Christine Seifert's Blog: Lady Professor Reads, page 14

Spring Semester 2011--> Done

The Good: Final exams and papers are all graded!
The Bad: I feel brain dead.
The Good: Spring term is officially over.
The Bad: Summer term started yesterday.
The Good: I have some time to recover before my summer class begins.
The Bad: I have neglected my own writing this semester.
The Good: I am going undercover to write until somone comes looking for me.

See y'all then!

In Which I’m an Idiot

I just learned that a flash mob is not a mob of naked people. I’m not sure where I came up with that definition, but that’s what I thought. Imagine my surprise when I found out the students at the college where I teach participated in a flash mob. I was concerned because it was cold that day! When nobody disrobed, I figured that either a) they did it wrong, or b) my definition was way off. Turns out that “b” is the correct answer. Please enjoy this video of fully clothed people dancing to Lady...

In Which I'm an Idiot

I just learned that a flash mob is not a mob of naked people. I'm not sure where I came up with that definition, but that's what I thought. Imagine my surprise when I found out the students at the college where I teach participated in a flash mob. I was concerned because it was cold that day! When nobody disrobed, I figured that either a) they did it wrong, or b) my definition was way off. Turns out that "b" is the correct answer. Please enjoy this video of fully clothed people dancing...

Where Do Writing Ideas Come From?

So a lot of people ask writers where the ideas come from. I can't speak for all writers, but for me, the ideas—the good ones, the ones I want to pursue—come from questions I can't answer. Everything springs forth from there. My first novel, The Predicteds, is due out in September, and I've been reading some bloggers and Goodreads folks who are wondering what it's about. I'll post more about that later. For right now, there's just a tag line: What if your boyfriend was destined to commit...

I Give This Topic Two Stars (Or Maybe Twenty-Seven)

I'm a big Goodreads user; I would not even consider reading a book before I put it on my virtual currently-reading shelf. I set reading goals and meticulously keep track of what I've read and what I liked (or disliked) about my books. And keeping track of everything is really easy with Goodreads. (In the olden days, I had to chisel my notes on a slate tablet). The problem with Goodreads, though, is that it wants me to publicly rate my books. That stresses me out.  When I rate a book, I do it...

Crisis Mode

I'm really bad in emergencies. I'm the person who starts running around in circles and asking irrelevant questions about family history of heat rash while someone bleeds to death in front of me. Case in point: I once came upon a woman having a seizure in the parking lot of my favorite burrito joint. Instead of calling 911 immediately, I ran inside the burrito store and told my husband--and fifteen burrito patrons--that I was intending to call 911. (I did make the call and the paramedics arriv...

Fudge: The Midlife Crisis Years

I first read a library copy of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume when I was in second or third grade. I adored it. I managed to get a hold of my very own copy of Superfudge shortly after that. I read it until the cover fell off and I had to tape it back together. (My copy of Blubber is equally mangled; when I was about ten, I found a garage sale paperback that was already pretty tattered. Right before the cover disintegrated, I traced it in the hope of being able to draw my own...

The Earthquake Whistle

A few years ago, during a faculty meeting, we were all presented with whistles (nice ones, with lanyards!). The idea behind the gift was this: if the big earthquake strikes—Salt Lake City is on a major fault line—my fourth-floor office is likely to have a garden-level view. The whistle will presumably help the search and rescue team find me. I know! This is not the story you want to hear when presented with a gift. "Look! I've purchased for you a rubber suit! It should protect you against...

Jersey Shore Is the Perfect Shade of Orange

I admit it: I watch the Jersey Shore and I love it. Even when I hate it.  I'm an MTV fan girl. Watching coming-of-age stories that involve a bunch of clowns GTLing really appeals to me. As a general rule I'm actually a picky TV watcher. I've never seen Survivor or The Amazing Race. Can't be bothered with The Bachelor or any of the other dating shows.  Or any of the housewives. I'm not interested in the models, chefs, or fashion designers angling for jobs. Don't even get me started about the...

I Need a Typewriter

Two weeks ago, my first novel sold. I've had other projects since I first wrote that sucker, including some magazine pieces and two additional novels, one of which I'm trying to finish. I'm on sabbatical from my "real" job (as a professor of communication/writing), so theoretically I have tons of time. Only I find that the days just slip away from me. What occupies my time? Well, there's talking to my mom on the phone, checking my work email, exercising, cleaning every now and then, cooking d...