Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The (Happy?) Wanderer

A bit of news: Oklahoma is now a reality. We’re heading in that direction this week. If I’m lucky I’ll be  sitting in my first OK-RWA meeting on Saturday. Yep, I paid my dues so I’m now officially an Oklahoma Outlaw. They meet at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.  This meeting, Mel Odom and Michael Kent are speaking on Self Publishing for Authors. I have a friend who lives in the Norman area and has studied under Mel Odom. She’s been singing his praises for years so I’ve always wanted to meet him. I’m not familiar with Michael Kent but here’s a link about epublishing and academia that some of you might find interesting.

We’ll be holed up in a hotel until we find a place to live. We’re going with nothing more than knapsacks on our backs. Don’t re-read that sentence; you read it right the first time. We’re taking nothing but cooking utensils, clothes, a TV, laptops and books. Everything else we’ll purchase there so get those garage sales ready. Don’t wrinkle that nose, we will buy a new bed and bring it home with us when we come, but for the rest of it--we aren’t buying anything we can’t walk away from when our year is over.
So while our very trustworthy, diligent housesitters are watching over our home, (and putting up with me when I decide I just have to come home to check on/fondle my missed possessions) we’ll be roughing it in the wiles of Oklahoma.  You’ll hear from me again when I get there. Keep your fingers crossed, wish us luck, or pray--whichever works best for you.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

You know I wish you all the best of luck, a safe journey, and happy writing/living/writing when you get there. I'm proud of you guys for working on trust and going with the bare necessities. Love ya.

James R Tate said...

I spent quite a few years in Oklahoma—graduate of Anadarko High in ’82, about 60 miles SW of you—but I never found much I liked about it. As much as I would really, really, really love to tell you some good things about it, I just can’t. Unless you are a farmer, I don’t know what you would like. It’s windy cold during the winter, and windy hot-hot during the summer. WAIT! I just thought of something. There ARE fewer mosquitoes there. Anyway, make the most of it, and I think you did the right thing by packing light. You wouldn’t want anyone getting the idea you want to stay. Enjoy the OK-RWA at least.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Love you too, Jan. Sure gonna miss our coffee time.

James, believe it or not, there are people who actually LOVE Oklahoma. :) With this muggy weather, and those little critters that fly into the house everytime I open the door, I'm looking forward to fewer mosquitoes. :) At least that's something!

Angie said...

Good luck, Jess! Keep in touch! I'll miss you.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Miss you too, Angie. I expect that book to be finished when I get back. But wait... I'll be in and out, back and forth... just not every week! :) I'll let ya'll know when we can meet for coffee or something. :)

Linda Todd said...

Hi Jess
Or should I say bye ):
I'll probably be emailing you from time to time for advice. I'm really going to miss you. Just watch out for those tornadoes.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Linda, I'll miss you too. Sorry we weren't able to get together this week. I'm an email away and will definitely holler at you my next trip home.

Good luck selling that mystery!

Charles Gramlich said...

Traveling light sounds wise. Reminds me of Lana and my time in Austin after Katrina.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Charles, I remember your Katrina experience from your book, Write with Fire. Frustrating time--I hope our OK adventure is different from your Austin adventure!

Georgia said...

We'll be thinking about you as you relocate and settle in. Moving around as we did, I learned to change what I ccould, accept what I couldn't change, and make new friends ASAP. Looks like you're on the right track. We miss you! Prayers and best wishes.
Georgia & Bob