Tayari's Blog: February 2006
February 28, 2006
All This Love... What to Do With It?
So, to practise what I preach, I am trying to figure out which author I will show some love today. Of course, I could just blog about someone, but I want to do something a little more grand, a little more in keeping with the spirit if the idea.
I am not sure who to target. In my late teens, I would write love letters to Alice Walker. I scored her home address in San Francisco through some shady characters and I would write her these letters about once every two months or so. Dear Ms. Walker, I love your work... You get the idea. She never wrote back. (When I was a kid, I wrote to Judy Blume and got a very nice auto-penned response!)
Posted at 07:43 AM | ![[comments]](http://www.tayarijones.com/images/comments.gif){kind=small}
Comments (5)
Category:
The Writing Life
February 27, 2006
If You Love A Writer, Let Her Know!
I am not fishing for compliments here.. really. I am just thinking of how many folks wrote on thier web sites that they had been intending to hear Octavia Butler read, but figured they'd just catch her the next time. It turns out that there was no next time. So I challenge everyone to figure out a way to show some love to a favorite author.. TODAY. You can get a attend a reading, send an email/letter, or even get a tatoo. But let's all do something, TODAY.
Posted at 10:19 PM | Comments (4)
Category:
The Writing Life
February 26, 2006
Remembering Octavia E. Butler
The blogosphere mourns.
1947-2006
Steven Barnes says goodbye to his old friend.
A lovely photo at Hatian Ecclectic.
Here, we find out that the middle initial E was for Estelle.
Cyborg Democracy remembers the woman who made sci fi political
On The Verge of Dating White Girls still has some love left over for Octavia.
Kynn gives us a great quote from the Great Woman.
Bee In The Honey gives thanks.
Eldritchhobbit quotes Butler's poetry
and
Ed Champion discovered Octavia Butler when he was just a little kid and he's never been the same.
update: a mere two days after the fact, the "mainstream" press remembers, too:
Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune. Somebody give me a holler when you hear from the NYT. And is it too much to want a little something from the black press?
Posted at 09:43 PM | Comments (2)
Category:
Current Events
R.I.P. Octavia Butler
I got a email today saying that Octavia Butler had passed away. I emailed Ed Champion, who interviewed Ms. Butler on his excellent podcast. I was pretty much begging him to disprove it. At first he emailed back and said there was nothing on the wires about it, but I guess what we have to understand that just because our prophets die, the AP will not neccesarily stop the presses to spread the news. Champion kept digging and finally, he called the King County Medical Examiner where it was confirmed. Octavia Butler is dead and the world is the worse off for it.
About three months ago, I ran into Ms. Butler in the Chicago O'Hare airport. I was unsure if I should speak to her, as she was famous for being shy. But I approached her and told her how much I loved her work, how much it meant to me. I can't tell you how happy I am that a random encounter gave me the opportunity to pay my respects while she was still able to hear them.
Posted at 05:51 PM | Comments (5)
Category:
Current Events
February 25, 2006
BB&P
I am breaking my own golden rules: no blogging after midnight and no blogging apres cocktails. It's Saturday night and I am just getting home from Busboys and Poets, the site of my paperback release party. While I was stalking the bar, waiting for a seat to open up, who do I see but Andy Shallal, the proprietor of this fine establishment. Mr. Shallal who dresses in comfortable but stylish attire, is usually busy being the owner of the hottest bar/restaurant/bookstore/performance space in town, but he is also a terrific visual artist. (He didn't mention this when we chatted, but I am the sort of person who knows things.) Anyway, me being me and cocktails being cocktails, I introduced myself to him and told me that I would be having my book party at BB&P. Andy was gracious and asked me if my books were already stocked in the bookstore. In my best serious-writer-sotto-voice, I informed him that I looked where my book should have been alphabetically and all I saw was Ed Jones. Lots of Ed Jones. Certainly there's room on the shelf for more than one Jones. Charming Mr. Shallal assured me that we would jump right on it.
If he's is involved in any way with the launch party, it's going to be a hell of an event. Be there.
Posted at 11:32 PM | Comments (2)
Category:
D.C. Diaries
Forget The Homework-Eating Dog
Arizona Senate’s Committee on Higher Education has voted to let university and community-college students opt out of reading assignments that they find "offensive."
Okay, can you imagine the practical applications of this?
Me: "Excuse me Little Johnny.. Where is your homework?"
Johnny: "It offended me, so I didn't do it."
