Fifteen Minutes of Fame? Well ….
A friend at the hospital heard I was a newly published novelist and asked me if I would be calling in too “Rich and Famous” to work soon. After all, I am on a book tour! I have just published a novel!
Published a novel?? Me?? Who would have dreamed it when I was slogging away in our grungy basement, or local coffee shops with the same fantastical self-image as any middle-aged mother who suddenly decides to reinvent themselves? Was this novelist thing any less outrageous than suddenly taking up yodeling or body piercing? I told my her that I would be happy merely to call in “Out of Debt and Keeping my Same Old Friends.”
Unanticipated as it is, it has been a bit miraculous to be on a book tour, finally holding in my own disbelieving hands the weighty, hard back product of a decade’s worth of silent musing. If I may confess it to this anonymous audience, the only event to surpass this so far is the birth of my twins. Even my wedding paled. (Sorry, sweetie!)
In my fleeting fifteen minutes of fame, I can admit that it has been glorious, and the cause of many deep and soulful blushes, but also comfortingly real. I still look in the mirror after a signing and realize I have lipstick smudged on my front tooth, and I still come home to the same piles of dirty dishes and smelly socks, and my children are thoroughly bored with the whole escapade. Surprisingly, that only makes me more certain they love me for my mediocre cooking and lung-collapsing hugs.
So I am happy to wallow in this fifteen minutes of fame, all the while recognizing that–just like Andy Warhol, the originator of that sweeping anointment–I too shall die and a million more will rise up to replace me. They are nipping at the edges of the bookstore shelves right now, ready to bump me from face-out to spine-out. But I even like that somehow. More books to read in my own future! More reason to keep writing!
In the middle of my tour I ran out of copies of Oxygen and wanted to buy some as gifts. I went to my the nearest big box bookstore, grabbed three off a table and plopped them on the counter.
“Do you have a discount card?” the perky young clerk asked. I gave her my number and she stated my name to verify. She asked for my credit card and photo ID, repeating my name each time, clearly drilled by her manager not to let any identity frauds slip through on her watch. She looked at the cover of my novel and I waited, almost shyly, for her to congratulate me on being the author. “Gee,” she said at last. “I’ve seen this book around a lot lately.” I smiled and started to thank her. Then she continued, “Do you know anything about it?”
She handed me my bag and I shook my head. “I just liked the cover.” Next time, though, I just might flip to the author photo on the flap when she asks for my ID. If I’m feeling bold.
Also Posted on FreshFiction.com at http://freshfiction.com/blog/2008/07/carol-cassella-rich-and-famous.html
August 8th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Hi Carol,
I’m so proud of you, first and foremost about who you are, but certainly about what you’ve accomplished with Oxygen. I started yesterday and it’s difficult to put away. The Dutch translation will appear shortly.
As you will understand, I had to write something on your blog, at least once. So there it is! Take care.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Oh my gosh, diffenently turn to your picture in the book.
You deserve for everyone to know you are the author!
I would so freak out if that clerk were I.
I say smile and brag a little.
Awesome book.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Many people are writing “medical thrillers” but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Hope there are more to come.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
So great to hear feedback on the book. It has surprised me to hear OXYGEN described as a medical thriller in a few reviews. I’ve always felt is was a medically based drama. Kind of highlights the downsides of our current tendency to categorize every novel.
It’s a pretty lonely business out here writing, and I just love knowing readers are finding and enjoying the book. Tell your friends, and please keep posting–I will get more blogs out as soon as I get a free (or at least cheap) moment!
August 17th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Dear Carol:
I just finished OXYGEN and it was a wonderful read! Thanks for sweeping me away on a high tension ride (like that roller coaster at Astro World) for awhile. Also enjoyed your descriptions of Houston and Seattle; two places I know intimately. You’ve captured these beautifully. I can connect with the complexities of each patient encounter, the joys and the extreme responsibility. You’ve really captured the agony of a medical malpractice claim against a physician. Great job and I’m eagerly waiting for the next book!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I am reading David Baldacci along with Oxygen and I must say that your writing style, use of language and story-telling is far superior. Keep up the good work. Don’t keep us waiting for the next one too long.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Hi Carol,
Just wanted to say that I loved your book! I’ve recommended it to everyone I know. I work at a medical center so I know a lot of people are interested! Thanks for signing it for me at Border’s in July. It was great to see you and to see Ellen. Congratulations on all your success! I can’t wait for the next one.
Lauren (Dede Patterson Smith’s daughter)
October 19th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I saw the ST article today. I don’t think we have ever met but knew Steve well when he lived in Seattle. In fact, bought our house from him and had a few remodeling adventures. My daughter, Megan, was a counselor at Camp Sealth after her first year of college. The one bright spot of her summer was your twins (then 11) who were in her care for one of the first sessions. She was delighted with them and talked about them all summer. I found out by accident that you and Steve were their parents when I mailed their letter to you home (on Megan’s request). Congratulations to you and my best to Steve. I will send the article link to Megan, an English major at Smith, who will be very happy to hear of the twins and that their mother is a writer.