Big news! Last night I accidentally got elected VP of the London Writer’s Society. Well, not technically “accidentally”, but close enough to count. Here’s what happened …
So my local writer’s society is really great — we go on handgun field trips, have great critique groups, listen to interesting and informed lecturers at our general meetings, etc. etc. The thing is, elections for the exec board are in September every year, and all positions decided to step down this year … leaving all the exec spots open. For some reason no one in the society wants to be an exec, which led to the former VP basically bribing me into becoming VP on the promise that all I have to do is attend general meetings, exec meetings, and sometimes answer emails.
Und hence, I am now the VP! Huzzah!
Of course, immediately after the meeting concluded, a member hurried over to me and started asking about assorted VP-related matters. To which I had to shame-facedly say, “Actually, I have absolutely no idea what’s going on at all yet, so … yeah, sorry.” It was awkward. But she was really nice about my incompetence and congratulated me on my new post, so it all worked out.
I had another brief panic attack when the former treasurer came up to myself and the new treasurer and started talking finances, handed over the PO box keys, etc. My panic attack was due to the fact that I’m staggeringly irresponsible at the best of times, and I just knew I’d lose the keys the second they got into my possession. Luckily the new treasurer is far more competent than I, and she accepted the keys and the stacks of financial folders with a confident smile. I fully intend to ride her coattails to glory.
So basically I’m hoping that this new VP position will mostly involve me being a figurehead, and then the president and treasurer can be the real power behind the writer’s society. Mine would be a ceremonial position, if you will. I’ll probably get roped into organizing at least a few events, because that’s just what happens when you get involved with something, but hopefully I’ll pull through and said events won’t be a complete disaster.
Well, that’s all that’s new in my life! Anyone got any exciting news to share? Writing-related is great, but I’ll also accept anything involving a new pet, passing a test, getting promoted, going to the supermarket wearing real clothes (i.e. not sweat pants), etc. Share away!
Unrelated media of the day:
Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/l32HFPg
Michelle Proulx - Author 
I think the sentence should depend on the size and scaliness of the fish. If it was one of those spiny things, a year behind bars, minimum. But if it was a tiny fish, like say a minnow, I’d think a warning would probably suffice.
P.S. If something should happen to the president, you’re next in line …
What if it was a swordfish, and she attempted to skewer her opponent with it? And here’s hoping the president stays healthy and well forever, because I’m definitely not up to the responsibility of being in charge of an ENTIRE writer’s society.
In that case, the person attacked must hope to rely on their rapier-like wit as a defence, I suppose. In terms of legal consequences, attempting a swordfish skewer is a nasty business, a major felony, and the accused and their weapon can expect to be grilled by authorities.
To quote my former Korean students, “hul”.
Congratulations Michelle 🙂
BTW – if the President of LWS reads your blog you may be a very, very busy ‘figurehead’ LOL 🙂
Hahaha I didn’t think of that! That sort of thing happened a few weeks ago when I posted about my beta readers being really slow — turned out a few of them actually read the post and called me out on it. I keep forgetting people actually read my blog, lol.
Ha! Congratulations, I think. I got similarly roped into being the President of the Victoria Writers’ Society some years ago. I realized it was a mistake at the old-exec-hands-over-the-reins-to-the-new-exec meeting, but toughed it out for a year and bowed out gracefully as soon as I could. Better make sure your organization isn’t one where the VP is the Pres-In-Waiting. (Man, what a lot of hyphens!)
Man, I hope not! I mean, I warned them when I agreed to do it that I was really, terribly disorganized and wouldn’t be of any use besides showing up at meetings and offering suggestions, so hopefully they aren’t expecting anything more from me 🙂
Well, as someone said about being President — all you have to do is… preside. Sort of true, but I felt the heavy burden of responsibility, even as a figurehead, and having gotten through the 1 year term, decided to quit before I let everyone down by some lapse. But I’m sure you’ll be fine if you have a decent group of fellow execs to work with. Communication is the key.
Luckily I’m terrible at communication, so … wait, no, that’s a bad thing. Unluckily, I’m … yeah, I’m going to crash and burn horribly, lol. I’m pretty good at presiding over things, though, so maybe that will carry me through … 🙂
Congratulations young lady!
