Story

A Note From the Road – News & Events

Published on March 14, 2012 in River Jordan, Road Trips, Story and The Adorables. 0 Comments

Many of you know that I’ve been on the road for weeks and it seems like MONTHS! Working my way homeward bound and back to Nashville tomorrow. Have had an EXTREME time with the Adorables but it has involved homework, schoolnights, and near-misses on missed school buses! (for more on that  Check out Day 21 on the PFS Lenten Journey on the PFS Blogsite )

It has involved having a Great visit with the Wrightsville Beach Methodist Church who now all feel like family (and I can’t believe I didn’t take photos!) and a quick flight to San Antonio to visit and speak at the 40th Annual Prayer Breakfast for PCCA! What an awesome group of people.

Flight was possible because husband flew in and tag-teamed having fun with the Adorables so that I could go speak as Mom and Dad were having a few well-deserved cabin days away. And now the girls keep saying – We miss Baboo (husband) who got to beach with them, eat with them, movie with them as I returned just in time to say brush your teeth and go to bed! :) But we did get a little beach time and Dr. Suess time thrown in.

Please join me if you are anywhere NEAR HAMMOND, LOUISIANA ON Tuesday March 27th. I’ll be speaking at the Presbyterian Church at 7pm but the event is hosted by three area Churches in the Community which is just awesome. The new paperback for Praying for Strangers will be available to purchase. The event is free and open to the public and will be a great time of Stories and Truth Telling.

A few days later I’ll be deep in the heart of Florida – Central Florida to be exact at the UCF Orlando Book Festival hanging with the likes of Joshilyn Jackson, Mary Beth Whalen, Lisa Wingate, Ted Dekker and many other wonderful authors and readers. And then often with a quickness to speak at Discovery Church in Tampa, Florida. Again – all events are free and open to the public so please come find me and say hello!

If you haven’t been following the stories of the Lenten Journey you might like to pop over and check them out. Even if you are observing Lent or into prayer in any way whatsoever – story is story and for goodness sakes  I just realized there is about 20,000 words there free for the picking and choosing.

Don’t forget to tune into Clearstory Radio on a regular basis every Wednesday at NOON and Sundays at 6pm. 107.1lpfm Nashville or steaming at www.clearstoryradio.com Today is Classic Clearstory with Marshall Chapman telling stories about Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Mexico, songwriting, and The Big Lonesome. Thank you to all the people and authors who have requested to be on the show. I’m running a schedule of folks about a year behind and still trying to get some wonderful authors on that I promised spots to long, long ago. I have enough material for a daily show but not enough hours in the day to do one.

For those in the Nashville Area – Don’t forget that Literary Libations takes place soon, March 22 at 5-7pm at the Union Station Hotel. I’m in town for this one so would love to see you there. It’s also a celebration for a Great new Literary Magazine, 2nd and Church so Please put on your calendar and see the amazing unveiling of this little beauty!

Again – don’t forget the new paperback edition of PFS is available with Reader’s Guide, Notes from Readers and more that makes it just a beautiful little bargain and a great gift for friends, family, neighbors and strangers. And yes, that was a shameless plug for you to purchase and support this book of stories with a meaning.

Thanks for following and keeping up with me. Your notes, comments and emails mean so very much.

Home for a few days in April for Easter then back on the road again to Grand Rapids for the Festival of Faith and Writing, Great Falls Montana for an event for the Homeless and more. News to come!

Blessings Always,

River

In The Studio – Cathie Beck and Cheap Cabernet

Published on February 21, 2012 in Authors, Book Groups, Books, Clearstory Radio Blog, Life, Road Trips and Story. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

IN THE STUDIO – Cathie Beck and Cheap Cabernet

Join us for a great visit down on the Gulf Coast with Sundog Books. Bob and Linda White the founders and owners spin tales of the past and recommend novels and stories that are must reads. Then author Cathie Beck steps into the studio to visit. And that’s just what it is.  No interview. No book pitch. It’s a visit that includes book talk, funny stories, Russian literature, stolen stories, wine, and road trips.

