This summer hasn’t been much fun. I suppose that some day I’ll look back and think about it differently, but today all I’m obsessing about is what I have yet to do to promote “East Garrison,” what I’ve already done and can’t “un-do,” and what I could and should be doing to get the word out about my book.
When I first started writing the story and developing the characters, I had no idea how much work it’d be after it was done, and that I was in the midst of the actual “fun” part…writing it. I imagine most of those who haven’t been through the publishing grind go through this, yet it’s like having children. No one told me how hard it would be every day. And so, this venture has given me an education—one which I didn’t want when I started on this road. (I’ve already paid my dues in college.) I thought the adventure would be like the biographies I’ve read about my favorite writers from the early 20th century. But that era is long gone. Being a hermit writer doesn’t work today, unless your desire is to write a diary.
In this era, in order to succeed in the publishing world, you must be good at marketing (a fancy word for selling), and promotion of your SELF. Not only that, but people don’t want to take a chance on a writer who hasn’t already hit the BIG time. In my experience during this summer of economic hell, the general public would rather spend three bucks on a corn cob on a stick, than ten for a book written by some unknown. And so, the dilemma continues. Just like the rich getting richer, the writers who’ve already made it keep cranking out their formula books, and the small time artists go on struggling, like the salmon swimming upstream to spawn, and eventually give up. Supporting your local artists is important.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
GODDESSES AND CHILDBIRTH
Roberto Canessa said, “Make plans to live a hundred years, but you may die at any moment.” He survived the Andes plane crash in 1972. His story was made into a very successful book and movie called “Alive.”
This is the underlying premise of East Garrison: A pregnant woman, Tracy Dade, about to give birth to her first child, is making plans, hoping the best for her baby, but she’s worried too. All new mothers are terrified about their child’s future, amongst other obvious things. Tracy wants to be tough and deliver a healthy baby. Her friend, Angela, tells her that women have been giving birth for thousands of years without the use of pain medication. She gives Tracy a book, Heart of the Goddess, and shows her the pages about Goddess Tlazolteotl, who is fearless, posed naked in a full squat, with a baby diving out of her. This Goddess of fertility is the epitome of strength to Tracy. She wants to be like Tlazolteotl and tries to emulate Her courage by surrounding herself with images of strong women, but inside Tracy knows that she won’t be able to do it. She gives up without even trying.
When I had my children, I tried to give birth without pain medication. I thought that was very important. Since then I’ve learned that birth is but a moment in time, and is quickly forgotten afterwards. My children, now 9 and 10, are healthy and happy. There were no negative effects from the epidurals I had when giving birth, but I had a choice to have pain medication (at least the second time). The first time I didn’t because it was a cesarean birth. With my second child I tried to give birth “naturally” and couldn’t relax through the labor pains. My body wouldn’t do what it was supposed to do while I was stressed out by labor pains. Once given an epidural, I relaxed and gave birth. But I had a choice. For thousands of years, women did not have that option.
In East Garrison, Tracy is forced into having to give birth without pain medication and no hospital, AND she survives. Actually, she does more than that, but I don’t want to spoil the story for those who haven’t read the book. The point is that we are all capable of doing more than we think we can do. There is strength in adversity.
I don’t think many people will find themselves in Tracy’s predicament. So, remember ladies, when having a baby there are just four words you need to know:
I WANT MY EPIDURAL.
This is the underlying premise of East Garrison: A pregnant woman, Tracy Dade, about to give birth to her first child, is making plans, hoping the best for her baby, but she’s worried too. All new mothers are terrified about their child’s future, amongst other obvious things. Tracy wants to be tough and deliver a healthy baby. Her friend, Angela, tells her that women have been giving birth for thousands of years without the use of pain medication. She gives Tracy a book, Heart of the Goddess, and shows her the pages about Goddess Tlazolteotl, who is fearless, posed naked in a full squat, with a baby diving out of her. This Goddess of fertility is the epitome of strength to Tracy. She wants to be like Tlazolteotl and tries to emulate Her courage by surrounding herself with images of strong women, but inside Tracy knows that she won’t be able to do it. She gives up without even trying.
When I had my children, I tried to give birth without pain medication. I thought that was very important. Since then I’ve learned that birth is but a moment in time, and is quickly forgotten afterwards. My children, now 9 and 10, are healthy and happy. There were no negative effects from the epidurals I had when giving birth, but I had a choice to have pain medication (at least the second time). The first time I didn’t because it was a cesarean birth. With my second child I tried to give birth “naturally” and couldn’t relax through the labor pains. My body wouldn’t do what it was supposed to do while I was stressed out by labor pains. Once given an epidural, I relaxed and gave birth. But I had a choice. For thousands of years, women did not have that option.
In East Garrison, Tracy is forced into having to give birth without pain medication and no hospital, AND she survives. Actually, she does more than that, but I don’t want to spoil the story for those who haven’t read the book. The point is that we are all capable of doing more than we think we can do. There is strength in adversity.
