My Menopausal Musings

I've been sitting here editing pages from THANKSGIVING (the novel I'm working on) and thought I'd share the first couple of pages.... Just a little tease and perhaps a little inspiration for contributions to the Starving Artist Fund so I can finish it ;-) November 26, 2009 Rita was at a complete loss. Thanksgiving had always been her favorite day of the year and with three short syllables her daughter had driven a stake through its heart and killed the holiday forever. It was raining sideways in New York and the wind whipped between the buildings. Rain and sleet mixed with the hot tears streaming down Rita’s face. She knew where she was going and she was determined to get there before she lost her anger, but she wasn’t exactly sure what she would do when she got there. The adrenaline racing through her body was making her dizzy. Stopping to catch her breath beneath an awning at 181st Street, Rita realized she had run out of the house with her handbag but without her co...

Last night I got a booty call. About two and a half years ago I had an unfortunate fling with a tall, handsome, and slightly younger man. I was reeling from my sad encounters with The Bartender and he was still stinging from his own breakup. One thing led to another and then, under the excuse of meeting his new puppy, we attempted to find comfort in each other’s arms. The night came to an abrupt end. He was rude and I pretended not to be hurt. A year later he sent a text message that I ignored. I never expected that I would hear from him again. Last night I received an e-mail saying hello, informing me that his puppy was all grown up, adding that he owed me dinner. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I confess I was surprised to hear from him and admit to being quite flattered that he still had me on his mind. After a bit of deliberation, I replied that dinner in the coming week would be lovely. He then suggested I see him “tonight.” Since it was 11pm I said no. ...

My birth festival is in full swing and I have been burning the candle at both ends for the last two weeks. Visitors from the other side of the pond, a meal on my actual birthday that was so amazing it deserves its own post, and staying up at night staring at my computer screen and NOT writing. I think someone should do a study to confirm that overeating slows the brain making it impossible to speak or write in complete sentences. In my last post I mentioned that I was going on a date with someone who was in my memoir, I Thought I Grew Up . I was more than a bit concerned that he didn’t know about it and decided that I would wait until he was halfway through a smart cocktail to tell him. Arriving at the restaurant a bit early, I sat down at the bar, ordered a glass of wine and then pulled a book from my bag. As soon as I opened the pages my date walked through the door. He arrived on time looking rather dashing and carrying a Barnes & Noble shopping bag. A quick kiss hello an...

I’m sitting at the Café in the Barnes & Noble in the Citicorp Building in NYC. I came for a little inspiration. It is filled with writers and readers sipping coffee and staring out the window at the rain. I love being here, surrounded by stacks of books and people who love them. When I arrived, the café was full so I went to the second floor to the biography section to take a gander at my book on the shelf. It’s so exciting to know that it’s here, to know that several stores in Manhattan have it on the shelf. I wonder if that will ever get old. I certainly hope not. I came here to work on my novel, but my head is so full I decided I make use of the time here to organize my thoughts. Multitasking has been a chore over these last few months and it helps to just lay it all out. These are the main events: The novel – The working title is Thanksgiving. The collaboration project – It’s a big exciting secret book proposal. The big pitch – I’m working on the idea of making I T...

I’ve been running around like a mad woman these days! Trying to pay the bills. Trying to make the film locations business work. Trying to sell real estate. Trying to make sure everyone (and I mean you) is buying my book. Trying to write my new book. I need to stop running and just sit down and write! I love to write. I love the process. The real problem is that I’ve been stuck. Struggling for the words at each turn, so it’s time for a little diversion, a busman’s holiday of sorts. I am going to shake all those locked up thoughts loose by going back to the beginning. It’s time to start blogging again. Blogging – writing – about what’s going on in my life. Dating. Writing. Cooking. Menopause. Crying. Sex. I’m going to start stopping by more regularly. I look forward to chatting with you and seeing your comments.

I can't believe it's taken so long to tell you what went on at the book launch party! The launch party for my new memoir “I Thought I Grew Up” was last Friday night at the Morningside Bookshop in New York City. It was a tremendous success. Happy faces, laughter, wine, friends and many books sold. For those of you that have joined the world of Facebook, I've posted photos of the event on my Facebook Fan Page, Author - Michelle Churchill . If you’ve already started reading, it would be great to hear your thoughts on the book the Facebook Reading Group . If you haven't already, I hope you’ll all take a moment to rush to Amazon or Barnes & Noble to buy copy of “I Thought I Grew Up”! Even more, I hope you’ll let me know you've been reading and share your thoughts. Thanks to all you for being so supportive. Michelle xxx

Today is the official day! My book is out and people are already buying it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble . You can even download I Thought I Grew Up to your Kindle if you're so inclined ;-) I confess I'm nervous about the whole thing. How many of us decide to share how often we cry or get laid in print, knowing our Mother’s or future dates will be reading? I’m wondering if first dates that read I Thought I Grew Up will be too nervous for a second date… I hope you’ll all take a moment to support your fellow BoomerGirl and rush to Amazon to buy copy of I Thought I Grew Up! Even more, I hope you’ll let me know what you think by stopping by my Fan Page or my Reading Group on Facebook and sharing your thoughts. Tomorrow is the launch party and book reading. Wish me luck! And now….. I’m on my way to have my lip and chin wax for the big occasion ;-) Ahhhh the things we girls have to do as we get older! Oh..... don't you just love the bookstore window where my re...