Permission to Write

Waaay back in January, I wrote about giving ourselves Permission to Read and declared January Permission to Read month. In that same spirit of guilt-free pleasure, I now declare this my own personal Permission to Write year. Year, not month.

I read so many fabulous books (Permission to Read Month - How's it Going?) and great writing (not just during that month - what do you think I've been doing all February and March???) that I decided to honor a passion in myself that I have been holding back since graduating high school. I'm certainly not going to say how many years that has been, but suffice to say it's been a lot. I'm going to honor Twink, The Circus Monkey, my first book, of which I was inordinately proud, at age 7 (which my parents probably still have somewhere). I'm going to honor Mr. Dennis Houston, my sixth grade teacher, who wrote across the top of one of my essays, "You are a writer beyond all doubt." Perhaps unwisely, I'm going to honor all those angst-filled poems I wrote in high school. And I'm going to honor short stories and essays I've written that have won awards and been published, no matter how small the venue.

The flip side of what I honor is what I now choose to ignore. From this moment on, I will ignore Self-Doubt, who has taken up comfortable residency in my writing brain for decades. I'm sure he will still be there, feet propped up in a comfy pink cloud of my innermost thoughts, stuffing himself with Doritos and calling out snide remarks as I forge ahead. But I will now hear Self-Doubt's crumb-covered sneers, shut him out and move ahead.

In addition to those great books I read, I was inspired in no small part by turning mmrrfty years old this year and still not having seriously tried my secret heart's desire. I don't want another year of regret and wondering to go by. I was also inspired by author Ruta Sepetys, whom I met at a recent conference, which I will save for another blog post, and her question, "What is your story?"

I am still going to do my art and photography, but my focus will be on writing. Okay, yes I designed this gorgeous pillow a few days ago, but other than that....

Swallowtail Pattern Throw Pillow by artinphotography
Browse more Blue Pillows at Zazzle

I am currently happily engrossed in research for a historical fiction novel, pencil, highlighter, sticky notes and e-reader by my side, huge volumes in hand.

Topic?  Hint:

Permission to Read Month - How's It Going?

I almost didn't blog today. Because I am supposed to be (and want to be) you know, reading. January is, after all, my self-proclaimed Permission to Read Month in which I have granted myself and everyone else in the world permission to read without guilt this month to the exclusion of all other activities save those which may be deemed lifesaving such as eating and sleeping and showering.

However, I did want to share what I have read so far this month and I am undeniably curious (okay, nosy) about what you have read so far this month.

I started off with City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. While I had seen the movie and loved it, a teacher I work with highly recommended I read the book, saying that it is ten times better than the movie. She was right. It is a dsytopian novel about a world underground and the young heroes, Lina and Doon, who save the city. While the movie had me riveted, there is no way it can carry the subtleties and nuances of the characters and the world portrayed in the way the book did. This is why I love fine writing. To build the characters into life in my head, to make the city of Ember spring up around me - no movie can do that. But words can. I definitely will read the next three books in the series. In the meantime, I got waylaid by my desire to read......

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I have been wanting to read this for quite some time, knew I definitely did not want to see the movie until I read the book - and was not disappointed! Woo hoo! Yes, I know I am behind the times and all the rest of humanity read this eons ago, but wow! That was one heck of a book.

It's actually a trilogy, another dystopian story, of a world ruled by dictators who force the conquered populace, through starvation and violence, to sacrifice their children in yearly killing 'games'. The first book, The Hunger Games, was so enormously well crafted that I frequently forgot to study Ms. Collins' actual craft. I got sucked into the action, the events, the emotions, the characters, the world and forgot to think about the writing (I try to study the writing to improve my own). But I can say that through the subtlety and nuance mentioned above, and through Ms. Collins' careful character crafting giving us access to her main characters' thoughts and emotions, I felt someone finally understood that I lead a secret double life in my head as Katniss, the hunter, the warrior, the protector. And don't we all feel that? Isn't that the goal of a fabulous, strong, yet flawed main character? To have people identify so strongly with the character that they walk around 'being' that character in their heads?