It’s always about the Power of Story, the way it connects us and grounds us, centers us and helps us find common ground. Come join us and celebrate the written word in all its glory.

What People Are Saying About Cheap Cabernet

What They’re Saying About Cheap Cabernet

Cathie Beck’s “Cheap Cabernet” is a vintage tale, a female buddy story chock full of the stuff of life: tears, laughter and love in the darkest of times. You won’t put it down until the final page — at which time a box of Kleenex and a glass of cabernet, cheap or otherwise, would be wise to have on hand: the first to deal with the story’s denouement, the second to toast Beck’s triumph.

Cheap Cabernet is simply awesome, such a poignant story, and so very well-written.

—  Patti Thorn, books editor,
Rocky Mountain News

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Some friendships survive beyond the final gruesome fight. Some last beyond the grave. Cathie Beck had that kind of friendship and she relates the roller coaster ride of that relationship in her memoir with a heavy dose of wit and a wine glass full of poignant reflection.

Beck’s writing is breezy, polished, and fun to read. Her vivacious personality comes alive on the page and draws readers into her world.

— ForeWord Reviews

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Cathie Beck’s wonderfully told and achingly poignant memoir will remind every woman to call her best friend right away to tell her how important their relationship is, and how she couldn’t survive without it  And, by the way, to run out and buy the heartbreaking book, “Cheap Cabernet.”

— Iris Rainer Dart, author of Beaches

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All [of the chapters describing Cathie’s life and friendship with Denise] are sharply focused and grip the reader’s attention. . . . Compelling as both an account of a special friendship and, more generally, of the dynamics of women’s lives and relationships.

— The Washington Times

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The book is beautifully written and I could not put it down … what an adventure … this book will be read by many people. … and will make the rounds and stimulate some wonderful conversation about friendship, surviving the rough times and enjoying the hell out of the good times.

— Susan Gatschet-Reese, host, “Mid-Morning Jazz”,
KUVO Radio

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“Beyond wonderful — wickedly funny, poignant, and smart.

Anyone who’s a fan of Mary Karr or Annie Lamott will find Cathie Beck’s “Cheap Cabernet” both laugh-out-loud hysterical — and heartbreaking.”

— Best selling author, Elle Newmark,
The Book of Unholy Mischief

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“Cheap Cabernet is utterly seductive … a page-turner … impossible to put down.

Not since “Thelma & Louise” have women and friendship been so beautifully and powerfully painted. This hilarious, heartbreaking memoir is a joyful and exhilarating ride for the reader.”

— Sandi Gelles-Cole, host “Ask the Book Doctor”

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Cathie Beck’s Cheap Cabernet is a bracing story of a woman who took the crappy hand life had dealt her and turned it into a big win. With an awe-inspiring stamina, she kept going long past the point other people — like me — would’ve quit. I devoured this empowering and very funny memoir from the first page.

— Julie Klam, author of Please Excuse My Daughter


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Into the Studio – Julie Cantrell Leads us Into the Free

Published on February 15, 2012 in Authors, Book Groups, Clearstory Radio Blog and Story. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

IN THE STUDIO – Julie Cantrell Leads Us Into the Free

Wednesday at 12:00pm and Sunday at 6:00pm on 107.1lpfm Nashville and Streaming Live at http://www.clearstoryradio.com

We have a great show for you this week as Julie Cantrell shares her story as a new novelist with a story to inspire others. It’s getting rave reviews and she’s just as down to Earth and humble about all that as a soul can be.  We visit with that Bookseller Around the Corner and this week the corner is down Memphis way with Burkes Books. Check out their site and the fact that they have over 12,000 of their used books on line that you can browse and order in addition to brand new selections and signed copies of John Grisham’s latest. You can also ‘like’ their facebook page and visit the neighborhood before you make it to Graceland.

