Book Review: Wench

I'm back! I took my ball and went home, but decided to come back because I missed you guys! I was way bummed last time I posted but feeling better. I realized that there is nothing I can do except continue to work hard and grow. I have always been a hard worker so why stop now. Thanks to everyone who held my hand during my little crisis. You like me you really like me!! Anywho, on with the show.

Wench is a very thought provoking book written by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Ms. Perkins-Valdez has uncovered a very interesting piece of history. The story opens in summer of 1852 at the Tawawa House Resort. A lovely place where white slave owners could frolic openly with their enslaved black mistresses. (Are you intrigued?) The same group of women come to the resort with their owners every summer and soon develop a friendship. Lizzie, Rennie, Sweet and Mawu are each very different women and each have their own struggles. As Tawawa House is located in free territory some of the women begin to question their own life path. Should they stay, or should they run? Each option surrounded by it's own challenges and risks.

The thing that struck me most about the book was how odd and complicated the institute of slavery really was. There were rules spoken and unspoken. There was a pecking order. Older slaves were more respected than younger slaves, light-skinned slaves were treated better. At one point in the book, the male slaves are outraged because when the overseer gets injured, they have to take orders from his wife. They felt disrespected to have to take orders from a woman. One slave owner seems to care about his mistress, but still chains her to the porch so she won't run away. Seeing as how slaves looked like me, it really made me think where would I have fit in?  What choices would I have made? Being a mother allowed me to truly empathize with the characters who had children. What choices do you make so that your children can have a better life? Ms. Perkins-Valdez has provided a rare glimpse into an entirely different aspect of slavery. She sheds an entirely new light on the subject and simply poses the question, what would you do?

It's Only Wednesday???

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I try really hard to post every other day but it doesn't always work out.

I can't believe it is only Wednesday. This has been a craptastic week. My two-year old sounds like a 40 year old smoker. He can't sleep at night which means I can't sleep either. My 4 year old woke me up this morning to tell me that little Timmy's (not real name)  father is in jail for beating up his mother. Apparently he announced this in preschool yesterday. Then the icing on the cake is, I sent what a thought was my best story to a writer friend to ask if she could help me make it shorter. She emailed me a long list of things that were wrong with it. I am feeling super bummed. If you don't hear from me in awhile it is because I have taken my ball and gone home. Until next time.

Book Review: This is Where I Leave You

Jonathan Tropper, author of This is Where I Leave You either has a really crazy home life, or a great imagination. This was one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. I literally was laughing out loud atleast every other page. The novel begins with the death of Judd Foxman's father. I know, doesn't sound very funny. But of course what happens when there is a death in the family? The whole family comes back home and whenever that happens, there will always be craziness and drama. Poor Judd along with dealing with his grief is also dealing with the consequences of finding his wife in their bed with his boss (a Howard Stern type shock jock). His father's dying wish was that he and his 3 siblings come home to sit shiva.( A Jewish tradition of mourning together in the company of family and friends for 7 days.)

This book deals with a lot of serious topics including death, infertility, sibling rivalry and adultery. Somehow Mr.Tropper has created a family so real, that I felt as if I was right there sitting shiva with them. His characters are honest and flawed. Some are hopeful about what the future can bring, and some have settled. When you aren't laughing your butt off at some of the antics, you will find yourself taking a breath as you recognize your own self, your own family or marriage in his charactres. Here is a quote from the book jacket that sums it up perfectly.

"This is Where I Leave You is Jonathan Trooper's most accomplished work to date, a riotously funny, emotionally raw novel about love, marriage, divorce, family and ties that bind- whether we like it or not."

I am super excited to check out more books by Mr. Tropper. However, next on my reading list is a book that has been much buzzed about in the blogosphere. Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez may just be the new big thing. Believe it or not, it is fiction, but based on a real place. It takes place before the Civil War at a summer resort where white men vacationed with their slave mistresses. WTF?? Yep, that's what I said. How on earth you discover that odd but true piece of historical information I will never know, but I know I'm intrigued. Until next time.