Or maybe I'm just loopy.

At any rate, I loved the first book so much I hated for it to end and went straight on to the second book, Catching Fire, which was aaaallllmost as good as The Hunger Games. The main characters, Katniss, Gale and Peeta continued to be well-developed, the action rolled. I continued to be Katniss in my head, continued to eat up the pages just as fast as I could. Through the characters' actions, words, back story and thoughts made clear, all the characters, as well as the setting and events continued to have that fabulous additional nuance of understanding that only words can bring. I love great writing. I truly do.

The third book Mockingjay was also definitely a good read. However, a couple of things kept it from being as fabulous for me as the first two. We got too much into Katniss' head in this book. Apparently there's a line between allowing the audience access to your character's thoughts and emotions, and moving the plot forward. Don't get me wrong - there was plenty of action. But we dwelled in Katniss' thoughts instead of having access to them and moving forward. And while it was a nice, neat, wrapped up ending (kind of like the ending to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows where we see Harry, Ron, Hermione, et al grown up with children of their own) - it was a tad too neat and wrapped up for my taste. I recommend all three and would be interested in your thoughts.

I also read the ebook version of Rich Fabric, An Anthology. This is an anthology about the tradition and lore of quilting, conceived of and put together by author Melinda McGuire. I contributed some photographs and a short story for this project, which benefits the Twilight Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to senior citizens. Rich Fabric is chock full of interesting stories and memoirs about quilts and quilting, and the ebook version has color photographs as well as music from Twang Darkly, awesome Appalachian fusion. I so recommend this if you are at all interested in sewing, history, quilting, families or making the world a better place for needy elders.

And lastly, I have just started Artemis Fowl, The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer, which is apparently the third Artemis Fowl book. I know I read the first one a few years ago, and admired it. Having just started this one last night, I am so far a bit confused, thinking perhaps you need to read all the books sequentially so as to be in the loop' while reading. Jury's still out on this one since I've just started.

With four days to go in Permission to Read month, I better take full advantage! The volume I've read so far this month is far more than my usual, although I'm not sure if that is due to my 'permission' or due to my new Kindle Fire (of which I am inordinately enamored). I think I've decided that I should remember the sheer pleasure a little permission provides.

Have you taken advantage of Permission to Read month? If so, what have you been reading and what are your thoughts? I'm dying to know!

Permission to Read

I am the anti-resolutionist, as you may know from this blog post. It's ok. I've been called worse. I was waffling about what changes, if any, I'd like to make in my life.

I have decided. January is now officially my Permission to Read month. After work, and things a person must do to keep home and hearth from completely falling apart, I have given myself guilt-free permission to . . . read. Just read. Happy sigh.

This sounds rather anti-climactic unless you know my secret: as a child, I used to fantasize about being locked in the library all night, or ecstasy - all weekend! Just me and tons of books. I love their smell, I love their feel, I love the worlds they spin around me. I adore a well-turned sentence. I took books camping, babysitting and spent much of my elementary school years surreptitiously reading my own books hidden by the cover of whatever school texts I was supposed to be reading, or half-hidden in my desk. And sadly, it has been several years since I have felt I had the time to read for pleasure.

This Permission to Read month will do several things for me: 1. make me a better writer and sharpen my brain just by reading others' well-turned sentences and plots; 2. bring me sanity, relaxation and pleasure - all of which are much needed; and 3. give me some breathing space to think.

That's my rationalization. But really, it's all pleasure.

Less Is More

I won't even pretend. You exhaust me with your yearly tributes to the Roman god, Janus, a.k.a. New Year's resolutions. I am now strictly avoiding all articles and blogs that tell who has vowed to write two novels this year, start three different blogs to help writers, artists, entrepreneurs (take your pick), run five miles every day, develop 25% more products to sell, market to four more media outlets than they currently are, re-do their kitchen and/or bathroom and be the one to solve the current deadlock dilemma at work.

