September 14, 2007

I didn't realize until just now that I haven't posted since Monday. Where does the time go?

Being a western writer has always been fun for me, but trying to get attention to your books has always been difficult. All the big main stream publishers said the western was dying, and it was somewhat true. However, I keep plugging along because it's what I love.

I wonder what they are saying now, that the western movie is back. With movies like 3:10 to Yuma, the western genre actually has a chance. How timely that my Lost Worlds, Deadwood show is airing next week!

I just wish I could get more press about it and my books. I have one of my publishers working on it, but nothing so far. I am going to contact my local newspaper today (I have never gotten any press from them in 10 years) now that 3:10 to Yuma is so hot. Not to mention the Jesse James movie with Brad Pitt. Ah, what a time to be a western writer!

I am working on a cool project for my regular job. A new company wants us to come with a brand name and tag line for them. I can't go into more right now, but maybe later. I'm learning all kinds of new stuff with this job!

Going for a walk.

Blog commitment and more Deadwood

I must confess that this weekend I did nothing "author" related. Saturday we met friends (Bev & Dave) for lunch at Memphis Red, Hot & Blue, then wine tasting, then food shopping. I grilled Porterhouse steaks, sweet potatoes & corn for dinner. Sunday I did the girl thing and went shopping by myself for clothes, beach stuff, and birthday gifts. I got some great deals! Today I have to crack down and get the visuals done for my Taste of Tombstone book, and do my regular job.

Deadwood saga...the blogs I should have made when I was in Deadwood in June.

Let's see, the first full day in Deadwood began with a rain downpour that didn't want to end. Oli and Tom changed the filming schedule and we moved to the archives building in downtown Deadwood. By the time we got done and broke for lunch, it had started to clear, but turned cold. We had some additional problems with our next guest because of the cold weather, so poor Tom ran around Deadwood trying to find an alternative. Arlette, from the archives, graciously agreed. We headed up muddy roads to a remote location to film the "deadwood" lying about. By the time we got done, one of my fingers had turned completely white and had no feeling. With lots of literal hand hold handing, it recovered. I can drive again! I honestly don't remember all that we filmed there because I was so cold. The day wasn't over yet...

We dropped Arlette back in town, then headed out for an 1880s miner's cabin, which you'll see in the show (see the picture here with me and Oli, freezing). It was close to 7:00 p.m. and the temp dropped to 33 degrees. We left that location around 8:00 p.m., blasted the heater in the car and went to the cabin, then back out for dinner.

More on dining in Deadwood tomorrow (at Tom's suggestion)...

Back to work, True West magazine and more Deadwood

Well, it seems I haven't gotten any better at posting regularly here, so I guess sometimes is better than not at all. Please bear with me.

This photo was taken right after we wrapped up my closing comments about Deadwood. Filming was over, and we were ready to celebrate. In the photo, L to R., Peter, Tom, Me, Oli (in back), Rick, and Chris.

The August issue of True West magazine (on sale now) has featured me in their "Author Profile" section. If you can get a copy, check it out. I am also in there with my favorite reads.

I am finally back to a routine of working and writing. I just sent the manuscript to the Univ. New Mexico Press (Taste of Tombstone), which is a huge relief. I am a week past my deadline - I hate that. I still have to send them the visuals to use in the book, and will finish that this weekend. I am waiting to hear from the Univ. North TX Press about the pioneer women book - should be this month.

I said I would talk more about the Deadwood filming, so here goes. The more I think back on that (hard to believe it's been a month since I did it), the more I realize just how much I enjoyed doing it. I mean, I love history and I got to share that love with so many! It's every authors dream, well even if it's not; it's this author's dream.

On location: As I said, Oli, Tom, and Peter were awesome. A girl couldn't have asked for a better "crew." Here's what our schedule was like each day - Get up at 6:00 a.m., leave for the first location at 7:30 a.m., start filming around 8:00 a.m., break for lunch anywhere between noon and 2:00 p.m. for about 40 minutes. We changed locations often and didn't quit until between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. each night. We packed up, unloaded the equipment (ok, the guys wouldn't let me help), and then headed back to town for dinner. Had ice cream at the cabin, then to bed around midnight. Yeah, I know, ice cream before bed is baadd. It's all Oli's fault with his addiction to Ben and Jerry's! We girls all know where it ends up, right Oli?!

The first two days I did pretty darn good. However, the third day at Ft. Meade, I fell apart. I don't know what happened, other than I was standing on sacred Indian ground with a guest who had a very soothing, soft voice, and I felt very calm and relaxed. I think Oli wanted to strangle me (not literally, well maybe) because I had no "zip" and was very different from the previous days. We finally get it filmed, but it was painful for all. After lunch, I was fine. The following day went well, too.


Later I will post more about one day of the filming. Just to tease you, it was June 7 in Deadwood, SD and it was 33 degrees...

Trying to keep up

I've been busy playing catch up with personal things, my writing, and everything else in between. I have books to mail, bills to pay, a beach house to secure for vacation at the end of July, TV clips to send to a producer, a manuscript to send to my publisher, and way more than that.

I got behind-the-scenes photos from the Deadwood shoot. Copy & paste this link into your address bar - I can't get the link to work here - http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZt2TZu4bNmLjQ

The producers emailed me and said the rushes looked really good and they were pleased with me. I really enjoyed doing that so much.

Our niece Jamie comes here on Friday and we are taking her to the NC mountains for vacation. I will still be working, but that's the beauty of my new job - I can do it from anywhere. She and Larry (my husband) may just have to do some things together while I do my thing.

The DirecTV guy is coming this afternoon to fix the bad installation I got a few months ago. Get this, I have to pay for their screw-up because I didn't call and complain when they installed it! They won't leave today until I know it's working.

Well, back to work

On the Road

Wow! I have one-third of my month long travel days behind me. Larry and I got back from Tombstone on May 31. We were supposed to be back on the 30th, but we got stuck in Houston overnight. Tombstone was fun as usual - we camped on our property, had dinner with friends in town and on the land. I did three book signings, gave one presentation, and did some research for the re-release of Taste of Tombstone (Spring 2008-Univ. New Mexico Press).

The former Tombstone Mayor, Andre DeJournett, opened the Tombstone Consolidated Mine tour about two months ago. It was awesome - anyone going to Tombstone must take it! It was like going back in time. We took lots of photos and one of them shows an orb with a face in it!!!

Tomorrow I leave for Deadwood, SD to film an episode of the Lost Worlds series for the History Channel. It should be lots of fun. More TV might be in my future, which we would be WAY cool. That's all I can say for now - I don't want to jinx myself.

I get back from Deadwood, stay home for two days, then head to Springfield, MO for the Western Writers of America conference. I am giving a presentation on how to research old records, and meeting with two of my publishers, and catching up with old friends.

After that, I am home for a month!

My new job at Interamark is still awesome. Great job, great boss, great people! It truly is a dream job - I get to write, while working from home, and get paid to do it.

Well, I have to get back to that awesome job since I am leaving tomorrow.

More later...

Sherry