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Dancing on Mars ( published by All Things That Matter Press)—is available for Nook at Barnes and Noble online and at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audio. To check out reviews or order your own version: http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Mars-Lucinda-Shirley/product-reviews/0985006617/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


One reader says, "Dancing on Mars is a genre-bender, mixing interview, memoir and original poems. It's a feast, not an appetizer!"

Here's how author Cassie Premo Steele describes it: "They say 'the truth shall set you free,' and here it is: a truth-telling memoir about growing up in the small-town, segregated South—politics, sex and religion; relationship, marriage and motherhood; loss, healing, feminism and enlightenment; and the bare beauty of a life by the water's edge. . . ."

There are also some fascinating insights from other women on the subject of living married and single lifestyles— and a sprinkling of original poems to amplify relevant prose.

One reviewer says, "This is EveryWoman's book—every age, every experience. You will laugh, cry and learn through this fascinating, honest and courageous journey to one woman's truth, but you won't put it down." A few wise men have enjoyed it and learned more about women.

You'll find a book trailer here and photos from the hometown in Dancing on Mars. I'll be posting comments and sharing book reviews, writing about themes presented in the book, and sometimes commenting on the events of the day. Humor will be in the mix; it's a high-value aspect of my life.

Please click "follow" to receive new posts from this blog. Also, you can click the Facebook "like" icon if you like what you read. And there's an option to "recommend on Google." Promotional possibilities abound. Would you kindly visit my Facebook author page and "like" it? http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucinda-Shirley-author-Dancing-on-Mars/189083217857282.

Writers need readers almost as much as we need oxygen, so major thanks for being here. I'll be happy to hear from you!

Lucinda

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Inspired by Susan Shapiro

The Dixie Dove shared Susan Shapiro's recent NYT article about making the reader worry you're not okay; in fact, she requires her students to write what she calls "the humiliation essay"

Shapiro says: 

Over 20 years of teaching, I have made "the humiliation essay" my signature assignment. It encourages students to shed vanity and pretension and relive an embarrassing moment that makes them look silly, fearful, fragile or naked.  You can't remain removed and dignified and ace it. I do promise my students, though, that through the art of writing, they can transform their worst experience into the most beautiful. I found that those who cried while reading their piece aloud often later saw it in print. I believe that's because they were coming from the right place - not the hip, but the heart.

 

This interesting piece helped me see, clearly, that I didn't tell as much as I could have—should have if the objective was to sell books and make readers want more.   I have miles to go to reach the point where I care more about my work than about hurting or humiliating others.  Sadly, some of the people I protect aren't nearly as protective of my feelings!  Shapiro adds these words which get a standing ovation from me:

 

This brings me to my one caveat: while readers will applaud your brave, tumultuous disclosures, your relatives won't. The first piece you write that your family hates means you found your voice, I warn my classes. If you want to be popular with your parents and siblings, try cookbooks.

  

Now that gem inspires me. Next time I write first-person nonfiction, I'm hoping the relatives all hate it.  Some of them judged DANCING ON MARS and tried to make me a reservation in Hell; they enjoyed feeling superior.  Next time my goal is for them to hate it!  Maybe I'll even plug them in to some memories of humiliation and self-loathing.


Susan Shapiro's piece was from the New York Times opinionator blog, 12/31/12.  Apologies that the link I had doesn't work.  No clue why.  Didn't want to scrap this post because of that shortcoming.  I'm sure you'll find it if you want to read it all.  Cheers!

 

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