About Into the Free

Millie Reynolds knows firsthand the shame of family secrets. With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” she craves a place of true belonging. Over time, the gypsies that travel through town each spring offer acceptance. Then tragedy strikes and Millie leaves her world of poverty to join a prominent family on the other side of town. There, with the help of unlikely sources, Millie uncovers painful truths about her family’s past as she struggles to face a God she believes has abandoned her. When unconditional love is offered, Millie learns the power of forgiveness and finally discovers where she belongs.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT from David C Cook: February 13-19 pick up a FREE COPY of Into the Free by Julie Cantrell for your Kindle, Nook, or other reading device! This offer is available for ONE WEEK only through most e-book distributors including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Great Musical Interludes

Jack Johnson
David Byrne
Sting
Mumford and Sons
Bent Fabric
Jesse Cook

It’s always about the Power of Story, the way it connects us and grounds us, centers us and helps us find common ground. Come join us and celebrate the written word in all its glory.

On The Road – Woodstock, GA

Published on December 6, 2011 in Authors, River Jordan, Road Trips and Story. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Please join me for a special afternoon or reading, signing and story sharing at Foxtale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA at 1:00pm. It’s an incredible chance to visit historic downtown Woodstock, shop for Christmas, peruse the books, and have a great lunch. Let’s Make it A Date!

Breathless and Blessed!

Published on September 28, 2011 in Authors, Book Groups, Books, Life, River Jordan, Road Trips and Story. 0 Comments

It seems I’ve been on the road since Kingdom Come but this writer girl is home up on the hill. The woods of Nashville are changing and it’s been a blustery kind of few days up here – very, Winnie the Pooh kind of days. And as much as I love my Gulf Coast Florida roots, I appreciate the seasons so much. Yes, those who know me well know I’m entering the season where I sit by the fire all the time and try not to venture out too far into the cold because well, I stay cold. 85 day/75 night – perfect! But we hit a low of 49 up here in the other day and windows open, I built the first fire of the year and lay in front of it in the middle of the night, watching the flames dance and contemplating. It’s a good season for it. To enter in to a greater stillness, a shuffled quietness, to watch the leaves change and to let the rythem of the days help my soul take a different path of quiet reflection in still moments. I find myself gazing out the window just a little longer than during the summer heat, all caught up in the green that engulfs our house. Just a little longer, I watch the wind play in the trees and it speaks to me of time passing. And for me to greatly appreciate these moments – all of them – in the

fullness of the time I have on this Earth whether that be a day or a ten thousand days.

I’ve had the extreme pleasure of again being out on the road meeting readers, visiting with booksellers, seeing precious author friends and meeting new ones. This time travels have included the monster size literary event known as The Decatur Book Festival, the great Southern Independent Booksellers Trade show, The Hoover Library, The Maury County Library and a special Visit to Greenville South Carolina. I’ve been in the company of some of your favorite authors  - and mine – and people I’m delighted to call friends. Spent the weekend at SIBA in the company of so many booksellers I love as well. (And there are many but some that are closer to me so we are a little more acquainted.) Just to name a few author friends who have been out on the road and at events as well and are so awesome to spend time with  - Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Karen Zacharias, Lisa Patton, Nicole Seitz, Mary Alice  Monroe, Signe Pike, Ellen Brown, Joshilyn Jackson, Patti Callahan Henry, Michael Morris, Kerry Madden, Nancy Dorman-Hickson, and so many, many more. Was also able to chat up with some of my favorite booksellers including – Eagle Eye Books, Reeds Gumtree Books of Tupelo, and That Bookstore in Blytheville.  And to have dinner at the house of infamous chef Natalie Dupree! Shrimp and Grits and so much more. biscuits to hush over. And the chatter of words about – words, words, words – everywhere. Loved every minute of it.

And it’s so wonderful to be home.

Wang Ping and Kinship of Rivers Project

Published on August 15, 2011 in Clearstory Radio, Life and Story. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Caught me. Fresh out of the water and unknowingly thirsty for something different. Something with a purpose more grand than reality TV and airbrushed magazine images at check-out. The Somalian famine feature vs the Cereal aisle at my latest superstore. That’s where I was when

Ireceived this add to another facebook group. Added. One more project. One more sweet human I may never meet face to face or have the blessing of saying grace with in a list that is growing every longer. But this one, Wang Ping’s mind melody of people sharing thoughts and words like currents, snapshots and creativity that connects us through that power that runs through all of us. One river in China, one river in America and here across the many miles of water a way to meet.

