lucindashirleydancingonmars: August 2012

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

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Thought for Today

from Calming Your Inner Storm via Facebook.

A New Review

EHH

This review is from: Dancing on Mars (Paperback)

Lucinda Shirley's Dancing on Mars is part autobiography and part search for answers to a meaningful life. It's also a book about relationships. She includes a number of interviews on marriage and the single life. I especially enjoyed the biography section. The honesty and forthrightness of her story jump off the page! It is a serious book but is filled with all sorts of humor and some really funny dry wit. Many times while reading it, I found myself suddenly laughing out loud. She takes on religion too. Her ideas about religion and the impact that early conservative Christian teachings had on her life concluding with her now robust and mature spirituality are intriguing. If you are inclined to look for new insights into living life fully, Dancing on Mars is a must read.

Monday, August 20, 2012

The Gift of Choosing

Found on Facebook via Begin Within; artist: Robin Meade.

Lovely thought, isn't it?

At bedtime on a rainy Monday in August, I make a promise to mySelf: I will remember this! And I will remember there's always a choice. Even when I'm not too enthusiastic about any of the options, I can choose.

Turning out the light now with the image of this glorious purple-red-turquoise bird behind my eyes. Maybe it's the Bird of Happy Tomorrows. Sweet dreams, y'all.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Three-Letter Word

I was surprised to learn of Helen Gurley Brown's passing. She seemed immortal somehow, didn't she? She was an inspiration to a lot of women and a role model for me, especially in her last couple of decades—tango lessons in her 80's, still working up until her death the other day, at 90.

In hindsight, I regret not giving her due credit in Dancing on Mars, the "Notes from a Recovering Victorian" chapter. Ms. Brown and Cosmopolitan certainly impacted this recovering Victorian—even though some articles were beyond my small-town level of sophistication. But the revelations I found between the Cosmo covers were filed away somewhere in my brain or my Being. They were "filed away" until needed for practical application or to help me feel better about myself as a woman. Truth be told, the purpose served was most often the latter. Having those pages affirm that s-e-x, in and of itself, wasn't "dirty" at all (as we often heard it depicted in jokes, in high school and beyond was huge. Cosmo gave self-respecting women permission to say "sex" without apologizing, permission even to like it.

Ms Helen, you will be gratefully remembered by a countless women AND men, who feel sexier because of you and your life's work. You richly deserve peace, although the thought of you resting is beyond my imagination. Thank you for being the pioneer we needed all those years.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

"Renewed faith in my gender"

Sharing another perspective on Dancing on Mars from an Amazon reviewer. Thank you for sharing the book and reviews with your friends and contacts! I get by with a lot of help from my friends! Sending out love to you all this morning.

Renewed faith in my gender, July 20, 2012

BulaB -

This review is from: Dancing on Mars (Paperback)

After a couple of years of dealing with "mean girls" in the work environment, a friend shared "Dancing on Mars" with me. It reminded me that one's personal journey, ripe with life lessons, will be replete with bumps and potholes along the way but to not let them be the defining factors of the journey. The sharing of Shirley's and others stories helped to heal much of the hurt I was feeling, and to remember and treasure all of my many women friends and "sisters" who are a part of my circle of life. This is a great book to share with others and makes for thoughtful conversation.....a good selection for a book club for sure.

Enjoy!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Sharing Reviews

A dear friend who lives part-time in Pennsylvania and part-time in Colorado has given Dancing on Mars as a gift to several of her friends in both places! She let me know that one of them posted a review, and here it is. I hope to meet her one of these days and say thanks.

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Sitting Down With A Friend, July 30, 2012

V.F.R. - This review is from: Dancing on Mars (Paperback)

If you'd like to measure your personal growth against someone who has been there, done that, read Lucinda Shirley's journey toward inner peace and contentment.
Reading Dancing on Mars is like sitting down with a friend and talking about topics that every woman reflects on for herself, but checks her impressions against others that she likes and respects. You might share events that sent you down one path or another; you might confer about allowing yourself to decorate whatever space you call home to suit yourself. You'd no doubt talk about religion versus spirituality, and about places, authors, and personalities that have influenced your lives.
No moralizing, no lurid tragedies, just good companionship. This is what you find while gliding through the pages of Dancing On Mars. You may even find yourself inspired to recount your own story of acceptance and celebration, of becoming who you are, of being yourself.

* * *

The following review further validates what some readers have been telling me all along: The book is appealing to women across the age spectrum! Of course that makes me happy.

As the song says, "Money can't buy me love," and that's something I keep in mind. This book isn't making me rich in dollars; however, readers are making me feel every day that every hour, week, month and year have been worthwhile. Thank each of you for making this a rich experience by giving Dancing on Mars and me your generous support!