All of those things are well and good, but if I try to do any more than I am currently doing, I'm pretty sure my head will explode in a little blue, powdery puff of smoke. There are so many more things I want to do, so many more things I feel I should do, yet I have the distinct impression I am burying myself in my attempts to do more, more, more. I am buried under a mountain of more. More hectic, more projects, more stress.

At what point do I really understand that 'less is more'? I need to go to bed at 7 p.m. for a week and just read. I need to spend time in the woods and just listen. I need to sit and just breathe. I need a break from the chronic media barrage that is so loud it blocks out what is real. I need time to love and rest. I need less.

And before you say that I am turning 'less' into a resolution - I'm not. I may manage to do it, I may not. I'll be happy if I do; I won't feel guilty if I don't. But it's on my radar as something I need to keep tabs on.

I may send in my picture book to publishers with a nice query letter this year. I may pick up where I left off on my novel. I may concentrate more on writing than photography this year. And I may stop putting so much time into designing products for my Zazzle store. Or I may not. The important thing is that I don't have to pay tribute to Janus with my conscience.

If you are interested in the full David Orr quote, it is from his 1992 book Ecological Literacy: Education and the Transition to a Postmodern World. The full quote is, "The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it."  I have just taken a small snippet of his words in my image above, and obviously, the most impactful words in his full quote are that the world needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. This is a growing part of my career life and one I embrace.

Happy 2013.

Rich Fabric, the Anthology

I have been lucky enough to have 'met' Melinda McGuire, author of Josephine, Red Dirt & Whiskey and Nelson and Cora - the Beginning among other things, a while ago on the world's virtual friend maker - the internet. She is a talented author and last spring hatched the idea of an anthology combining the talents of many. 

Thus, Melinda become the editor and coordinator of Rich Fabric, the Anthology. Rich Fabric focuses on quilting, which has been a necessity, an art, a comfort and an identification for many mostly-rural communities in America. Quilts have the power to bring back a flood of memories, sharpen the quilter's artistic skills and keep one warm at night. Quilts have been woven into our collective lives for generations. I am honored to have contributed to this meaningful project and look forward to seeing our tribute to quilting in print and in ebook format! The paperback includes short stories, memoirs, historical facts and black and white photographs. The ebook will have all of that plus color photographs, video and music. All profits from the sales of Rich Fabric will be donated to The Twilight Wish Foundation.  

Rich Fabric, the Anthology will be available for purchase in paperback form beginning September 28, 2012 through Createspace at Rich Fabric - An Anthology and will be available through Amazon after the release date of 9/28/12 (Melinda tells me it can take a few weeks to show up on Amazon). The ebook format will be released in early December, 2012. 

I asked Melinda to pop over to my blog today to share some of her thoughts and more details about Rich Fabric.  Thank you, Melinda, and take it away!

TWO REASONS "RICH FABRIC" IS ALREADY A SUCCESS

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." --- Aristotle

Rich Fabric is an anthology that focuses on the culture, tradition and symbolism of quilting. Inside the book, you will find short stories, essays, historical tidbits, quotes, photographs, and memoirs about our history with quilts and our future with the craft.

How can I consider the book a success before I've even sold one copy of the anthology, Rich Fabric?

1. The profits from this project are going to the Twilight Wish Foundation. I think this is a fantastic organization. They grant wishes to Senior Citizens who are living below poverty level. So, every dollar of profit that goes to the Twilight Wish Foundation is going to help senior citizens get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. If you are interested in finding out what all the Twilight Wish Foundation is doing and how you can help, visit their website - Twilight Wish Foundation

2. Photographers and writers have joined together to create this beautiful, touching, informative anthology. Each person who has contributed has shared their creativity and done so generously. I am proud to be a part of the project, and I am delighted that this anthology showcases so many wonderful pieces. I hope that I have accomplished weaving these pieces together to create an anthology that fits the name "Rich Fabric", but most importantly, to me, I have enjoyed working with all of the people involved in the project, enjoyed seeing their talents, reading their words, following their stories and images. It has been my pleasure to edit this anthology. 

