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.

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. 

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.

Long Time, No See

It’s been awhile since I updated this blog. I got busy with the holidays and then catching up, and then with writing. I’ve completed my second draft on the Great Depression novel and am letting it sit for a bit before I tackle it again. Not really sure where to go from here; it needs more drafts to be sure. And I am trying to prepare for the next WIP. It’s a never-ending, vicious circle.

One of the subjects in my Great Depression WIP is abusive marriages. Not to give away too much, due to desperate times, my heroine is married off young to a man much older than she is. Then the marriage becomes abusive. It happened back then, it still happens today. Unfortunately in the 1930’s – and before and long after- abused women had nowhere to turn to. Friends and family may have been well-aware of the situation, but nothing could be done really. The church offered no answers really; divorce was considered a sin by many Christians.

Indiana has an interesting history when it comes to divorce. While frowned upon by most of society – and I am sure most Hoosiers- in the 1830’s Indiana passed a bill making it easier for women to obtain a divorce and keep the children. That was monumental for the 19^th century! It was so easy to obtain a divorce in Indiana, that Heinrich Schliemann, the man who rediscovered the lost city of Troy, came here to obtain one as well. Of course while it was helpful to have such a liberal law, the majority of women did not make a beeline to the Hoosier state to free themselves of their husbands. Divorce carried a social stigma- if you were a divorced woman you were considered immoral and the blame of your failed marriage was laid at your feet. By the 1930’s divorce was too expensive that many couples opted to remain married because they could not afford to separate.

My heroine wants a divorce but various circumstances prevent her from obtaining one. Her story is partially modeled after that of a woman’s in my family. She was shackled to a violent man and was only freed through his death. While I believe in making marriage work and for better and for worse, I am grateful to live in an age where women can break away from their abusive spouses if they can. 

“Love, Animals & Miracles,” by Dr. Bernie Siegel

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Dr. Bernie Siegel has long observed how relationships with animals have helped his patients, alleviating their suffering and heartbreak. Now, he’s gathered many inspiring true stories, including delightful tales from the “Siegel Family Zoo” where “squawks, purrs, chirrups, squeaks, barks, and so on” fill the house. Other stories reveal animals as teachers and messengers, doctors and nurses, healers and miracle workers, and often as guileless clowns. Bernie writes that animals are here to show us how to be nonjudgmental and live better, healthier lives. Let these stories teach you, and apply their lessons to your daily life. If you have an animal, an appreciation for the inspirational, or simply the need for a smile, you’ll treasure this celebration of animals as a source of love, wisdom, and miracles.

A portion of the publisher’s proceeds from this book will aid Ark Angel Society.

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION

Retired surgeon Bernie S. Siegel speaks, writes, and runs support groups in his effort to empower patients. His books include Love, Medicine & Miracles and 365 Prescriptions for the Soul. He lives in Woodbridge, Connecticut. Freelance writer and editor Cynthia J. Hurn cowrote No Buddy Left Behind with Terry Crisp and The Art of Healing with Bernie S. Siegel. She lives in Somerset, England.

MY THOUGHTS

I am more than a little biased for “Love, Animals and Miracles,” because I was one of the contributors. The story of my Basset Hound, Gracie, and how she came to us was included in this anthology. Grace’s story is one of many; how with her big heart and unconditional love, she worked a miracle in all of us. I believe that one of the stories in Dr. Siegel’s book will touch your heart and maybe inspire you to open your life to the love of an animal. It will be one of the greatest loves you’ll ever know. 

The Zookeeper's Wife

http://www.stack.com/2015/10/31/jessica-chastain-and-daniel-bruhl-star-in-war-movie-the-zookeepers-wife/

I am so flipping excited! Jessica Chastain is finally in the midst of filming “The Zookeeper’s Wife!” The movie is inspired by the book by Diane Ackerman and the true life story of Antonia and Jan Zabinski. The couple managed the Warsaw Zoo during WWII and hid hundreds of Jews from the Nazis. I have been hearing rumors about this movie for a couple years now and am ecstatic that it is officially in production!!!

I don’t usually watch movies at the theater; too pricey, but I may make an exception for this one!!!



Got a feeling of what my next WIP will be on…

Strange Fruit

Lyrics: 

Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop

Sort of haunting, isn’t it? That is Lady Day herself, Billie Holiday singing a long, forgotten song, called “Strange Fruit.” 

The song – which was originally a poem called “Bitter Fruit” was inspired by the lynching’s of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith. They were two young African American men who had been accused of murder and rape in 1930. A crowd– men, women and children were all present- took them from their cells; the young men were beaten and hung. A third young man was spared the noose in the nick of time.

This sounds like a story that had taken place in the Deep South, right?

The lynching’s took place right here in Marion, Indiana.

My grandmother used to tell me that when I was researching our genealogy, that when I climbed up the family tree, beware of what might fall out of it. I think the same applies to doing research on your home state.

Indiana has a checkered past.

We Hoosiers, particularly the Quakers, were involved in the Underground Railroad and believed in abolition. Many of our young men fought for the North during the Civil War, my great-great grandfather was one of them. Yet we had some Jim Crow laws here, along with segregation. In 1924, the KKK had its rebirth here in Indiana. There are many sun down towns in Indiana- towns that do not permit African Americans or ones that do not want them around after dark. Growing up, when I watched “To Kill a Mockingbird,” my parents said that some of what went on in that movie, happened in Indiana when they were growing up.

In writing the first draft of my Indiana novel, I didn’t mention racism once. I was aware of what went on in Indiana’s past, but I didn’t think it was my place to write on a subject that I have no concept of. Also, it didn’t really fit in with my story.

Or so I thought.

However, in the last few weeks, I realize that if one writes about Indiana and the 1930’s, the racism can’t be ignored. There had to be a way for me to show what it was like in those days without trying to take advantage of someone else’s pain.

As a fan of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Help,” I have read some critical reviews that implied some irritation that the African American characters of those novels needed help from the white characters.

What if an African American character helps my heroine, or tries to?

As much as I like the song, it won’t be featured in my novel. My story ends in 1936 and the song was sung in 1939. The point is clear: we must confess our sins and try our damnedest not to repeat them. We must do what we can to atone for our mistakes and when we leave behind the world, we must leave it behind a better place.