Insight for any age, July 24, 2012

Eliza Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dancing on Mars (Paperback)

As a 20-something growing woman, I feel this book is fantastic for any age. The pages are filled with beauty, insight, and humor that kept me turning one after the other. Her spiritual journey I found most interesting because I went through a similar experience of giving up the social norms and traditions of religion and moving to a more personal and profound spirituality. I can't wait to share this jewel with my girlfriends!

REVIEWS for DANCING ON MARS

A delightful book... (by LP - at Amazon)

Lucinda Shirley opens up her life to readers in the warmest, most engaging and enlightening way. It is easy to relate to the changes and challenges she shares, especially as a southern woman. I love that she weaves her wonderful poetry throughout the book; it accentuates her wisdom, her questioning of the 'status quo' and her great sense of humor. I highly recommend the book... a great read!

THE BUZZ:

(Excerpts from Reviews and Articles about Dancing on Mars:)

“Lucinda Shirley is a fearless writer. You will laugh out loud at her sassy wit, but be prepared to cry as well.” ... “Great lessons on co-dependence, compulsive pleasing and finding oneself ... A terrific writer, her eminently readable story is filled with honest reflection, humor, pathos, lessons learned and spiritual and emotional awakening. There is something here for everyone. Enjoy!”

... “More than a memoir, the author generously opens her exploration to include the perspectives of other women. ... A great individual read, also a stimulating read for a women’s discussion or book group.”

“Warm, generous and affirming ....” “An unusual exploration of an interesting life.”

“Dancing on Mars is THE guide for women ready to split the world wide open with their truth and freedom of expression .... Buy it. Read it. Do it!”

“Read this book and be challenged and inspired.”

“I’m reading Dancing on Mars slowly because I don’t want it to end!”

“Reflective insights on topics which will ring true to all women ....”

“... A story dotted with insights into what makes us who we are. [The author] faced the unhappy and problematic, all the while celebrating the joy to be found all around.” “Loved the original poems ... And the reflective essays scattered throughout the book.” “Dancing on Mars is a feast, not an appetizer.” “... A well-written and refreshing book ...loved the mix of personal story, stories from others, and poems that really speak.” “I am not from the South and my journey is different, but it is amazig how much all women have in common. It is a great book for any woman seeking her own truth, wisdom and growth.”

“If you’ve never examined your life in a deep way, you’ll find yourself doing it while reading this book. Consider it a layman’s guide and Ms. Shirley’s gift. I say “thanks!”

Dancing on Mars left me feeling very good about life, even the not-so-good parts. ...She describes things important to her that I’ve never considered but now will. The author’s artistic soul and sense of humor kept me reading!”

“Dancing on Mars deserves a five-star rating!”

“With her humorous, strong, smart Southern self, Lucinda Shirley shares her experiences with relationships, love, joy, pain and happiness in her own unique style that will inspire you to examine your life from a more conscious place of awareness.”

“Even though it’s been called ‘EveryWoman’s book’ I know a no-nonsense Marine (Viet Nam vet) who said: This is a GREAT book!”

Comments from e-mails and Facebook

"Your writing, including the bird at your car's rear view mirror, almost made me choke on my coffee it is so funny." ~ Roberta J.

On Facebook from childhood friend Joyce who gave me the gift of a memory in her comments:

"Just finished reading Dancing On Mars. It's an amazing read. I couldn't put it down. Also loved some of those walks down memory lane. I remember as a teenager when we would walk as a group to town and if we crossed "main street" you would hold out your arms to keep all of us from crossing in front of a car. Always the protector!"

"Read it; loved it!!!" ~ T.F.

"Your book is fantastic! ...I read the last post twice. Looking forward to reading this one." ~ Dianne C.

"It's so easy to read what you write, just like talking to you. All writers strive for that. My favorite story was that of Mary and her ark of promise you found." ~ S. Smith

"I love your writing and the pieces posted. I can hardly wait to read the entire book." ~ T. T.

"I'm thinking how helpful this would have been in my late teens, then into my first marriage, divorce, etc,. up until now. I appreciate that the perspectives in your book caused me to ponder and explore my own experiences, and understanding, of being alone, partnered and/or married. All of these I have attempted more than once. After 60 years of experience, I finally truly believed that I deserve to be in a successful, healthy relationship and that there are plenty of "good" men out there. And perhaps more importantly, I have an inner peace and joy...regardless of my marital status." ~ OM. C.

Cassie on FB: "LOVE it!!!!!"

GM says, "Your writing takes my breath away. It just seems to flow off the page."

Rebecca wrote on FB: "LOVED reading it. As a 47 yr old single working mom still wading thru trials and tribulations of how to fit a relationship into my life and figuring out what kind of man is the right fit, I found these women's stories to be very insightful. Thanks for sharing it!"

From FB: "I've really enjoyed reading your blog. I love all the insight. Thank you so much for sharing." ~ JFS

Third-draft reader, Pat Mikelson, 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."