Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

It had been over a decade since I'd set foot on the campus of Eastern Illinois University . I'd been excited about the trip, but I hadn't realized how good it would feel to be back there.  I spent less than ten percent of my earthly existence there, but somehow EIU still feels like home.   We re-visited several "scenes" from Three Daves , and I wonder---how is it that when I'm so forgetful in my everyday life (seriously, where are my car keys?), I'd somehow recalled all of those places in such vivid detail when recreating them in the story?  They were exactly as I'd remembered, right down to the loud and truly horrible punk band in the warehouse-like setting. It was awesome. :)   Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/i/43582e88-0a4b-4a76-9a5a-d7de68c5b5aa"&am...

Hmm, let's see...1980s...college life...Midwest...why does the premise for this new TBS show to begin airing November 16 sound so familiar?   Could it be because it's the exact same premise for my novel?  Well okay, maybe not exactly exact:  Glory Daze is set in Wisconsin while Three Daves is in Illinois (HUGE difference), and the TV show is about a group of fraternity guys whereas the novel centers on one girl's dating plight. But even still, quite the exciting coincidence, no? Yet more evidence that the world craves its 80s!   But as thrilled as I am about the impending blast from the past, I'm not getting my hopes up too high.  Mostly because of these promo photos of the Glory Daze cast: Um, what's wrong with these pictures?   Don't worry, I'll tell you: #1 Where are the mullets? #2 Why is that Polo collar not up? #3 Why does the blonde's hair not extend  to beyond the top of the photo frame??? These are small things I know, b...

I'm doing it!  Thanks to the encouragement of friend and author, Robin DeJarnett , I'm going back to where it all began and heading to Eastern Illinois University for Homecoming Weekend!!!  In case you didn't know, EIU is the inspiration behind the CIU campus in Three Daves .  It's going to be surreal to be back there, because while I was dancing the night away at Romans nights and grabbing a beer with friends at Ike's, I had no idea that what I was actually doing was "research" for an 80s chick-lit/romance I would one day write.  Seriously, I was studying finance; no one could've foreseen this. So I've booked a room at the lovely Super 8, arranged to do a book signing at the Panther Scholarship Scramble , and cajoled two girlfriends, also EIU alumn, into joining me on October 22.  Fun, fun, FUN!  In addition to a little postcard distribution and making new EIU memories, my mission will be to snap  photos of places that get a mention in the book...