It Ain’t Over ‘Til the Jellyfish Stings by Deb Eve

evebrown49What? My LAST post as a Debutante? It can’t possibly be. My book is not a bestseller yet, hasn’t been optioned for a movie, I’m not nearly where I should be on my next effort, I haven’t even figured out if I’m a writer (as in, this is my career) or just a person who wrote a book (as in, go out and get a job now, dear)!

No! There’s still too much I haven’t yet figured out about this business. Like, how the heck are you supposed to promote one book AND write another at the same time (all while keeping the laundry and dirty dishes from taking over the whole house)? And how do you not let all the rejection and criticism wear you down? And what, exactly, is the correct placement of punctuation with quotation marks?

And most importantly, how much does it really hurt to get a tattoo? You see, I had wanted to mark the end of this era by doing something bold, something permanent, something daring … and maybe just a teensy bit out of the ordinary. I had decided to get a tattoo! Oh nothing big and glaring. And nowhere with imminent risk of sagging (hey, I am 47). I had decided on a delicate little jellyfish on my ankle. Those of you who have read FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA will understand the significance of a jellyfish on my ankle. (Those of you who haven’t read the book, I’m begging you one last time – please, please, please read the book!)

Well, last week, I almost got the tattoo, but chickened out at the last minute. (Hey, the ankle is all bone and that hurts! Plus, what if I hate it? What if I’m the first old lady in history with saggy ankles?) Maybe I’m just not ready to get a tattoo. Like, maybe I’m just not ready to leave The Ball. Maybe I’m just not ready to move on, write the next book, embrace my life as a writer. Maybe I’m just not ready to leave behind FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA and all it has meant to me.

Maybe what I’m really not ready to leave behind is the camaraderie and support of my sister Debutantes – Kristina, Katie, Meredith and Tiffany – all such incredibly fun and talented women. And I’m not ready to give up the counsel of the women I’ve come to think of as my “Big Sisters” – the wise and generous Graduate Debs. And I am definitely not ready to give up this audience: the readers who have cheered us on, promoted us, loved us. Without you all, this craziest of years would have been unbearable.

Ah, but all good things must come to an end. If not, we’d all still be fingerpainting, taking naps every afternoon and waking up to cookies and milk. (And that would be bad, why?) So, I too, take my final twirl around this glorious dance floor and exit stage left. I now join the ranks of the Big Sisters, proudly cheering on the newest group of Debutantes and hoping to add to their well of wisdom and support.

I leave you now with my tiara, my pearls, my gloves, these damned high heels and a question: How much, really, does it hurt to get a tattoo on your ankle?

~Deb Eve

P.S. You can continue to follow my adventures – and keep in touch – at www.EveBrownWaite.com where I will be resuscitating my long-neglected blog, I’ll Keep You Posted. And for anyone in New York City, I’ll be speaking tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 29) at the St. George Library on Staten Island at 3 PM!

15 Replies to “It Ain’t Over ‘Til the Jellyfish Stings by Deb Eve”

  1. I can’t believe this is the last week with all of you either . . . but I can’t wait to meet the new Debs.

    I can’t give you any advice regarding tattoos (on your ankle or anywhere else), but I’m your girl with punctuation/quotation mark questions. 15 years as an English teacher is good for a few things, I guess. So, just holler!

  2. I will miss you, too, Eve! But we will continue to meet up in cyberspace, I’m sure. I can’t offer any advice on the tattoo, either…

  3. Hey, if your debut year DIDN’T drive you to fingerpainting, naps and waking up to cookies and milk (or just into a gibbering mess) your did well and you’re ready to graduate. It’s been a hoot and a pleasure getting to know you this year and I plan to be reading many future books from you.

    Big Sis Deb Danielle

  4. I’ve always talked of getting my ISBN tattooed on my body somewhere. I do have an ankle tattoo and can tell you- not that bad. You could handle it.

    I loved your book and all your comments this year- I’ll miss you so be sure to stay in touch.

  5. 47? You look much younger, and you’ve got the spirit of a 19-year-old. Definitely get the tattoo! You deserve it. Please ask your Mom to come back and visit the site next year — and I know you’ll be around, too!

  6. Eve, the tattoo will feel like bees stinging you, but if it’s small, it will be over quickly. I have a tattoo all the way around my ankle. The area around the Achilles was the most painful. I’ll miss your posts, and definitely keep writing!

  7. Thanks all! I can’t believe this year is over ALREADY! My, oh, my time flies when you’re 47 (and look much younger … BLESS YOU Sarah!). As for the tattoo – my sister-in-law votes YES; my agent votes NO!

  8. I vote yes on the tattoo, because it will hurt you more than it hurts me. Something like that.

    Eve, it’s been fun, but you’re not leaving behind the Debs! Trust me on that one.

  9. It HAS been fun, Kris and Tiffany and Katie and Meredith. And I am definitely NOT leaving you all behind. Once a Deb, always a Deb, I suspect!

    It’ll hurt you more than it hurts me… sheesh!

  10. Oh, Eve, if you can survive and thrive on what you’ve done — including malaria –, what’s a little tattoo? I recommend the “press on” type of course! 😉

    You’ve been terrific — as has “Eve’s Mom” — and you better restart that blog…I’ll pester until you do. There’s much to share. First post: My Jellyfish Stinger.

    P.S. To ALL: It’s been an honor to get to know you, read you and cheer you on. Now please, as your Fairy Godmother, I need more to do so keep writing. Yes, change is taking place already with one glance at The Dance Card…the 2010 Debs are “booked” through year’s end!

  11. I can’t believe I missed the last posts…my old computer bit the dust, and I just got a new fancy lap top…need to get used to the key board and bright shiny screen.

    I wish you all the best…yes, get the tatoo, and then I will…for my 70th bd.

  12. You are always very profound and here’s just one more gentle, pearl of wisdom. You are right, “All good things must come to an end. If not, we’d all still be finger-painting.” But remember it isn’t the end of an era just a title rather you are moving on to other related pursuits. You are a fabulous writer on a multi-path journey. You’ll always be a Debutante in my eyes.

  13. Just read your book and loved it. I’m sorry that I borrowed it from the library, but bankruptcy & foreclosure win out over new books. But, but, I want you to write the next book. I promise I’ll buy it, because if I don’t have any extra money by then, well, let’s not think about that.

    On my Facebook account, and soon on my blog, I’ve told all of my friends to read your blog…and I included a link to Amazon, so perhaps there will be some cash in it for you. I really want to read the next book.

    Anyway, I commented here, even though this is the first (so far) blog entry I’ve read here – your blog doesn’t have comments open, so I couldn’t comment there.

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