Emily at My Place Of Work took this great picture of me, and I thought since some of you haven’t met me in person (or know me from several hair colors ago) you might want to see what I look like, particularly in the hands of a good photographer.
This week, in between conferences, I also updated a lot of Me stuff scattered on the Web, including the pages on this blog that describe me and my writing.
I was very proud to add a link to The Best Creative Nonfiction Volume 2, due out in July 2008, in which you will find my essay, “Range of Desire.” But I was equally pleased — even relieved — to add a post-MFA essay, “Still Life on the Half-Shell,” to my list of publications. I’ve been worried I would become one of those MFAs Who Don’t Write.
I also propagated this picture as my standard photo for social software, bios, and so forth. I have several other backgrounds from this photo shoot that also work well — greenery and flowers — but as a Facebook friend noted, this picture captures a certain mischievousness that is very “me.”
Then I rummaged around for my c.v. and said, “If someone at MPOW needed this at the last minute for a grant application — or for that matter, a promotion — would I be happy with it?” The answer was “no,” so I updated that too.
I am not preoccupied with what one journalist I know once referred to as “the Karen Schneider brand.” If anything, I’m a bit too relaxed. But just as I sat back and admired myself two weeks ago after thoroughly updating my financial recordkeeping — that scrubbed-clean sensation of accounting for every nickel I spent or earned last year — I feel good for giving “Me, Inc.” a little spring cleaning.
One other thought spooling out of this activity is the need to mentor myself. I’m fortunate to have some great mentors out there — people who advise and guide and encourage me in my journey. But in the end, I’m responsible for maintaining and growing “the Karen Schneider brand.”
Posted on this day, other years:
- ALA Bloggers' Roundtable - 2006
- Happy Campers in Orange County - 2006
As one of those MFAs who doesn’t write, I admire your fortitude! Congratulations on all and sundry!
Photographs do not always capture, and most often they capture only one moment. This is most excellent in that it captures much of your person, and the shining light of your drive and intelligence. What a great photo.
Best Creative NonFiction. That’s a Book, right? Wowie zowie. I know, as a techie you’ve published entire books all on your own. But is this the first actual book appearance of one of your literary essays, yes? Congrats…
Miriam B.,. yes! I would go so far as to say Best CNF is more of a “book” than my tech books, iffen ya know what I mean…
Congratulations on The Best Creative Nonfiction acclaim for your essay!
If it were possible to inspire me to do the same sort of “Me, Inc.” spring cleaning, you would certainly have done it!
Happiness is seeping out of your well-toned pores š And I am eagerly waiting for your cosmetic counter analogy/story, so we and libraryland can strive for such fabulosity as well!