Why thank you, kind sir! Also, now that I am Vice President, I politely demand that everyone immediately begin referring to me as “Your Royal Highness”. Also, it’s possible that I’m getting democracies and monarchies mixed up again.
But of course Your Royal Highness! Whatever your wish shall be our command! 😉
Exciting news to share? Oh, nothing much… It’s only Launch Day for my second novella, “THE STONE KINGDOM”. There’s kind of a big giveaway going down on my blog, and a special launch week promotion where you get a bundle deal for the paperback and e-book on Amazon. Other than that, same old, same old. Nothing like being bribed into a position of power. Have fun with that, Madam Vice President! (:
I TOTALLY FORGOT!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 😀
Lemme pop over and re-blog your big giveaway post … hang on … success!
Now, the real question becomes: how do I get a signed paperback copy? Can I like bribe you with money or something, and then you contact your “people” and make it happen?
The Super Secret Process of Obtaining a Shipley-Signed Book:
1) Order the book.
2) Ship it to Danielle.
3) She signs it.
4) She ships it back to you with her fond regards.
If you’re dead set on additional bribes, I’ll not turn you down, but truly, the pleasure is mine. Many thanks for the much-appreciated re-blog! 😀
Congratulations! That’s fantastic. I hope it will be all you want it to be and that you don’t get too overwhelmed by it all. 🙂
And I cannot admit to wearing real clothes. Sweat pants and pajama pants are all I’ve had on for . . .
I’d rather not say.
😉
Ooooh, pajama pants! I often make the trek down to the mail room in my PJs, but I haven’t had the guts to go outside yet. I’m working my way up to it 😀
And thanks 🙂 I’m not a very commanding person by nature, so I suspect I’ll mostly be doing what the president tells me. But still … should be fun, so long as they don’t actually make me do much of anything 😀
I can definitely relate to not being commanding. I really hope you enjoy it and that it’s more fun than stressful.
I generally (temporarily) change into jeans when I have to leave the house. Then, the instant I step back inside, it’s back to being comfortable. I think I’ve only worn PJ’s out into civilization once before (in the middle of the night). I don’t have the guts for it either. Riding somewhere in a car with no intent to get out does not count. 😉 haha
Congrats. you are awesome. big fan of yours. My blog : http://itsmylifealways.wordpress.com/ . would love if you critic.
Thanks so much! And I popped over to your blog — I love your outlook on life 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations. 🙂
80 hours seems harsh for hitting the other woman with a fish. If she’d been battered then a different story 😉
Hehehe. Ahhh fish puns.
They might be smelly, but they’re the best 🙂
xDDD WOW, that pretty much sounds like how everything in my life goes. I mean, I only became president of my school’s literary magazine because the actual president up and quit one day without a word, and nobody else wanted to do it… So, you know what they say about greatness being hoisted upon us and all. 😉 But I’m sure you’ll do great, and it sounds like a great organization, so! ^^
I recently discovered that our library actually DOES host a writer’s group, so probably one of these days I am going to attend a meeting and see what I’ve got to work with there. Maybe I can bring up the idea of gun-shooting meetings, lol! ^^
Congrats though, VP Michelle!
Many thanks! Okay, so your mission, should you choose to accept it, is you need to join your local writer’s group, obtain a position of authority, and then we can use our powers to TAKE OVER THE WORLD! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I’m all for that! xD Writer Groups of the World, unite!
LOL – Happy VP!!
I’m sure you will do much better than you think : )
Thanks 😀 I haven’t been called on to do anything yet, so I’d say it’s going swimmingly!
You should wear flowing robes and carry an open tome as you ceremoniously quote words of wisdom to the mere unadorned members. ;-))
Hehehe. At the very least, it might cause them to realize what a horrible mistake they made in electing me and perhaps even make them let me off the hook 😀
Congratulations! Your writers’ group sounds awesome.
Why thank you! I’m having fun with them thus far 🙂 Last Thursday I had to give a speech on NaNoWriMo — I wasn’t booed off the stage, so I think it went fairly well, lol.
I’ve never been brave enough to try that. And not being booed must mean you’re on your way.