I don’t think many people will find themselves in Tracy’s predicament. So, remember ladies, when having a baby there are just four words you need to know:
I WANT MY EPIDURAL.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
MICHAEL JACKSON'S FASCINATION WITH NAZIS
I picked up a copy of a national gossip magazine, which I never do. You know, one of those filled with pictures of celebrities doing their thing. For weeks, most magazine covers have been of Michael Jackson, and I look at the headlines, and may thumb through a copy while waiting at the check stand, but never buy one. BUT this particular mag mentioned MJ's fascination with Nazi memorabilia, so I had to take a look and didn't have time to read it before the cashier began ringing up my groceries.
Funny, I never thought any "normal" person would be interested in that kind of dark stuff, but surprisingly, according to this mag, he was. If what I read is true, he kept this dirty little secret private, but his uniform-style dress was supposedly inspired by Nazi uniforms. Apparently, he was obsessed with the power Hitler held over people. MJ stashed his treasures away from most people. I wonder if this collection was authentic or replica, and if the later, did any of it come from Jack's business way back when? It's pure speculation because I will never have access to this collection, but Jack was the first to reproduce Nazi memorabilia. Much of what's still out there floating around is Jacks's. Only he could tell originals from fakes. Jack was the greatest fake-maker.
J & S Military Supply in Moss Landing (also in East Garrison) is one of the places I remember going to as a young girl with my dad (Jack) to peddle his “militaria.” The place is still there along highway 1. I decided to check it out and pick up some camo pants. In the 1970s and early 80s the front counter display was filled with Nazi memorabilia, which they now call “foreign military” and keep in a small stand alone case by the front door. It’s no longer the predominant attraction in the store.
I stood at this miniature display, examining the Nazi patches, medals, pins, etc., almost all of which I’d handled so many years ago. How many orders used to come in for iron crosses, Hitler Youth pins, and Waffen SS patches? Hundreds, even thousands. My dad made so much money; he hid it in shoe boxes, and eventually Swiss bank accounts. And then, like I wrote in East Garrison, he pissed it away on booze and sex, lost everything he owned, except for his van, which he lived in for over a decade.
As I leaned in closer to the glass separating me from the merchandise, I remembered all the times I’d been in that store and many stores just like it. How I’d go to gun shows with my dad, and walk amongst the primarily male attendants. I have to admit I loved the stuff, even though I still can’t identify most of it. There is something about the uber masculine military that makes a person feel strong, and isn’t that what we all want to feel?
MJ was no different.
Funny, I never thought any "normal" person would be interested in that kind of dark stuff, but surprisingly, according to this mag, he was. If what I read is true, he kept this dirty little secret private, but his uniform-style dress was supposedly inspired by Nazi uniforms. Apparently, he was obsessed with the power Hitler held over people. MJ stashed his treasures away from most people. I wonder if this collection was authentic or replica, and if the later, did any of it come from Jack's business way back when? It's pure speculation because I will never have access to this collection, but Jack was the first to reproduce Nazi memorabilia. Much of what's still out there floating around is Jacks's. Only he could tell originals from fakes. Jack was the greatest fake-maker.
J & S Military Supply in Moss Landing (also in East Garrison) is one of the places I remember going to as a young girl with my dad (Jack) to peddle his “militaria.” The place is still there along highway 1. I decided to check it out and pick up some camo pants. In the 1970s and early 80s the front counter display was filled with Nazi memorabilia, which they now call “foreign military” and keep in a small stand alone case by the front door. It’s no longer the predominant attraction in the store.
I stood at this miniature display, examining the Nazi patches, medals, pins, etc., almost all of which I’d handled so many years ago. How many orders used to come in for iron crosses, Hitler Youth pins, and Waffen SS patches? Hundreds, even thousands. My dad made so much money; he hid it in shoe boxes, and eventually Swiss bank accounts. And then, like I wrote in East Garrison, he pissed it away on booze and sex, lost everything he owned, except for his van, which he lived in for over a decade.
As I leaned in closer to the glass separating me from the merchandise, I remembered all the times I’d been in that store and many stores just like it. How I’d go to gun shows with my dad, and walk amongst the primarily male attendants. I have to admit I loved the stuff, even though I still can’t identify most of it. There is something about the uber masculine military that makes a person feel strong, and isn’t that what we all want to feel?
MJ was no different.
Friday, July 10, 2009
FUBAR
A writer friend went to BEA (Book Expo of America) a few years ago and brought back a souvenir. She’d saved it for just the right person. I’d been wondering what it possibly could be since she mentioned it to me at Operation Tie a Yellow Ribbon. Yesterday I got her package--a dog tag with “FUBAR” on one side and “WWII slang” on the other side. For those of you who don’t know military acronyms, “FUBAR” means Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.
I work for the military and should have immediately known what it meant, but my memory isn’t what it used to be. Once I realized, I hung it on my rearview mirror. Although I’m not what you’d call a follower of rules, I can relate to FUBAR in more ways than its original intention, which is basically to be quickly understood in difficult circumstances.