Dream Stealers

I have been watching American Idol the last few weeks. The beginning stages are my favorite. Once they get to the top bunch, then I am done. Watching A.I. has made me think a lot about the importance of dreams. Dreams are vital to a well lived life. I have known people who didn't have dreams. They were content just existing. YUCK! Not my idea of a well lived life. I have never been one to be content just existing. I have always pushed myself toward a dream. When I was a teen it was being a ballerina. I moved as far as I could with that dream. Then my dream was to be a dancer in New York. My mother passed away before that dream could be realized which changed my priorities and the trajectory of my life. I became a dance teacher and realized I had a strong passion for kids and teaching. My next dream was to be a mom. Got that checked off my list and I was left with no dreams to work towards. After much soul searching, I realized that as much as I loved books and as much as I loved writing, why not see if I could make a go of it. So here I am, having a great time, but just like the rest of us writer folk, itching to get published.

My point is that life is fuller, richer more exciting when you have a dream. Did all my dreams come true? No. Did they change? Yes. But I have always had some goal in mind that I worked for. Watching A.I., I feel for these kids. Going in with so much excitement about the possibilities that may await them. For some it works out, but of course for some not so much. I just hope that the ones that come away disappointed, it will push them to continue working towards their dream or maybe imagine a new, bigger  dream for themselves. It doesn't matter that all our dreams do not come true, what matters is that we have them. Until next time my friends, watch out for dream stealers.

Coretta Scott KIng Awards

I have been reading comments on other blogs about the Coretta Scott King Awards. The same type of comments tend to pop up. I assume they are written by folks of the caucasian persuasian. Anywho, essentially they are saying if we are all equal why have something that divides us? Excellent point my pale face friends. However, unfortunately things are not equal. Listen, I am the girl who sees life through rainbows, kittens and lolipops. I am not the one who cries racism at the drop of a hate, nor am I so delisonal as to think life is 100% equal for everyone. We have come a long way, but still have work to do. The more I get into the buisness side of this craft, I hear more and more stories that make me shake my head. It is nice for those people who have worked so hard to get the recognition they deserve. Maybe one day I will be right there with them. Check out this blog post that gives interesting stats about the awards and also the latest winners. Until next time friends.

So Much Going On

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Hope you are spending the day reflecting on his message of peace, love, equality and hope.

I have been roaming around the blogosphere and have stumbled upon a couple of great things.

The Brown Bookshelf has just announced their 28 Days Later class of 2010. It spotlights authors and illustrators of color throughout the month of Februaury. Check it out if you get a chance.

On the Reading in Color blog, the creator (a teenage girl) has taken Bloomsbury to task for once again portraying a dark-skinned character on the cover of a book as white. (Do they think we just won't notice??) You Go Little Sister!!!!

Finally, just a couple of awesome sites that kick-ass.

The Happy Nappy Bookseller 

White Readers, Meet Black Authors

So much going on. Please remeber those in Haiti and everywhere who are suffering. Peace. Until next time.

Progress

Progress kicks ass!! I just sent two of my latest manuscripts off to F1rst Pages to get polished, shined and ready for the world. I will get them back in a few weeks, hopefully without too many red marks on them. Now that they are off my hands for a little while I can focus on other things, like my agent search. I feel like I have been talking about this forever, but it is a long, stressful process. Fortunately for me, my new BFF Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich author of 8th Grade Superzero, has given me some kick-ass advice. (Don't know why, but I love the phrase kick-ass.) She actually took the time to write me a very long email with solid steps to take and resources to look into. Her guidance has taken my stress level down a notch or two. I still of course have lots of work to do, but at least now I'm not flailing about in the water with nothing to hold on to. I feel like I have been thrown a life preserver. Until next time.

Back in the Groove

I spent yesterday morning finalizing my "lesson plan" for my upcoming boys book club on Saturday. It was fun to get back in that teacher groove. I haven't been that far away from my teacher roots, with being a mom. I am always looking for topics and themes to explore with my kids. It was fun to wrap my head around the age 7 characteristics and what would be appropriate for them. With my K-2 grade group, we will be talking about winter and of course Martin Luther King, Jr. When I was teaching second grade, never fail, every year we would get to this point in the curriculum.


Me: Okay kids, we are going to talk about Martin Luther King. Does anyone know who he is?

(little sweaty seven year old hands waving madly)

Kid: (big smile on face, very proud) He freed the slaves!

Rest of kids nod in agreement.

