Monthly Archive for January, 2011

You Keep On Knocking . . .

Published on January 25, 2011 in Praying for Strangers Blog. 0 Comments

Do you know that old song? If you do you know what the next line is - But you can’t come in. Well, After two-plus odd years of praying for strangers I did something I have never done. I actually got out of my husband’s work truck that I happened to be driving and walked up to a woman sitting in a Van and knocked on her window. She looked at me and I motioned for her roll the window down. She did. A crack. Can you blame her? Didn’t think so.

So I tell her what most people are used to hearing by now or know by heart if you read this blog on a regular basis – “I have this resolutions and ever day . . . and today you are my stranger. ” Let’s just say ‘Amanda’ is her name. (And my dear if you are reading this you know it’s you and I know you’re real name and am remembering you fondly.) Amanda gives me a bit of wary eye as she asks my name. I tell her and then begin to walk away to just wish her Peace and get on with my business and leave her to hers. But she seems to hesitate. And then to ask me another question.

Then she rolls the window down all the way and begins to tell me her story.

I could share it here but it’s rather personal. But she told me about a few things that were troubling her, things in her life that she wished were better or certainly hoped would have a favorable outcome. And we spoke a little bit longer before I realized I had a Praying for Strangers card that I could give her with the website which I went back to the truck, retrieved from my purse and shared. Normally, I’m in my little white Jeep liberty. Now if you see someone get out of a little Jeep liberty you would just kinda assume their nice and for the most part – harmless. A big old, work truck with stuff and things and rails and such is not so friendly.

But Amanda now sees past that. She rolls the window down and we share a moment in the middle of the city about family and children. Cares and concerns.

A very, universal woman to woman moment. Here’s what I love the most. That night before I went to sleep I did say special prayers for Amanda and everything she’d told me about. And the fact is deep, deep in my heart I truly cared about what happend to this Stranger. That our lives had intersected in a meaningful way. After two years of doing this I still find that fact rather amazing.

Road Trip Report: Tie-Dyed in Texas

Published on January 19, 2011 in Authors, Book Groups and Books. 0 Comments

Pulpwood Queens 2011 (An Audio Hello) I’ve stopped wondering why I have traveled to a small corner of the Texas Woodlands for a number of years, or why time and time again Kathy Patrick has somehow inspired me, cajoled me and funned me into getting dressed in Costume to celebrate literature. I’ve been talked into being full blond as the Pulpwood Queen herself, donning full dress, gloves and pink feathers for the Pink Color Tour, and worn rubber worms in my hair as ‘Bookworm Barbie.’ This year was no exception as the themed party kicked off to find me participating as the book title, ‘War and Peace.’ The shock of the fact that I continue participating has worn off (Cringing over the facebook photos has never abated!) Year after year Pulpwood Queen book club members and story lovers descend on Jefferson, Texas to give tribute to our stories, to introduce debut novelists to the world, and to pay honor and tribute to some of the literary giants of our day. This year was no exception. Greats such as Fannie Flagg and Pat Conroy took the stage and embraced that eager crowd with open arms and funny tales. These incredible, gracious authors were just a few of the jewels that the weekend had to offer with panels and presentations including Janis Owens, Mark Childress, Jennette Walls, Marshall Chapman, Jamie Ford, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson,Patti Callahan Henry, Carolyn Turgeon, Jeanine Cummins, Denise Hildreth Jones, Nicole Seitz, Michael Morris, Echo Garrett and the list goes on and on! It’s the love of story, the power of the written word that continues to call us forth – reader and writer alike. (And I must add two great writer friends who brought their beautiful, darling, intelligent daughters – Kerry Madden with her daughter Norah (who’ll always be Amelia Earhart to me) – and Melissa Conroy with Lila. You would have to be there to know how great these girls were but those who were have the scoop!

It was so wonderful to connect with old friends, to make new ones, and to stand in the midst of so many people who share this wild passion for words to the point of being downright silly -(see photo above!) For a full understanding of the scope of the event you’ll have to catch up on Kathy Patrick’s blog at http://www.beautyandthebook where you capture photos from this year and past year events. There is seemingly no end to Kathy Patrick’s energy and creative spirit, (Watch for her new syndicated show featuring authors from all genres!), her scope, or the continued enthusiasm with which she promotes authors and brings them face to face with the readers who love them.

There were many great highlights but I delighted in all of them. I was particularly pleased when a reader shared with me how timely a few of the Facebook/blog posts had been and how they honestly affected her day and her life. From where I sit behind the desk it can seem like a one-way world until I get out to meet readers and hear their stories. Events such as this afford the greatest opportunity to do just that. I also was so pleased when Pat Conroy declared that his new book, My Writing Life had been inspired by his previous attendance at the Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend – and when a middle school class surprisingly marched in to meet Jeanette Walls and share how her book had caused them had influenced and inspired them, how they had actually continued reading a book for the first time in their lives of their own accord. (Book were provided through a grant.)

