Part 81: Things I’m Thinking About Today
God knows what I’ll be thinking about tomorrow or even 10 minutes from now
Turning this newsletter into a book.
Ugh. Drafting a proposal. Finding an agent. Spending the next 18 to 24 months working on something that’s already taken almost two years of my life and that’s IF I can find an agent and IF they can sell the book. I don’t know. Where does Life On the Inside even fit into the landscape of memoirs, humorous essays, or books about autism? Does it fit? Is there a spot for it? And if there isn’t now, will there be? The discussion about how to handle autistic adults caught in the criminal justice system is growing so maybe, down the road, a book like Life On the Inside would be appropriate, maybe even helpful. I don’t know.
Writing fiction.
I love thrillers. I’m a complete addict. Shari Lapena, J.T. Ellison, Alice Feeney, Kimberly Belle, I don’t read their books. I suck them down. Could I write fiction like they do? Probably not. But I’m playing with something that’s thriller-ish and funny. In fact, it’s the only thing I look forward to working on these days. It’s called NightPrime. It’ll probably go nowhere but, if you want to take a look and tell me what you think I’d appreciate it. I think. I’ve shared it with, like, no one. Ok. Here’s the link. Be kind!!
Launching a podcast.
I’ve toyed with this idea for a bit and have been thinking I’d call it “It’s Always Something with Susan McCorkindale”. Because it’s always something, right? You lose your job. The air conditioner craps out during a heat wave or worse, after you’ve lost your job. You finally find a bathing suit that fits and the top disappears while you’re body surfing. It could be one of these podcasts that’s serious and funny and encourages resilience and laughing your ass off at everything possible. Eh. There are so many podcasts. And God, it’s so much work.
Doing absolutely nothing.
Maybe not nothing, but the bare minimum. Being a good wife, a good mom, a good daughter and friend. Writing ad copy so I can help pay the bills. And reading. Lots of reading. That’s my idea of nothing. All this other stuff that I think about is exhausting to think about. I can’t imagine trying to do it! In fact, I need to lay down. I’m fried from thinking about all of these things. Dear God, someone unplug me! Take my laptop away! I hope I didn’t make the bed. I’m getting back in.
Life On The Inside is an email newsletter that’s usually about life with my son who has autism and who has been under house arrest since April 2023. Right this moment, it’s about his exhausted, confused mom. With any luck, I’ll regain my bearings and return to writing about that…soon. Thanks for your patience! You can sign up here:
I'm pretty sure you can and will find an audience in the parents of autistic children community for you Life on the Inside book. Maybe you need to self publish and sell directly. I can put you in touch with a friend of mine who might be able to help you ....
I hear you! Ditto!! Very similar questions in my head. Such a gift to have options!