TSS Week 13

I was mercilessly teased by a colleague for this, but I loved Jane Eyre. I thought it was really beautiful. Yes, it was romantic and that turns off some people, but I like a good romance every now and then, especially when it is done so well as this. Besides, the novel also addressed issues of faith and religion, social and economic class divisions and conscience. Not only that, but Jane and Mr. Rochester are such finely drawn characters. Everyone else, while necessary to the plot, is utterly peripheral when you recognize the power of these two individuals in personality, passion and conviction.



This past week I started reading Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's On Life After Death. I wanted something to answer my nagging question of "Where has my loved one gone?" This book answers that question. Of course, it only contains one of many theories about this, and I am not sure how much I believe and how much I do not, but it is a nice read anyway. Dr. Ross references many patients that she had who came back to life after having been dead, as well as experiences with "ghosts" (for lack of a better term; certainly not one she uses, though) who return with messages and comfort. Again, I am highly skeptical but sometimes you just want to tell yourself that something is true to erase the uncertainty.



Finally, I am reading Tartuffe for the first time through DailyLit emails. I am a big fan of that website and service! The play is good so far. Not much to say as I have only read a few scenes, but it has captured my interest.

I have not worked on my novel in months. Since my loss I just lost all desire and will. I have continued to write, but mainly in the form of articles and blog posts (speaking of which, I have a new gig over at HalfHourMeals.com).

Anyway, recently my characters have been trying to get my attention. I think about them and want to return to the novel, though I have not as of this writing. I suppose after such a long break I will have to just jump in.

The Writer Moderates

The Voices of Addiction event was fantastic - so much so that the manager of BookWoman has asked me to return and coordinate a series of them. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make it a success!

I was extremely impressed with the panelists and would love to do what I can to plug them and their work.

Carol Ann Conway is the author of Born into the Enemy Camp.

Jacquelyn Covington is the author of Who? An Addict Like Me who works with Street Works in Nashville, TN to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to provide services to those infected.

B. Gayle Boles is a psychologist and children's book author with a very inspiring blog called "A Courageous Life is an Adventure." (She has also published in Della Donna :)

TSS Week 12

I breezed right through this novel while on vacation and really enjoyed it. I am a fan of biblical historical fiction that is written from a humanistic or secular perspective. Having loved "The Red Tent," I picked up this book hoping it would be similar. It was (though I give it one less star because "The Red Tent" is simply untouchable).

"Only Human" is a novel about Abram and Sarai, more popularly known as Abraham and Sarah from the Old Testament. Diski alt...more Only Human has been on the bookshelf for years. I bought it for about a buck at a used bookstore and just never got around to it. On a whim, I started reading it last week and breezed right through it.

I am a fan of biblical historical fiction that is written from a humanistic or secular perspective. In fact, I bought this novel because it reminded me of The Red Tent, one of my all-time favorites. Only Human focuses on the story of Abram and Sarai, more popularly known as Abraham and Sarah from the Old Testament. The author, Jenny Diski, alternates between an unnamed 3rd person omniscient narrator to God's first person narration. God is an interesting character and, to tell you the truth, not all that likeable. In portraying him this way, Diski flipped the story on its head, which is part of what I loved about Diamant's retelling of a biblical story.

My copy is available on BookMooch if anyone is interested in having it.






I have been reading Jane Eyre through DailyLit emails for months now, but I am finally towards the end. I see that my friend who continually raves about the novel was completely right. I am in love. I will write more when I finish it!






Finally, I have begun William S. Buck's translation of The Ramayana. Ever since reading his fantastic translation of The Mahabharata for a literature course, I have been wanting to read this one. Though I am currently reading several books, I decided while I was at the library that if it was on the shelf, in stock, it would be a sign that I was meant to read it. The computer said it was but it was not in its place. After scouring all of the return carts, I found it. Does that still count as fate telling me to read it? :)

For those of you who like inspirational writing that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, you might enjoy checking out the 302designs blog. If you recall, I wrote about this company for Nü Magazine. Upon meeting David and Abdon, I was really impressed by the fact that they value positive messaging and inspiration as much as they value fashion and business. This is why I continually write for their blog, along with other talented writers.

Come One, Come All

I am happy to announce to those of you in the Austin area that I have put together a special event at BookWoman that is coming up next weekend. Here is the information:

BookWoman
5501 N. Lamar Blvd. #A-105
Austin, TX 78751
Tel: 512-472-2785

www.ebookwoman.com

SUNDAY, July 20, 4pm
:: Panel Discussion :: Voices of Addiction :: Jacqueline Covington, Carol Conway, B. Gayle Boyes - moderated by April Boland ::

This presentation will focus on the harmful effects of addiction on women, both directly and indirectly. Two of the panelists are published authors on the subject along with a long-time substance abuse counselor who works for the Texas Dept. of State Health Services.

Jacquelyn Ann Covington is the author of Who? An Addict Like Me! in which she shares her true story of the journey down the hopeless path of addiction, and the remarkable Magdalene organization that helped her find her way back -- truly a travelogue of the trip to hell and back. She also is heavily involved in StreetWorks, an organization in Nashville that deals with the prevention and counseling of those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Carol Ann Conway has done extensive marketing and public speaking on behalf of women. Her seminars for "Women in Transition" reached out to affluent women who found themselves divorced with children after a lifetime of wedlock. She is also the author of the memoir, "Born into the Enemy Camp."

B. Gayle Boles has been a psychotherapist for close to thirty years, having spent the last twenty years working in substance abuse counseling in private treatment centers and adult prisons, and at the Texas Youth Commission. She now works for the Texas Department of State Health Services. She has recently written a fantasy novel for 8-12 year olds entitled "Dodging Sheila," and she is currently working on a mystery novel.

April D. Boland is a writer and editor originally from New York City. Her work has been published in the Austin American-Statesman, the Feminist Review and various magazines and journals. She recently wrote a special report for the Good Life Magazine on domestic violence n Austin, and she is currently working on a second one about sexual violence. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Della Donna, a webzine for women.