Thank you Kathy, thank you Pulpwood Queens of every state and chapter, and thank you blessed writers for continuing to write the words that speak to us. It’s an honor to be in your company.

In the Studio – One Book, The Art of Writing, and Patrick Michael Finn

Published on January 18, 2011 in Clearstory Radio Blog. 0 Comments

Award Winning Author Patrick Michael Finn joins us on Clearstory to discuss the Art of Writing. His inspiration for becoming a writer? One book, a great aunt, and a special occasion. Tune in to hear how Patrick discovered the power of story.

I was first introduced to Mr. Finn when we both presented at the Dahlonegha, Georgia book festival where he captivated the audience.

He is the author of A Martyr for Suzy Kosasovich, selected by Tom Barbash as winner of the 2006 Ruthanne Wiley Memorial Novella Competition and published by The Cleveland State University Poetry Center. His second book, From the Darkness Right Under Our Feet: Stories, won the 2009 Hudson Prize and is forthcoming from Black Lawrence Press/Dzanc Books in April of 2011. A winner of the AWP Intro Award, selected by Benjamin Alíre Sáenz, and the 2004 Third Coast Fiction Prize, judged by Stuart Dybek, Finn’s stories have appeared in Ploughshares, TriQuarterly, Third Coast, Quarterly West, The Clackamas Literary Review, The Yalobusha Review, Punk Planet, and Houghton Mifflin’s The Best American Mystery Stories 2004. His fiction has also received citations in the 2005 Pushcart Prize and The Best American Short Stories 2008. He has taught writing at the University of Arizona, Western Nebraska Community College, and the University of North Carolina, Asheville, where he was awarded the 2006 Teaching Excellence Award. In 2007 he founded and currently coordinates the creative writing program at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Tune in for regular Clearstory segments ‘Walking the Blog’, Festival News, Book reviews and Great Musical Interludes!

In The Studio – The Queens, The Quest, and Janis Owens

Published on January 14, 2011 in Clearstory Radio Blog. 0 Comments

She’s written one of the greatest Southern American trilogy’s ever published. She’s authentic, country raised and cornbread fed, can spin a story at the drop of a hat and talk impressively academic about southern heritage, and just where that word Cracker comes from. She’s no other than Janis Owens and if you haven’t read this author stop dragging a toe in the dirt and go out and begin at what I consider the beginning – My Brother Michael (although the Catts family books can be read in any particular order and still shine!). She’s a North Florida girl who has paid a few dues, become pretty good friends with a ‘budding’ novelist by the name of Mr. Pat Conroy, and writes like a dream. This week she dishes a little on her hot off the presses cookbook, southern storytelling, and the writing life. You don’t want to miss the little bit of time we have to spend with her this week on Clearstory.

We’ll shine a light on a website that will lead you deeper into the realms of your own stories, follow the Pulpwood Queens as they romp through Texas, discover a few inspirational word from The Writer’s Room, Walk a great Blog, suggest a few inspiring gifts for writers, and play some of the coolest musical interludes on the planet.

Join me in a great show this week that celebrates all things related to the written word.

Reflections on a Great Year!

Published on January 1, 2011 in Life, Story and The Adorables. 0 Comments

When all is said and done – what a great year it’s been. As so many things shifted in the world for better and worse I have to say that life has been good to this writer on the hill. Friends and family have ventured out to visit throughout the year, author friend Shellie Rushing Tomlinson and I managed to do 21 cities/stops in 14 days on the aptly named Great Southern Wing & A Prayer Tour last Spring and we still don’t know how that was physically possible. But what a blast meeting readers andbooksellers across multiple states. The Adorables had another great summer adventure where they were kissed by Sea Lions and shook hands with Dolphins, climbed in tree houses and played with cousins and gave this writer a real ‘put the work down’ vacation. The Nashville Dutch Lunch group which had featured book sellers, festival promoters, librarians and such author guests as JT Ellison,

Susan Greg Gilmore, Eric Wilson, Darnell Arnoult, Mary Buckner, Lis a Patton – and MANY more had culminated over a year of authors meeting and breaking bread together with a holiday party at Ad Hu dler’s clubhouse high rise. But there had been no end to the amazing book events that took place all year including the kick off with the Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Book Weekend in January, literary events all year like the Dahlonega Literary festival, and the great Southern Festival of the book where the Pulpwood Queen herself Kathy Patrick showed up to host and plant cowboy hats on all her panelists!

The Miracle of Mercy Land debuted on my youngest son’s birthday and Praying for Strangers was embraced by Penguin/Berkley and will find it’s way into the World April 5 of 2011. Husband and I took multiple road trips to the beach, to the east, and to book festivals far and wide. Then we came home to sit on the porch or laze around a bonfire and take stock in what was most important in life. Love, faith, family, friends. Our cups truly overflow with blessings and gratitude. Wishing you and yours – all those you love and treasure and the secret dreams of your heart – PEACE, and BLESSINGS in the coming year!