2010: In Summary, Part One

I started 2010 believing that it would be MY year. I would dominate it like I dominate Wii Frisbee Golf. I decided that things were on their way to getting better and things couldn't possibly get any worse than brain surgery a few years ago. 2010 would be my bitch.

I forgot one thing: I'm a magnet to challenge and there were more trials ahead.

Silly Eric!

The year started off fine. Rather good, actually. I finish Simple Men in January and sent it to Dreamspinner. I really didn't expect much from it. It's what I refer to as a "trifle." Something fun, but not too deep. It was just what I needed to write, though, since I had been dwelling on darker subject matter for so long.

February was all about the Olympics. I was glued to the television and was simultaneously moved and embarrassed at being so manipulated by sappy music over slo-mo replays of sporting events. During the second week of the Games I became really sick. Dizzyingly sick. Couldn't walk sick. But still, it was one of my favorite memories of the whole year. Me in bed, watching the Olympics, eating soup and drinking juice. The only problem my extreme illness caused had to do with my passport. I was supposed to get it renewed in February, but I kept procrastinating until I was too ill to do anything about.

In March, Simple Men was released and immediately became my best seller. It seems readers just wanted something sweet from me. I found the reception, the wonderful letters and emails, absurdly charming and utterly heartwarming.

April saw me sign with YOM for a reprint of my first book The Rest Is Illusion. It was published with a lovely new cover in May.

Also, during this time, I was on the hunt for a spray tan. I wanted to look pretty and golden for the coming summer. After I was told, however, that someone was supposed to stand there and spray me in my underwear (I was under the impression it was a booth), I decided against it. Whoever loves me must love my pale white ass as well...at least, until I get a personal spray tannng thingy. And by "thingy", I mean "hot pool boy."

Throughout the year I was able to help a few other writers in their quests to get their work out there. I think that's important. Artists and writers know struggle, and when you are in a position to help another artist or writer out...well, it's good karma. Plus, why wouldn't you want to help someone else? Give the world a drop of your good.

And then there's LOST. My favorite TV series ever in the history of the world ended on what I thought was a very high note. One that was true the enigmatic nature of the series, the center of the show being the characters, not the island.

June was a lull. Not much happened and I think that's a good place to end this entry. It was July that things started to spill out everywhere and my world began to crumble, bit by bit. God save us all.