Me: Well, that's completely legal. Let me write a separate syllabus just for you. I wouldn't want you to accidently get exposed to anything new. Please forgive me!
Posted at 07:08 PM | Comments (2)
Category:
Current Events
the great taggerooni
I came, I typed, I tagged.. Check out the aftermath.
Ladylee went all out...
Nichelle Newsletter made an exception for little ol' me.
Nichelle trambles...
Alhaji is iggin me
Posted at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)
Category:
The Writing Life
Overheard in The City
In the month I have been in D.C., many of the most interesting things I have observed haven't actually involved me. You can tell a lot about a city by the things you overhear.
Posted at 04:33 PM | Comments (3)
Category:
D.C. Diaries
February 22, 2006
If You're In D.C...
You need to let me know about it. I am planning the party for the paperback release of The Untelling. I am going to have it right here in D.C. at Busboys and Poets on March 20. (save the date). Email if you're in DC and I will put you on the list! Also, I want to reach out to the D.C. bookclubs. So, if you're in a book club, give a shout.
Posted at 05:40 PM | Comments (0)
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R.I.P. Malcolm X
Today is the anniversary of Malcolm X's murder. Read the NYT article that was printed the day after.
I live like a man who's already dead," Malcolm X said last Thursday in a two-hour interview in the Harlem office of his Organization for Afro-American Unity."I'm a marked man," he said slowly as he fingered the horn-rimmed glasses he wore and leaned forward to give emphasis to his words. "It doesn't frighten me for myself as long as I felt they would not hurt my family."
[thx, daddy]
Posted at 06:30 AM | Comments (2)
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February 20, 2006
Some Thoughts on Exposure
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, the actor who got the Oscar nod for Capote, was on 60 Minutes this week. (I didn't see it, being TV-less, but I heard the podcast.) Anyway, he said something that made me gave me pause:
I think part of being an actor is staying private. I do think it's (an) important part of doing my job — is that they believe I’m someone else," Hoffman explains. "You know, that’s part of my job. And if they start watching me and thinking about the fact that I got a divorce or something in my real life.... I don’t think I’m doing my job.
Posted at 06:42 PM | Comments (7)
Category:
The Writing Life
Can't Nobody say I forgot where I came from...
ladylee calls me out on my TRUE S.W.A.T.S. ATLien fabulousness....
I've Been Tagged
If this is TMI, blame Lauren.
Four Jobs I've Had: TA, Lecturer, Instructor, Professor
Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over: Okay, this a weird thing about me: I don't really like movies. I don't know what it is. I mean, I can tolerate them. If someone asks me, I'll go. And I often read reviews and think "I should see that." But I seldom do. And I never go twice.
Four Places I've Lived: Atlanta, GA. Phoenix, AZ. Iowa City, IA. Johnson City, TN.
Four TV Shows I Love: I think you all already know about my TV-quirk. I feel like such a sqaure doing this.
Four Places I've Vacationed: Hmm.. A vacation would be a trip that a person takes just for fun, right? So this would be a trip where I didn't give a reading to help me pay my way there, right? Hmm.. I don't even know if I can come up with four. I went on a cruise one time. It was a Black College Reunion Cruise. The women out-numbered the men, 6 to 1. I went to California, one time, just to go.. How about I list four places I have NOT vacationed?
Four of My Favorites Dishes: creme brullee, duck breast with rissotto, macaroni and cheese, shrimp and grits.
Four Sites I Visit Daily: horoscopes, edrants.com, theoldhag.com, weather.com
Four Underrated Conversational Topics: Aromatherapy, root vegetables, shortcuts, counterfeiting
Plus one I'm adding-- Four overrated Conversational Topics: American Idol, male-female relationships, alma maters, hip-hop.
Four Bloggers I'm Tagging: Nichelle, Nichelle, Alhaji, Ladylee.
Posted at 12:17 PM | Comments (1)
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February 19, 2006
Report From the Road: Atlanta, GA
Whenever I am looking forward to something, I try and squelch my expectations, telling myself that I am just setting myself up for disappointment. As all of you know, I was really looking forward to the “Sisterspeak” event at Spelman with Pearl Cleage. All of the day before, I kept trying to keep my excitement in check. I ran through all the possible worst case scenarios in my head. What if it snows? What if no one shows up? What if, what it, what if…
What do I do this to myself? Why do I ever doubt? Sisterhood is powerful, Pearl is a jewel and Spelman is magic. This is one thing I know for sure.
