Tayari's Blog: May 2005
May 29, 2005
Writing After The Road
Today, I sat down to work on my new novel after three weeks on the road. This novel feel alive within me. I think about it when I lie down at night. I have to force myself to sleep and the only way I can do that is to remind myself that I have to sleep to do any decent writing in the morning. So, this is good. I don't quite know what to do with myself when I am not working on a project.
But when I finally sat down to write, I had to work hard to shut out the voices of the world and concentrate on my story, my characters, the page.
Posted at 05:37 PM | ![[comments]](http://www.tayarijones.com/images/comments.gif){kind=small}
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Category:
The Writing Life
May 25, 2005
We Speak Your Name: a message from Pearl
Lots of folks have emailed me for information on the poem, "We Speak Your Name," which Pearl Cleage wrote for Oprah's recent bash honoring black women. I have contacted Miz Pearl and received this response:
you can tell folks the poem will be excerpted in the oprah magazine in august and plans to publish it are in the works. :-)
So there you have it.
Posted at 09:35 PM | Comments (11)
Category:
Home at Last
Fifteen readings later, I am back in Champaign-Urbana. Who would imagine that I would weep with joy at the sight of endless cornfields?
Posted at 03:08 PM | Comments (3)
Category:
The Writing Life
May 23, 2005
Report From The Road: San Francisco
Today is the next to the last day of my cross-country adventure. The schedule is hectic: a reading at Alexander Book Company at twelve-thirty, then on a plane to LA for a 7pm reading at Eso Wan in L.A.
Yesterday was terrific. A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books rocks.
May 21, 2005
Report From The Road: Oakland, CA
I wonder how difficult it would be for me to relocate to Oak-Town...
More on the Atlanta Child Murders
As I promised last week, I have written an op-ed for the AJC about the reopening of the Atlanta Child Murders case...
May 20, 2005
Report From The Road: Phoenix
Okie Dokie. I wrapped up the Phoenix leg of the tour with a reading at the big library downtown. Perhaps I've gotten cocky-- I do so many readings. I think I have my little routine down. But then, in the Q&A, a woman raised her hand and said something utterly disconcerting.
May 19, 2005
Report From The Road: Tempe, AZ
I used to live in Tempe, you know.
May 18, 2005
Report From the Road: ATL/PHX
I finished up my Atlanta readings with a Sign and Dine at Copelands restaurant, hosted by Booking Matters, an Atlanta literary event planning company. After that, I headed out to Phoenix, my former stomping ground. So, I am stomping the best I can in this heat!
Posted at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)
Category:
May 15, 2005
MYSTERY MAN?
So yesterday, I was riding in the passenger seat of a brown Saturn, waiting at the light on Cascade just at I-20. Coning in the oppsite direction, also stuck in traffic was a man about my age, driving an SUV. I don't remember the color. Anyway, I was talking to Rhonda, who was driving, and I noticed the gentleman in the SUV. I couldn't hear him, obviously-- he was in a whole separate vehicle-- but he seemed to be saying my name. (I mean this literally.) Rhonda was still talking, but I couldn't take my eyes off this very FAMILIAR looking person who was apparently calling me by name-- the hometown pronunciation: Tee-AR-ee. The light changed and he inched forward and when our two vehicles were close enough, he said, quite calmly, TAYARI. Now who could this be? Here are my hunches: he is a member of Benjamin E mays High, class of 1987. He was in the marching band.
Any further info would be greatly appreciated.
Posted at 08:43 PM | Comments (2)
Category:
BULLETPROOF GIRLS
A recently had a conversation with Quinn Dalton, author of Bulletproof Girl. We talked about writing, life, and the writing life. We gave tips on how to stay sane on book tour, and how to write a novel in the first place. You can read the whole conversation in the cool e-zine, A Small Spiral Notebook.
Posted at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
The Writing Life
May 14, 2005
Report From The Road: ATL, Home Turf
Two more terrific events: Charis Books and More in Little Five Points and Decatur Pubic Library. I can't decide what I love more, indepedent book stores or public libraries!
More on the Child Murders Case
I know that I promised to write more about my feelings about The Atlanta Child Murders case being reopened. Since then, I have promised to write a piece for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, so I have been collecting and organizing my thoughts for that piece. I will post it here when I am done. I promise.
It's Review Season: The Boston Globe
Good news from up north!
May 12, 2005
Report From the Road: Hotlanta
I have to tell you. I just love my hometown.
May 09, 2005
The Atlanta Child Murders, Case Re-Opened
This weekend, the DeKalb County police cheif has re-opened the case of The Atlanta Child Murders, the subject of my 2002 novel, LEAVING ATLANTA. I am sort of stunned by the news. Like many native Atlantans, I had a sort of instinctual doubt about the case againt Wayne WIlliams.
Posted at 09:12 PM | Comments (12)
Category:
The Writing Life
May 08, 2005
Namesakes
Tayari Jones is a pretty unusual name, but not quite unique. Since the publication of my first novel, I have discovered that I have to namesakes. One is a paralegal living in Jackson, MS. And the other is this person. And that got me to thinking about other writers who share names with civilians.
HOME AGAIN, FOR A MOMENT
Okay, I know I promised that I wouldn't use my blog for personal therapy. But I have had a sort of break through today, that I think may be worth knowing to someone else. I am home on a couple-day breather before I leave for a two-week stretch. Last night, unable to sleep, I came up with a 42-item to-do list. It's time to let myself off the hook, wouldn't you say?
May 07, 2005
It's Review Season: The Believer
From the May issue!
May 06, 2005
Report From The Road: Richmond, VA
I've just returned from Richmond, VA where I participated in the Junior League 60th Annual Book and Author Dinner. Would you believe me if I told you that I had a great time?
May 03, 2005
Need Your Book Signed?
If you have a copy of The Untelling or Leaving Atlanta and would like a signature, please email me info@tayarijones.com and include your address. I'll be glad to send you a signed bookplate! There are self-ashesive, you just peel off the backing and Voila! Signed copy!
May 02, 2005
It's Review Season II: The AJC
This just in from my hometown paper.
Zohreh's Mircale Throat-Tea
This will be my last entry on laryngitis, because I am CURED! All the credit goes to my friend and colleauge, Zohreh, who gave the recipe for a traditional Iranian cure. Here's how you make it:
Posted at 07:32 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
The Writing Life