house and is insisting upon landing on the chicken that I've just cooked for hubby. Mistakes happen all the time which is why I'm always proofing.
2. Write the check. Record the check on the back of the checkbook pad as I don't have the register. It's somewhere in my desk, but I don't want to waste anymore time so this is a terrible shortcut. This is where I also contemplate using that new Bank of America checking account that I had set up specifically for my writing expenses, but since they've been taking $5 a month out for inactivity, I'm seriously considering closing that account. I mull over this thought for a few minutes, feeling rather indecisive, then ultimately decide that this one check could come out of our second personal account and I'll figure out what to do about recording it in the future. I could use an accounting software program, assuming that I would stay with it. It's not worth starting something and then not use it.
3. Address the envelope. Is this the correct address? Didn't I see an email about the address being incorrect to the registration? Was it in regards to submitting manuscripts? Make note to self: in future, print out email and keep in folder that holds the registration form so you are sure you have it right.
4. Return address for me. Find those neat labels that you printed out 6 months ago and affix to envelope.
5. Search in vain for stamps. You know you have them, but where are you storing them? Later, after I had purchased more stamps at the post office, I remembered that I keep them in my briefcase so I would have them close at hand. Ah, the life of the distracted!
6. Write a little note to the person who is receiving the registration form. After all, this person is a volunteer with SCBWI, a real person who has his or her own life (in this case, it's a woman). How many envelopes has she received where she's gotten just a check and a registration form? She's not a robot; she deserves a little thanks for her time.
7. Rewrite the little note to Linda Budzinkski, the lady who is volunteering her time to help SCBWI. After all, she may be a volunteer, but who's to say that she really wants to know that you are going to add her blog to your blog? Scratch that personal touch. She doesn't know you; she won't understand that this childish act is really who you are. You do this all the time, but most grownups don't know if it's sincere because it's being too personal too soon...just like most children do.
8. Make a self-addressed stamped postcard. You know you have a lot of postcards. And even if the clock says you have to go to math class NOW, look in that drawer that holds all those cards and find something! If you don't do it now, who says you will go back to this process once you return home from your class. Especially with your kids being home from school today and that pending computer project due....Make sure and write a little funny note to yourself on the postcard. It's not like you receive mail from yourself just any old day.
9. Put postcard on outside of envelope. Don't put it inside or you will forget and seal it!!! Then you won't have a stamp on it! Go to the post office and ask Mr. Smyth what you need in postage before you put it in the envelope! Don't trust that you will remember not to seal the envelope before getting that stamp on the post card!!
10. Head to math class. Take quiz. Feel like you did a great job!
11. Head to post office. Smile at woman who is 9.5 months pregnant and talk about kids. Stand with hubby and smile at his good looks. Wait.
12. Purchase "Forever" stamps. Stick on envelope.
13. Stumble over word choice. Ask Mr. Smyth if he could do that thingy that he does with the stamp. Husband saves you. Asks if you want it to be canceled. Yes!
14. Say goodbye to registration and envelope. Watch Mr. Smyth move it away from your view. Wonder if you should have made a copy of the registration form before sending it out. Figure it would probably be good to do that...if you were more organized (or wanted to be a pack rat).
Fourteen steps. See, Dad, this is why I don't write you snail mail. I send email. It's just too many steps to worry about every time. I know you're old school, but be thankful I email!
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