And now a word from our sponsors

Well, not really a sponsor, but something I would like to promote. A commercial of sorts.

When I started this blog, I mentioned a few of the people that inspired me to start. For those of you who missed my plugs, they were: http://getkinetic.typepad.com/, http://www.wood-tang.com/, http://burdly.blogspot.com/, and http://cancerbitch.blogspot.com/. I visit each of these blogs everyday, learn a bit about the person who's writing, ponder their thoughts, get inspiration from them.

I've really enjoyed keeping a daily account of things I am thinking of as I make the trek to the ripe old age of 40. Some days, I really feel like I am connecting with the writing. Others, it is obvious that I am merely "dialing it in."

I've often thought about what happens to this "material" when I turn 40. Do I keep writing everyday on my journey to 41 and beyond? Do I simply stop the quest and save the material in a file for future generations of Fosco's to appreciate? Or, will I get lucky enough to put some of these nuggets into print? Will I get to publish a book?

This final thought became more attainable today. No, I didn't get contacted by an agent or a publisher, praising me for my amazing writing abilities (ha, ha). I simply went to my local bookstore, walked to the "Women's Health" section, and found "The Adventures of Cancer Bitch" by S.L. Wisenberg (aka Sandi Wisenberg, aka http://cancerbitch.blogspot.com/, aka teacher, aka internship and thesis advisor, aka friend).

Sandi began her blog in January 2007, shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember the night she told me about the diagnosis. I had just finished my first public reading of some of my thesis material at a Northwestern University MA, Creative Writing Program event. I read a section from "Arizona Stories" about touching Charles Barkley's stomach and getting into a car accident later that night. The material was brutally honest, equally scary, and thankfully, well received by the crowd. My friends Jeff Burd and Matt Wood also read that night. I think we were all very happy with how it went.

After the reading, Sandi told me about her diagnosis. It was kind of a passing comment, if you will. She told me, and when she said the words, it was almost like she was informing me that she had a cold. There was emotion behind the words, but the manner in which she said them were, to me, pure Sandi. She was soft spoken, matter of fact, and obviously ready to tackle whatever it was that lay ahead of her.

I am sure it was much more complicated than that. I am sure Sandi was scared as hell. I am sure she was pissed off at the world and ready to kick cancer's ass.

Sandi did what I, and I am sure many of her friends, expected. She began writing. She wrote about how she felt, she wrote about her daily life (going to the doctor, going to the store, teaching, throwing a "Farewell to My Left Breast" party), she wrote about all things cancer and all things not cancer. She wrote a book.

I've learned quite a bit from many people I've met at Northwestern. I formed solid relationships with talented writers, both published and novice. I'm always very excited for my friends who receive an acceptance from the competitive world of publishing.

Today, I am excited for Sandi.

If you get a chance, buy her book. You can find it here: http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp;jsessionid=abcYoYvfxS_Q3exkNVo-r?s=storeevents&eventId=409549. You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Cancer-Bitch-S-Wisenberg/dp/1587298023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236097119&sr=1-1. You can even find it here: http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=the+adventures+of+cancer+bitch.

Also, if you have time and are free on March 25, 2009, Sandi will be hosting a reading at Women & Children First (5233 N. Clark Street, Chicago) at 7:30pm. I am going to try and be there too.
Even though I've read her blog, faithfully, for over two years, and I have probably read much of what I will re-read in her book, I am excited about the possibility.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled life.