Big confusing topic for little ones. It is a hard concept to cover in the small bite you want to feed them. They are too young to get into everything, but you have to give them enough so it makes a little sense. It's a hard balance but an important topic to atleast introduce them too. At some point they will figure out that he didn't free the slaves, but he did fight for freedom. I of course will post all about it. Wish me luck. If you are local, come out and show support. All the info is on my R.A.D. Boyz page of my website. Until next time.

Great Picture Books

I am always in search of great picture books to study for my own craft purposes, and to read with my children. Lately, I have stumbled upon some great ones that I wanted to share. Hope you will take the time to share them too.

1) Thunder-Boomer
2) The Rain Stomper
3) Mouse was Mad
4) Tough Chicks
5) Roy Makes a Car

Until next time friends.

Making It

I love routines. My new morning routine has consisted of coffee, a little yoga, a little writing and reading a chapter from The Right to Write. (Don't ask me what time I get up. It's ridiculous.) Julia Cameron is a writing goddess. I lurve her!! I want to go to there. (30 Rock anyone?) Anywho, it is an amazing book. It really puts the writing life into perspective.

The chapter I want to share with you today, is called Making It. I know we have all asked (aloud or silently) what are my chances of making it as a writer? Ms. Cameron points out that nobody ever asks " what are my chances of making it as a teacher? As a banker? As a chimney sweep? (We watch a lot of Mary Poppins at my house.) She answers the question this way:

The truth is when you want a writing career and are willing to do the work to get it, the odds work with you, not against you. This is simple metaphysical law. As Goeth advised us, " Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it- for action has magic grace and power in it."

Hallelujah, can I get a witness! It is nice to be reminded that if you are willing to do the work, so is the universe. The Right to Write is a powerful and must have book to include on your writer's bookshelf. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will continue sharing different nuggets I have learned. Keep writing! Until next time.

RA.D. Boyz Page

 Please check out a new page on my website for my boys book club. Until next time.

 www.margiesrose.com/r-a-d-boyz-book-club

Feast or Famine

Isn't it funny how life is. For awhile, I have had nothing going on. (Nothing being my writing, blogging and mothering.) And this week I have had three opportunities present themselves and now I feel super busy. R.A.D Boyz has finally found a home!! I am super excited. Now I just hope that all the people who said they were interested in participating in my book club for boys will actually show up. I have always had that fear of having a party and standing in the middle of the room alone in my taffeta dress crying into my cup of punch. You know that little inner critic is always there to tell you "no one likes you, you'll fail." I heard someone describe the inner critic as that little dude from Lord of the Rings. Sounds about right to me. Gotta work harder at quieting him down. I have also taken on the role of calendar editor for SCBWI-Carolinas group. Also very exciting. I like being in the mix. Things of course always come in three's so yesterday my Sunday School teacher asked me to be coordinator for our class.

"Attention Universe: I am officially booked solid. Thank you very much for these opportunities. Unless the next thing is a publishing contract, please give the next task to someone else. Unless it is something really cool, then bring it to me." Wish me luck with all my busyness. Until next time.

Book Review: Marcelo in the Real World

So happy to have started the new year with this lovely treasure. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork, is a mesmerizing view into the life of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome. Although this is fiction, the character was so real and honest that I just wanted to invite him over for a chat.

Marcelo is about to begin his senior year of high school when his father announces that he needs to spend some time in the "real world". The real world being his law office for the summer. The only thing I knew about Asperger's before reading this book was the sterotypical, theatrical, make em laugh stuff you see on t.v. (Boston Legal anyone?) Marcelo is a boy that hears music no one else can. He refers to himself in the third person and is just trying to understand the very confusing and scary world around him. Fortunately, he meets Jasmine who takes him under her wing. Unfortunately he meets Wendell who we know right off the bat is one of those pretty boy troublemakers. (Girls we can smell em coming a mile a way can't we?)
Will Marcelo make it in the real world? Find out for yourselves friends. This is an absolutely delicious book. Take a bite. Until next time.

Something Else To Chew On

 Someone else out there is feeling my pain. Check out one of my newly discovered blogs that kick-ass.

blackeyedsusans.blogspot.com

Talk Amongst Yourselves

Family has been sick so I haven't been able to post. I will pose a question for you to ponder until I am back on my feet.

Does anyone ever really get noticed and published from the slush pile? I don't know, you tell me. Until next time.