About This Blog

Welcome!

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

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Review at Goodreads

Just discovered a review of Dancing on Mars, beautifully written by a woman named Mary Clark.  http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/582518519.


There's an opportunity to rate the book on the same page as the review, so if you've read it, I hope you'll rate it.


Thanks and keep dancing your own dance, wherever you are!



Sunday, June 9, 2013

Generous Words

I intended to share this much earlier.   Sent by a young woman-friend who's an excellent writer and admirable community activist in Ohio.


What an amazing creation your work is! You are a beautiful writer, and your subject matter is so meaningful and timeless. Everything you have written in this book has been done with such kindness, such grace, such respect, and such honesty. I know many women of many ages who would love to read it. You are an amazing talent. Don't stop creating and sharing it with the world!    ~  MRD

Morning Musing

(Image on Facebook/via Pete Sercer)

This thought touches on a primary Dancing on Mars theme.   Authenticity is the key to being "comfortable in our own skin."  Getting to that point was sometimes as difficult as walking in those heels would be today!   

 

Sunday confession:  There are still times I care a little bit when someone doesn't like me.   But it's a lot easier to accept.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Speaking the Truth

(Image from Asheville Yoga/Facebook)

 

My "voice was shaking" as I wrote certain parts of Dancing on Mars.  It's especially challenging to tell hard truths sometimes when people I love—or have loved— are part of the story.  And I couldn't be sure how they would react to my sharing my story and their part in it with the world.  I weighed all the parts that made my "voice shake."  I did that by asking myself (1) Is it necessary for me to tell this part of my story?  (2) Am I speaking from my own perspective rather than guessing someone else's point of view here? and (3)   Am I being kind in my truth-telling?    If I could answer those questions in the affirmative, whatever was in question became part of the book.  

 

I hope you enjoy some excellent reading this summer.  And if you enjoyed Dancing on Mars, I hope you'll recommend it when friends ask for book suggestions.  It's a good one to take on vacation.  And it was recently released as an audio book (Amazon, Audible).   It's also available in paperback and Kindle at Amazon and Nook at Barnes and Nobel.