Wang Ping’s vision is grand and glorious that entails a five-year plan of measurable goals. Oh, capture me indeed. A star-flung vision that has foundation, true meaning, long range plans and results.  This is no burning man art project baby but something meant to create a body of work that someone’s grandchildren could point to and say — look, this photo, this journal, this time – they were here and did this – together.

Add to this sudden surge of mine to say Yep, count me in is that I’m a water girl. Raised on a creek that eventually made it’s way through the southern trees to find it’s way to the motherlode resting place of the Mississippi, that great Gulf of Mexico. The same river that gave birth to the man we needed in Mark Twain. He gave us the all clear and safe passage we needed in the literary dust of rolling river boats, stories, and people making their way south to New Orleans.

Should you have an interest in a project that celebrates the way that the story of rivers, primarily The Mississippi of America and the Yangtze of China shape our lives with their currents, please visit and join in the celebration of the story that is after all, a part of  all of us.

“As you know, our mission is to create a sense of kinship among the people who live along the Mississippi and Yangtze rivers through exchanging gifts of art, poetry, stories, music, dance, and food. Our website http://www.kinshipofrivers.org and Kinship of Rivers Facebook Group which now has over 700 members from all over the world and is still growing daily, reflect the projects growth, as we continue to gather and post poems, stories, images, news and projects about the rivers.” Wang Ping

I encourage you to drop by the site or facebook site and share something amazing taking place.  A group of people dedicated to learning and discovering, celebrating and sharing our common humanity. The Kinship of River’s Project is also tagged with the Clearstory Radio site of the week and will be featured on the upcoming show on Wednesday, August 17 at high Noon.

Yes, Wang Ping and friends. Count me in, indeed. Hope to see you on the Mississippi in 2012!

Roosters, Daylight, & Seasons Change

Published on March 12, 2011 in Book Groups, Books, Life and Story. 0 Comments

There’s a rooster out there crowing across the daylight. Literally, as I type these words. No poetic license involved. He is disregarding the daybreak creed. He has a message to share and could care less right now what the neighbors think. And I get him. It’s the dawn of a new season and I’m sure he can feel it right down to the tips of his tail feathers. There is change in the air. Some seasons take us by surprise, and some are longed for with great anticipation but turn, turn, turn – they will come in the shadowy part of our lives and in this temporal world. Bidden and unbidden – uprooted changes we were  not expecting and the ones we throw our arms wide open to embrace.

As I stand on the eve of Daylight Savings time returning, I feel I’ve got ten toes hanging on the edge of change. Green is whispering it’s way up this Tennessee hill, there are trees blooming white and pink, and of course – that crazy, obsessed rooster out there – all symbols that change is afoot.

Sometimes, the changes we experience are not so transparent or easy to share. But they don’t ask permission of us, don’t knock at the door with a calendar in hand enquiring of the most convenient time for our hearts or minds to shift and grow. But – shift and grow we do, just like the seasons. We continue.

You can find a lovely short post on cha-cha-changing seasons over on author Patti Callahan Henry’s blog. It’s well worth checking out.  You can also find my recent regular contribution on spirituality at Psychology Today blog on Lent, Charlie Sheen, and Our Possibilities here.

Whether you are experiencing unexpected changes in your life, observing the reflective season of Lent, or stepping out to breathe in the goodness of  green returning to the Earth – trust that there is a time for all good things. And that your time here is significant.

Russian Strangers and Dr. Watson

Published on February 5, 2011 in Life, Praying for Strangers Blog and Story. 0 Comments