I also have an appreciation and admiration for soldiers and what they do. Somewhere along the line I must have picked up my father’s fascination with military uniforms and memorabilia. It was so easy when I had to wear a uniform to work. In a way it’s nice to fit in, like a herd of indistinguishable cattle. Where I work there’s a dress code that forbids jeans (except on dress down Fridays), and that’s just about all I own. In fact, not too long ago my boss came in to tell me that I couldn’t wear “those kind of jeans.” It was a Friday. I was wearing my “holey” designer jeans where the holes are placed strategically to look cool. So, when my boss said that, well, it kind of made me laugh because those holes cost me a couple hundred bucks. In many ways it’d be much better for me to have a uniform to wear to work.
If you’re curious about other interesting military (slang) acronyms, here’s a list:
DILLIGAS - Do I Look Like I Give A Shit
DILLIGAF - Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck
FIDO - Fuck It-Drive On
FIFI - Fuck It-Fly It
FNG - Fucking New Guy (used for all new people in a squad)
FUBISO - Fuck You Buddy, I'm Shipping Out
FUMTU - Fucked Up More Than Usual
JAFO - Just Another Fucking Observer (guy who sits in the back of the vehicle)
JANFU - Joint Army-Navy Fuck Up
LLMF - Lost Like a Mother Fucker
SNAFU - Situation Normal: All Fucked Up
SNAFUBAR - Situation Normal: All Fucked Up Beyond All Repair/Recognition/Reason
SOL - Shit Out of Luck
SRDH - Shit Rolls Down Hill
SSDD - Same Shit, Different Day
SUSFU - Situation Unchanged, Still Fucked Up
TARFU - Things Are Really Fucked Up, or Totally and Royally Fucked Up
Charlie Foxtrot - From the phonetic alphabet letters C and F, meaning Cluster Fuck
I work for the military and should have immediately known what it meant, but my memory isn’t what it used to be. Once I realized, I hung it on my rearview mirror. Although I’m not what you’d call a follower of rules, I can relate to FUBAR in more ways than its original intention, which is basically to be quickly understood in difficult circumstances.
I also have an appreciation and admiration for soldiers and what they do. Somewhere along the line I must have picked up my father’s fascination with military uniforms and memorabilia. It was so easy when I had to wear a uniform to work. In a way it’s nice to fit in, like a herd of indistinguishable cattle. Where I work there’s a dress code that forbids jeans (except on dress down Fridays), and that’s just about all I own. In fact, not too long ago my boss came in to tell me that I couldn’t wear “those kind of jeans.” It was a Friday. I was wearing my “holey” designer jeans where the holes are placed strategically to look cool. So, when my boss said that, well, it kind of made me laugh because those holes cost me a couple hundred bucks. In many ways it’d be much better for me to have a uniform to wear to work.
If you’re curious about other interesting military (slang) acronyms, here’s a list:
DILLIGAS - Do I Look Like I Give A Shit
DILLIGAF - Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck
FIDO - Fuck It-Drive On
FIFI - Fuck It-Fly It
FNG - Fucking New Guy (used for all new people in a squad)
FUBISO - Fuck You Buddy, I'm Shipping Out
FUMTU - Fucked Up More Than Usual
JAFO - Just Another Fucking Observer (guy who sits in the back of the vehicle)
JANFU - Joint Army-Navy Fuck Up
LLMF - Lost Like a Mother Fucker
SNAFU - Situation Normal: All Fucked Up
SNAFUBAR - Situation Normal: All Fucked Up Beyond All Repair/Recognition/Reason
SOL - Shit Out of Luck
SRDH - Shit Rolls Down Hill
SSDD - Same Shit, Different Day
SUSFU - Situation Unchanged, Still Fucked Up
TARFU - Things Are Really Fucked Up, or Totally and Royally Fucked Up
Charlie Foxtrot - From the phonetic alphabet letters C and F, meaning Cluster Fuck
Monday, July 6, 2009
MEET & GREET
I’ve set up several book signing events and readings throughout the summer, including one at the National Steinbeck Center, probably the first Friday in September during Old Town Salinas’s Art Walk.
I’m also working on a schedule of readings at some of the branches of Monterey County Free Libraries, to whom I’ve donated copies of “East Garrison.”
On the 14th of August, I’ll be at Luminata Books & Gifts at 7:30 giving a talk, reading, and signing. This event will focus more on the Divine Feminine aspect of “East Garrison.”
All of these events will be posted on my website soon. I hope to MEET YOU at one of them.
I’m also working on a schedule of readings at some of the branches of Monterey County Free Libraries, to whom I’ve donated copies of “East Garrison.”
On the 14th of August, I’ll be at Luminata Books & Gifts at 7:30 giving a talk, reading, and signing. This event will focus more on the Divine Feminine aspect of “East Garrison.”
All of these events will be posted on my website soon. I hope to MEET YOU at one of them.
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