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.

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.  

Memorial Day 2013

On the brink of Memorial Day I'm thinking about my father's good fortune and the tragic fortunes of so many war heroes.

 

I tell this story in Dancing on Mars: Serving in the Navy during WW II, Papa was scheduled to ship out when an ear infection intervened. His eardrum burst, and his orders were cancelled. The ship departed San Diego on schedule and shortly afterwards came under attack; there were no survivors.

 

My father must have experienced some survivor guilt as many humans do; he definitely felt grief about his mates who were killed. And he was always grateful his own life had been spared.

 

I think of the men on that ship and of my hometown friends who fought in Vietnam and never came home. Every Memorial Day, I'm thankful for my father's long life—and I feel gratitude for all the courageous men and women who have lost their precious lives in the service of our Country.

Audio Book Released!

Now in audio!  Amazon/audible.  I learned about the release yesterday when All Things That Matter Press posted it on Facebook.  At one place on Amazon it correctly specifies that I'm the author and Frances Fulmer is narrating.  On the page that has been dedicated to print and kindle versions of the book, however, it says:  by Lucinda Shirley and Frances Fulmer.  As if we both wrote it.  That's the place where readers can see or write reviews, too.

I'm told that's the norm for by-line presentation with producer-created books.  It seems it wouldn't be a bad idea to change the norm so it's apparent who spent over a year writing the book and who is simply reading it aloud.  Of course I'm happy for readers to know the author is not the person reading the audio version.   I hope you enjoy the book, whatever version you choose! 

Helen Keller Blisters Book Burners

In "The Vault" at Slate you can find Helen Keller's "blistering letter to book-burning German students."  Keller's grit went far beyond the admirable courage it took simply to live an active life without sight or hearing.  Be reminded of who she was as a woman in this fascinating piece. 
 

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2013/05/16/helen_keller_her_scathing_letter_to_german_students_planning_to_burn_her.html

Ready, set, write!

 It's a wonderful thing to tell and share our stories.  I enjoy encouraging and supporting people who want to write a life legacy as a gift to loved ones and friends.  That's what my Writing Coach hat is for. 

(Image from Facebook via life-redefined)