Watching the Julie and Julia movie last week inspired me to start working on my book again. That’s because the movie is all about Julie from Queens who blogs about cooking Julia Child recipes. It’s about how she becomes famous from her little blog. (Okay, it wasn’t that little a blog. She was featured in the NY Times.) And then she turns her blog into a book. And then the book is picked up by a movie studio and Nora Ephron turns it into a movie with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Wow! How exciting! From a little blog to a BIG BOOK.

I closed my eyes and thought about my first blog that I wrote during 2007…during the year I was counting down to my 50th birthday. I thought about my plans to turn my first blog into a book. And then I started to get really excited.

I can do this I said to myself. Yes, I can. If I start editing one post a day, I will finish my book in 365 days. Or less, if I do more editing each day.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, I began to dream. What if I really do get my book written within the next year? What if I turn my first blog – ayearto50 – into a book and someone wants to publish it?

Ooh, ooh, ooh, what if someone wants to publish my story about my extraordinary countdown to my 50th birthday? It would change my life. Perhaps! And if it doesn’t change my life, at least I can say I authored a book during my 50+ years. And if no one wants to publish my book, I can always self-publish.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, what if I write my book and someone does publish it, and then a movie studio wants to turn it into a movie. That would definitely change my life forever and ever. I’d be famous, just like Julie from the Julie and Julia movie.

Let’s see, what actress do I want to play me in my movie? I think Diane Lane would make a good Judi. And the actor Brad Garrett would be excellent as my late husband M. Brad is tall with dark hair – just like M was.

What about my kids? My daughter A said she would like Megan Fox, the actress from the Transformer movie to play her part. Of course, Megan is beautiful. However, so is Diane Lane.

My son D thought the whole movie idea was ridiculous, so he would not participate in my ‘name the actor’ game. I told him if he would not participate, then I would do the casting call for him. Let’s see, I don’t know too many young actors, but perhaps Shia LeBeouf, would do well as D.

“Shia LeBeouf, Shia LeBeouf,” said D. “He will be way too old to play me by the time they produce your movie,” said D. “You haven’t even finished your book yet.”

“Okay, okay, you’re right,” I said. “Who do I think I am producing a movie before I even have a book written.”

I started editing my blog posts last week. I was doing really well. I had completed a few pages, when interuptions hit. First, it was the new roof installation that required my attention. Then, it was my son’s dorm room situation (or lack of one) that distracted me. Then, just yesterday, I had another annoyance when my garage door opener decided to breakdown.

Oh, I don’t know how I am going to find the time to work on my book!

Just do it! Just do it! Just do it!

Oh, I don’t know how I am going to find the time to work on my book!

Just do it! Just do it! Just do it!

Come September, one week from now, I’m going to stop all these excuses and start some serious editing. Come September or maybe October, I’m going to set up my writing nook (in my son D’s old bedroom) and really get started with my first draft. Yes, I’m going to hire the 1-800-GOT-JUNK company to get rid of my son’s old furniture and go to IKEA and order a new desk for his room (actually his room is going to morph into MY room once he leaves for college).

Yes, I can and I will be a published author during my 50+ years.

I will, I will, I will.

However, as for Hollywood, I guess Hollywood may have to wait awhile. Or, maybe, maybe, maybe, I’ll just take my published or self-published book out to Hollywood and take a picture of myself with my book in front of the Hollywood sign in California. Or, maybe I’ll just get a big Hollywood sign for my new writing room in New Jersey, so I can look at it every time I sit down to write my book.

Better get some rest now, so I can keep dreaming.


Judi