I’ve posted that podcast I promised on my visit to NY. The trip was too short and the audio is just that short and quick as well. But here’s the great take away from NYC. Stories are abounding The issue here is it takes someone to break out of the norm of social behavior to introduce themselves and say – Hello and basically in one way or another – what’s your story? The one I left off the audio was one of the most precious. It was the Driver from Russia who was carrying me to the airport to catch the last plane flying out of the city before the next snowstorm. He’s accent was as beautiful as it was heavy. We began to speak a little bit about how long he’d been in the city, the fact that he had his Green card, the weather in NY was very much like the weather in Russia where he was from. He called his mother “she is very, very old,” every week without fail. And he tried over and over to get me to say his name correctly and his daughter’s name. Very unsuccessfully I might add until we were both laughing. Finally, he tells me this story. That when his daughter was a little girl, he would read to her Sir. Author Conan Doyle. She loved the mysteries so much. He began to call her Sherlock and she called my driver, her father, Watson. When he applied for work at the new agency they already had a Russian driver with his name. We can’t have two they said. “You can just call me Watson, then. That is ok.” And just like that he became Watson to the agency and in some part to the city. His daughter is now 18. She misses her friends from the old country. Maybe it’s more difficult to find your way so far from home. Harder to build a better life than it looks like on the outside looking in. At night, I think of Watson and his daughter Sherlock. I pray for their success, their health and happiness, and that their dreams they’ve linked to my ‘old country’ will exceedingly come true.

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, Lisa Patton – and MANY more had culminated over a year of authors meeting and breaking bread together with a holiday party at Ad Hudler’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!

Long Hello’s and Sad Goodbye’s

Published on November 21, 2010 in Authors, Book Groups and Story. 0 Comments

It’s been a rush of a week up on the hill. We ventured forth to the great Dahlonega, Ga literary festival where we visited with old festival friends Sharon Barak, Director, Jackie C. Cooper, Laura Knorr, Mark Braught, and William Rawlings and met fast, new friends and talents Jon Turk, Patrick Michael Finn, Jeffery Stepekoff and more. God bless festival directors, their boards, supporters and volunteers for giving writers such a beautiful way to step out into the world to meet each other, new readers and a take a walk around a lovely square. We ate at our favorite places discovered on previous trips including the Creole Restaurant, the Oyster Bar, and Shenanigans Irish Pub. We had the pleasure of staying in the very, histocal bed and breakfast. Took in a very special late night with Jon Turk discussing his latest, THE RAVEN’S GIFT and other wild adventures at sea and wrapped things up Sunday morning with a brunch overlooking the river followed by special panels that day. As always, we never wanted to leave this picturesque city. (The national Christmas Tree will be making an appearence through the city in a few weeks on it’s way to the capitol as it was discovered in the beautiful mountains nearby.)

A wonderful odd note was when I took a break to find a coffee on the upstairs porch of the Crimson Moon, pulled out a book, read and occasionally glanced up at the town square and the people there. Once I thought I had glimpsed a writer/reviewer/and amazing photographer, Jennifer Carter from the Atlanta area. We had met months ago at my book signing at Foxtale books. But surely not, eh? Well, after I finished said coffee, and closed the last page of HOME, by Marilynne Robinson with a sigh, I wandered the square and discovered none other than Jennifer sitting with coffee, journal, and camera. We were able to visit for a few minutes and she later sent me this picture where she had captured me unknowingly as she was snapping photos. She has the great SouthernGirlSouthernWorld.com blog and the incredible photos at JWanderlust.com . Way to go Jennifer. Thanks for the surprise show of Author in repose.

After such a wonderful road trip it was difficult to come home and immediately attend the last author event at Davis Kidd booksellers in Nashville. Fannie Flagg was good medicine for the night though as she told stories Flagg style and signed her latest until the cows came home. In this photo – Author Susan Gregg Gilmore who drove over from Chattanooga for the event, DK manager Beverly Perry, Author and #1 Fannie Flagg fan in the world, Lisa Patton, and myself. We mugged for the camera with smiles but sad hearts. (Missing from the photo is author friend JT Ellison who had to leave to get back to deadlines and pack for a research to Scotland moment before.) But our hearts were there with the booksellers and in the aisles as times have shifted in our world here. Author friend PT Cruther did a great job summarizing the closing and you can read her article here.

In the meantime -thankfulness for readers everywhere, for the continuation of stories, for the magical moments we share in life I wish you a Peaceful, warm, and loving Thanksgiving. And please remember when sitting down to tables everywhere, invite a stranger, a friend, an odd man out, anyone who might otherwise be keeping sadly to their own. It’s a week for sharing in all our bountiful blessings.