I am proud to list the following people as contributors to Rich Fabric and the titles of their works:

Quilted by Generations – Robyn Leatherman

Reap What You Sew – Lisamarie Lamb

The Real Magic – Kara Stewart

I’m Sew Happy – Rhonda Dennis

Piecing a Memory – Sarah Negovetich

An Exploration of Jacobean Applique - a conversation with Linda McDaniel

Why Do I Quilt – Crystal Vining.

Crystal passed away before the publication of this anthology. This was her first published piece. I am saddened by her passing, but thankful that I got to know her through her writing and through her passion for quilting.

Dear Mary Kennedy – Suzan McKenzie

Sans Famille – Ruth C. White

Always Warm – Tonya Rice

Lessons from Aunt Becky – Laura Ritchie

My Great-Grandmother’s Quilt – Claire Burson

Common Thread, The Quilts of Alice Shaddix

How the Quilters at the Cornett School House Connect the Present to the Past

A Brief History of the Bargello Pattern

Again, all profits from the anthology will go to the Twilight Wish Foundation.

Many, many thanks to Kara, not only for hosting me on her blog so that I could spread the word, but also for taking part in the anthology as both a photographer and writer. Her work, as always, is wonderful and enriched the project. I am proud to have her as a part of this.

Visit Melinda's author's page on Amazon: Melinda_McGuire

Smashwords author's page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/melindamcguire

Blog: http://www.melindamcguirewrites.wordpress.com/

        http://www.southernsugarbaby.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @melindamcguire

Sappony Art: Strength

I've been thinking about which images I will enter in the upcoming November show at the Kirby Gallery.  In honor of American Indian Heritage month in North Carolina, the Sappony have been invited to exhibit there throughout the month. The theme of the show is strength (title is Sappony Art: Strength).  Artists can interpret strength any way they feel suits their art, from the literal to the metaphorical. 

Pieces entered into the exhibit can be almost any kind of art including pottery, sculpture, painting, poetry, quilting, basketry, jewelry, carving, writing, music, drawing, carving and photography.

I am considering entering my Turtle, Red Tree and Zinnia Pop images.

Turtle by Kara Stewart, Art in Photography

I photographed this male box turtle who was in the middle of our new walking trail when I was at the tribal center photographing the fabulous work that has been done on the driveway, parking lot and walking trail. I think of strength when I think of box turtles because of their steadfast, long lives. The average life span of box turtles, depending on the species and which website you read, is certainly between 20 and 50 years. And many have been known to live over 100 years. Their conservation status is vulnerable, due to their relative late age at maturity (7 years) and other factors (people taking them as pets). The oldest finds of fossilized box turtles date from about 15 million years ago. Box turtles have strength in their long lives and their collective long life on earth.

Red Tree by Kara Stewart, Art in Photography

I think of strength in this Red Tree image in two ways. First, in the literal - the strong, vivid colors. Red and blue pop against the gray and black. Secondly, the strength of the tree itself. I like the mental imagery of a tree holding fast in strong gusts. Its branches may sway and bend, some of its leaves may be blown off and flutter away, but the tree itself abides rooted, fixed and firm.

Zinnia Pop by Kara Stewart, Art in Photography

Zinnia Pop says strength to me just based on the colors! You can't get much stronger in color than these, unless you burn your eyes out.

If you are in the Piedmont North Carolina area, please visit the Kirby Gallery to see the Sappony Art: Strength exhibit. The exhibit is open all through November, with an opening reception on Saturday, November 3rd at 2:00 p.m., which all are invited to attend. If you would like to keep updated on Sappony art happenings, visit our facebook page at Sappony Tribal Art Connection and 'like' us!