Rita Arens's Blog, page 34
April 1, 2013
Come to My Reading?
This Friday night at 7 pm, I'm going to be reading from THE OBVIOUS GAME with my former professor and mentor, Michael Pritchett, author of THE MELANCHOLY FATE OF CAPT. LEWIS. (Yes, it's THAT Capt. Lewis. The one who hung out with Clark.) I'm not sure if Michael will be reading from TMFoCL or his novel-in-progress, but I have heard him read from both, and his stage delivery is awesome. You'll be quite convinced he hates writing with the power of a thousand suns, but you know, in a good way. I...
March 28, 2013
How to Survive a Roadie
Thanks so much, everyone, for all your kind words about Buttonsworth. I'm still in a period of mourning and distracting myself with work, so today I'm going to put up a how-to post on surviving road trips. Not that I have any experience or anything.
My husband, daughter and I live in Kansas City. Both sets of our parents live in Iowa. Which means: road trips. Lots of them. Like almost every month, and the drive is from three to five hours each way.
You'd think in the era of portable DVD pla...
March 26, 2013
In Memory of Sir Charles Buttonsworth (??? - 2013)
When we were dealing with Petunia's diabetes diagnosis, my best friend told me about Ira Glass and his dog, Piney. I guess Ira's dog bites people and has crazy allergies -- he has to eat a different protein/starch combo every eight months until he gets allergic to it. Steph said she heard Ira interviewed on NPR, and he was talking about how taking care of Piney had kind of become his life.
Yesterday afternoon, I called the vet to check on Buttonsworth, who had been there all day getting enema...
March 25, 2013
Emotional Exhaustion By the Numbers
Inches of snow that fell in my yard this weekend: 9
Inches of poop that came out of Buttonsworth after one enema at the emergency vet on Saturday: 6
Inches of poop remaining in Buttonsworth now: 6
Number of enemas the emergency vet wanted to give him: 5
Amount the emergency vet would charge for this service: $918
Amount I paid to get him one enema and subcutaneous fluids: $166
Number of times Buttonsworth would have died this weekend if he hadn't had an enema: 1
Number of enemas Buttonsworth...
March 19, 2013
Behind the Scenes: StoryMill & THE BIRTHRIGHT OF PARKER CLEAVES
While I was looking for a publisher for THE OBVIOUS GAME, I started my next novel. It's tentatively called THE BIRTHRIGHT OF PARKER CLEAVES. I had to start something, because the waiting was killing me. In the past few weeks, I've returned to it with a vengeance to keep myself from becoming obsessed with how THE OBVIOUS GAME is selling, because at this point I've done pretty much everything in my power to sell it with pretty much zero marketing budget and a very indie distribution model. The...
March 15, 2013
If You Live in Kansas City, You Should Read This
I'm on deadline today, so all I have to share is a giveaway for free tickets to the 2013 Kansas City Home Show and Flower, Lawn & Garden Show on Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews.
Took Buttonsworth to the vet today and we upped his insulin again. More later.
March 13, 2013
I'm Part of the Kansas City Listen to Your Mother Show!
Last week, I auditioned for the Kansas City Listen to Your Mother Show. I was so excited when Erin Margolin and Laura Seymour brought the fabulous Ann Imig's vision to Kansas City this year for the very first time. I was nervous about auditioning because although I've done a few readings for things and have spoken at conferences plenty of times, this show is so special and I really kind of wanted to get in really bad. When I want something really bad, I tend to biff the first four or five tri...
March 12, 2013
Squids Only Have One Hole
The little angel ate too fast last night at dinner, and something went down the wrong tube. She kept hacking long after she should've been able to stop, to the point where it got humorous.
Me: "Well, it's stupid that humans eat and breath out of the same orifice, really. So much margin for error."
Her: "YACKACCCOUUUUGHG"
Me: "I mean, I think dolphins have two holes."
Her: "CGOAOGFAHSEASEAAASHLRG"
Him: "It could be worse. You could eat and poop out the same hole."
Her: (recovering) "Squids on...
March 11, 2013
Win a Copy of THE OBVIOUS GAME
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Obvious Game
by Rita Arens
Giveaway ends April 30, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
March 8, 2013
Kittyblog
Yesterday I documented our decision to treat Sir Charles Buttonsworth's diabetes on BlogHer.
There were requests for video of Kizzy's insanity. Happy Friday!
