Monday, February 22, 2016

Rest in Peace, Harper Lee



My favorite modern author, Harper Lee, died last Friday. She was the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning "To Kill a Mockingbird," and after fifty-five years of silence, she published her second novel "Go Set a Watchman."

Four years ago, in 2012, I began writing for Charity's Place's online magazine Femnista and my first article was on Harper Lee and her precocious character Scout Finch.

To re-read it, click here.

Rest in peace, Harper Lee. You are forever immortal in our hearts and memories.




Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Now What?

Okay, so, I’ve completed another draft on the Great Depression novel. It was a small one; just some minor suggestions that my sister gave me. This is quite possibly the longest thing I have ever written. Maybe too long… not quite sure about that. It’s not ready for an agent to look at. This WIP needs a few more drafts, at least. Polishing, mostly. Of course I’m at a loss as to what to do with it now. Fleshing out, character development, back stories, historical facts- that is never my problem. It’s cutting the unnecessary scenes and whatnot. I never know what is not needed.



Once upon a time, I belonged to a writer’s workshop…for senior citizens. I was an honorary senior citizen at twelve years old. It was a family affair, really. My aunt led the group and she invited me to join, then my grandmother started to attend. One time a cousin of ours visited. I think my Mom and sister sat in on one of the meetings. It was great; I learned a lot from the women and men there. Some of the stories they told inspired this novel (they were part of the Greatest Generation). Now, my sister and a friend of mine reads my various projects and they offer great critiques. For the most part I’m skittish about showing anyone my WIP’s. I worry that they’ll think I’m odd or strange or nuts for writing this or that. Or worse, they may not like it at all and like many writers, I take criticism personally.



But with the Great Depression story, I want to show my friends and family and get their feedback. Perhaps because many of them inspired this story too. They had a hand in it without knowing it. Still, it’s frightening to be so public about a project of mine, because there is always that underlying fear that the agents and/or the publishers won’t want it. Then I’ll be embarrassed for talking up this story.



Sometimes being a writer just plain sucks.


“I hate writing, I love having written.” Dorothy Parker. 

Monday, February 1, 2016

Femnista: Classic Hollywood



The latest issue of Femnista has been released. This month's theme is Classic Hollywood.

In this issue: James Cagney, The Philadelphia Story, Audrey Hepburn, Sherlock Holmes, Mae West, Sorry Wrong Number, John Wayne & Maureen O’Hara, The Honeymooners, Judy Garland, East of Eden, Norma Shearer.

Yours truly contributed an article on the World's Greatest Entertainer, Judy Garland! Check it out!



Read it here.