Every 4th of July my faith in our country is restored when I see all the American flags and banners of red, white and blue and hear the patriotic tunes. It leads me to believe there are many in our country who have the same American spirit of faith our forebearers had when they built this new country.
So, tomorrow on America’s birthday, celebrate the independence we have as a nation and all it stands for. As President Herbert Hoover once said, “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.”
I want to enter into the world of L.M. Montgomery. She’s an author whose home and whole universe existed on Prince Edward Island in Canada, one of the places on my life’s “want to see list.” In her Green Gables books, Lucy Maude Montgomery’s imagined characters and her descriptions of an idyllic, bucolic real place opens up a view of tranquility and serenity not found in many places today. It is brought to her readers through her apt, uncomplicated writing. I like her penchant for simplicity and wholesomeness found in life and nature. Fans of L.M. Montgomery return to her book series time and time again for escape.
Lucy Maude Montgomery mentions the good company she finds among her dreams and her visions which as a writer I can relate to through penning my cozy Neighbor to Neighbor fictional series which includes Sew the Heart and Heart of Community. Someday I’d like to bring book #3 to my readers but, my visions for my self-created community within those books keeps changing and as a writer I am mindful of the fact that the “words we use, shapes the culture we create.”
It’s not what the world holds for you. It’s what you bring to it. ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery
I am feeling most appreciative for time spent writing a memoir for an inspirational woman. As her memoirist, it was my duty to get at the heart of her life story and I hope I have adequately done so. There is a certain level of trust which goes along with this honor and privilege.
Yesterday one proof copy of the book arrived on my doorstep, which will give me one last chance to go over it before it goes to print. Hopefully, between myself and the editor, we have found all the oops between the dots and the dashes.
My client’s request for privacy is important to both of us, so the publication will not be sold in the market place, but, I’d like to give you a little insight into her story. So, I will share the summary which appears on the back cover.
My takeaway from her narrative is exactly as John Dewey stated it, “…education is life itself.” I gained insight into how very important it is to keep learning new things and growing throughout one’s lifetime.
Today marks the very near conclusion of a writing project I have been working with a client on for about two years. The manuscript has just gone to the printer for a proof copy. It is a publication which you will not be able to find through internet searches because it was written to not to gain fame or draw attention, rather to share a retrospective look at one’s life with a select group of people – family, friends and personal connections.
The advantages of independent publishing led my client to chose this option because she has come to understand after a long life, the words of Robert T. Kiyosak who once said, “You and only you are responsible for your life choices and decisions.” These wise words are reflected throughout many of my client’s personal recollections.
Independent publishing allows for a book to be published and sold (or not) perhaps more uniquely and creatively without regard to certain traditional publishing standards. I am an advocate for it’s flexibility and I thoroughly enjoyed working with my client on this independent publishing project. I am most grateful for the time spent together.
My client and I look forward to holding the book in our hands and celebrating together when we receive it.
Good Morning from my Grandmother’s 1920’s Spinet Writing Desk. I inherited it, but unfortunately, I didn’t inherit the story behind it. Why? Sadly, I didn’t ask. My grandmother was born in January 1900 and married in the early 1920’s, so I can only surmise it was given to my grandparents as a wedding present. She enjoyed it all ninety-nine and one-half years until her passing.
It was only recently, after having moved it, I was able to get the writing surface to slide out. A drawer knob or two are missing but, she is solid as a rock, with her shapely legs. Not bad for an ole girl who is 100 years of age. I meant to clean her up before taking this photo, but then I forgot. Oh well, her imperfections give her character and in my opinion, a rich patina adds to her value and it is better than being all polished up.
Every antique and painting has a provenance or story behind it. So next time you are wandering an art gallery or museum and the artist happens to be in attendance, don’t forget to ask about the painting, sculpture, mixed-media piece that you find enchanting, enthralling, exhilarating, captivating or controversial. Backstories are what allows us see fragments of an artist’s soul. Every item that sits on my antique writing desk has a short story, too, including the “Mona” lavender clivia which I foraged from an old abandoned lot yesterday.
Traditions have always been important to me. They are part of the culture of a society and a family. So, as I have every Easter since my award-winning memoir was published, I will share a chapter of my book for your listening enjoyment. Easter brings beautiful memories of my childhood.
“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams.”
Yes! We communicate much through narratives. Therein lies their value. Short stories have been used throughout history as a means of communication. The first American short story published is said to be “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” By Washington Irving. It appeared in The Sketch Book in 1819-1820.
A few Saturday’s ago was celebrate Independent Bookstore Day. In many states COVID-19 has restricted the opening of brick and mortar stores over the past 6 months but regulations have relaxed just a little allowing a celebration with social distancing. Many bookstores held sidewalk celebrations.
As I participated in a book signing in Bel Air, MD I couldn’t help but think how selling books by e-commerce and also the development of electronic books (e-books) and audio books were made for a time such as this. Had it not been for the vast changes in the publishing industry over the past 12 or 15 years, bookselling would have come to a complete and utter screaming hault during these challenging times.
It felt so good to be able to participate in a bookselling event and to meet and greet other authors who share a passion for writing.
Here’s a few images of Independent Bookstore Day in 2020! Books are already being written about this unique time in history.
All Things Fulfilling 