Tag: chicago

Stop

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It’s a quiet, rainy Fall morning at Casa del Lobos.

I love this weather, this time of year. Life is busy but good–full of people I love, activities I enjoy, events I believe in. My only concern is that it’s a bit too full, too hectic. I feel like I’m missing moments and instead am being pulled along by the strong current. Soon I will need to stop, to have a series of quiet, rainy days full of small moments of kids and husband and writing, to enjoy meals and play and watching the leaves fall.

In the meantime, there are books and writers and artists and fashion and varenyky/pierogis and coffee. Always coffee.

In a few minutes, I need to make phone calls and figure out details for the book signing on Saturday, October 23. I haven’t mentioned it yet, but there will be free pierogis and a fabulous vorozhka/fortuneteller doing complimentary tarot readings. If you’re in the Chicago area, come to Lincoln Square and stop by the Book Cellar, 7-9pm. There will be quite a party if the facebook responses can be trusted.

We’re starting to put other cities on the tour schedule, finalizing details with book stores. It’s all rather surreal, this business of sharing my book, The Silence of Trees, with the world.

I had dinner with some friends last night (or rather some fiends *wink*), and the conversation turned to The Silence of Trees. I felt shy.

I rarely feel shy, but finally sharing this book has made me feel vulnerable. Maybe it will be like that with every book? Maybe not. I guess I’ll just have to keep writing and publishing to find out. (I’ll keep you posted.)

It’s interesting because I made my peace with being a “public” person when I began actively engaging people and communities online, back around the time of the Amazon ABNA contest. I grew up with a father in the Illinois Senate, a very public personality, so this is not new to me. I know this blog is online and available to people. However none of that has made me feel as exposed as the reality of my book published and out in the world.

There’s thunder now, and lightning. At 8:42 am! I missed Chicago thunderstorms when we lived in Germany. I always feel like they help to clear my head.

Much of my time over the last few weeks has been filled with literary business: the book launch and also the Induction Ceremony for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. I need to write more about that; it deserves its own post. In the meantime, mark the date: Saturday, November 20, 2010. I invite you to join me at Northeastern Illinois University. Drinks, hors d’œuvre, and desserts are included in the $45 ticket price ($35 for students).

I’ll follow up with a more detailed post. It’s going to be a fantastic event, and I hope that you can come out and celebrate Chicago’s literary history with me! (I’m going to be wearing a fabulous new hat!)

That’s a good beginning to the update. There so much more to write: Cabaret, wine with writers, cocktails & conversations with the cast, Amanda Palmer, and Neil Gaiman, creative collaboration…

Until then, enjoy the rain if you have it.
xxo

Horizons and Literary Landscapes

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The week was filled with creative endeavors and conversations–the kind that feed your spirit and imagination.

Sunday began with awesome crepes and brainstorming for exciting new projects on the horizon (more on those later).

Thursday was Deck the Hall at Sheffield’s in Chicago, the fundraising party/auction for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. While I had been a little concerned that the snow might deter patrons, the turnout was very good, the auction successful, and the readings diverse and inspirational.

Bayo Ojikutu, Marcus Sakey and Don De Grazia read from books by three Literary Hall of Fame nominees: Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun, Studs Terkel’s P.S.: Further Thoughts from a Lifetime of Listening, and Nelson Algren’s Chicago: City on the Make. The well-read excerpts reminded me exactly how rich the literary landscape of Chicago has been and continues to be.

The three Chicago authors went on to read from their own works, and while I was familiar with the excellence of Bayo’s 47th Street Black and Don’s American Skin, I had never read any of Marcus Sakey’s books. His writing is gorgeous. Of course I had heard of Marcus and his imaginative crime novels (he’s also one of those lucky writers who has had three books optioned by film companies), but when he read from his book, I was captivated. I’ve added The Amateurs to my short list of books to be read. (For any who have not read these authors, I heartily recommend them).

The event featured an auction of literary delights that helped to raise funds for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, featuring treasures like an autographed first edition of Neil Gaiman’s Newbery Award-winning The Graveyard Book and a signed rare first edition of Stuart Dybek’s Brass Knuckles, both generously donated by the authors.

Don Evans, who isthe heart and soul of the Hall of Fame, was a sincere and well-spoken emcee, and graciously mentioned me and Conclave: A Journal of Character. Chicago writer and president of the Chicago Writers Association, Randy Richardson was there to help ensure that things ran smoothly. The Hall of Fame is the Chicago Writers Association’s project, and Randy has been working with Don to make the dream a reality.  I was delighted to be in such good company, in this community of writers and readers. I felt inspired to finish up Conclave so that I could turn my attention back to my own writing.

At the Deck the Hall party, I met sculptor Margot McMahon, whose three children are ten years older than mine, and we had an excellent conversation about how to raise children, make art, and retain some of your sanity. It was exactly the conversation I needed to hear that night. I loved listening to her experience creating the "Just Plain Working" exhibition about ten famous, but often overlooked, Chicagoans.

This well-respected artist has been able to make art while also working to be a successful parent. Some of her words of wisdom: "Let your children see you reading and make sure that they know it’s your time, not theirs. If they see you place such an importance on books, they’ll begin to value them as well." McMahon also believes that music is crucial in teaching children to focus and concentrate, to teach them to finish a task and learn self-discipline.

As much as I loved my time spent in Germany and the solitude it gave me and my family as a time to focus, reflect, and evaluate, I am happy to be home and excited to be a writer living in this time and place.

So many adventures on the horizon!