February 18, 2006
Live, From Atlanta
So sorry about the slow-down in posting. I'm in Atlanta for the event with Pearl at Spelman. To get ready for it, she and I have been spending lots of q-time together, working hard. For example, yesterday, we went to our favorite restuarant across town, Vinocity, and ate ourselves silly. And yesterday, we visited our favorite spot on our own side of town, Paschal's, and did some cultural research which involved fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried-green tomatoes, and a dirty martini. As we were leaving, Pearl handed me a book I hadn't seen in some time. It's called LETTERS OF INTENT: Women Cross the Generations to Talk About Family, Work, Sex, Love and the Future of Feminism. Pearl and I have a piece in that book which was published almost ten years ago.
"Go home," she said. "Read what we wrote to each other. We'll talk about it more tomorrow at our event."
Posted at 08:03 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
The Writing Life
February 15, 2006
The Cult of Oprah?
Check out this article about Oprah. I will tell you that I was alienated right off the bat by the accompanying graphic. I know that the idea was to parody the movie poster from "Attack of the 50-Foot Woman", but when I see a black woman portrayed as a savage...
And this quote:
Letterman is by no means the first one to realize that the road to success — or forgiveness — entails planting a kiss somewhere on Oprah’s oft-fluctuating anatomy.
Umm.. can we talk about the woman's incredible power without making a reference to her WEIGHT??
I don't even watch her show, being TV-less and all. But I was utterly unconvinced by this article. I know The Oprah has a lot of power, but I didn't really see why I should be "afraid." But maybe it's because I don't find powerful (black) women frightening....
**UPDATE** the story has been REMOVED from the server.. It is also gone from AOL where I sound the link in the first place. I wonder if THE OPRAH put her legal folks on the case...
**UPDATED UPDATE** It's back up. Probably too much trafic. (Thx psiii)
Posted at 05:52 AM | Comments (5)
Category:
Current Events
February 14, 2006
Be No One's Darling
Alice Walker is interviewed on Democracy Now. While I must admit that I have had a hard time connecting with her more recent fiction, Meridian is one of my Favorite. Novels. Ever. And her political and social commentary, as always is right on point.
ATLians ATLiens Mark Your Calendars
Don't forget that Pearl and I are doing a reading and Q&A at Spelman this Saturday at 4pm in the Cosby Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public. If you're around, I hope that you'll come out. This will be a special event. Pearl, as you know, is both a mentor and friend to me. We'll talk about writing, life, and the writing life. And since it is at Spelman College, sacred ground for both of us, you know that the words spoken will be real.
February 12, 2006
A Lesson in the Library Line
As most of you know, I am a writer who supports herself through my work at a University. Well, yesterday I got a (2nd) email from my home university reminding me that I have missed my deadline for turning in my portfolio that will determine whether or not I get tenure or promoted on schedule. (This, as you know, is the holy grail of life in the academy.)
In a panic, I went tearing through my personal archives gathering up all of the things that I would need to show that I am a worthy candidate for advancement. I stayed up all night writing statements, gathering my reviews, and collecting evidence of my publications. Early in the afternoon, I headed out to send my bundle via overnight mail. But between my home and the post office, I had an experience of the life-changing variety.
Posted at 12:01 AM | Comments (14)
Category:
The Writing Life
February 10, 2006
Love Is In The Air!
As Valentine's Day is creeping up, I thought that I would take a moment to blog about love, glorious love! (Love in literature, of course.) Here are some of my favorite couples and the books in which they live. (But let me warn you, my taste in love tends to be a little *off*.) I think I'll post about one couple a day until Valentine's...
February 08, 2006
In Memory of Mrs. King
Mone'Sha sent me this link to Mrs. Coretta Scott King's lovely funeral program. It's in .pdf so if you have a good printer you can have a really nice copy.
When Rosa Parks passed away last year, my great-aunt Kathryn (also known as "Doll") sent me a copy of that program. I don't know where she got the original, but she spent a pretty penny at Kinko's making color copies, and these pennies were not easy to come by.
I keep it on my coffee table.
On another note: Did anybody record the funeral? I want to see or hear what Joseph Lowery said about Bush and the war. And if you didn't actually record it, I would be satisfied with just a summary. I did find this official story. But let me know what YOU say. Don't make me wait for the JET story. You know it will take them a good three weeks to get it together!
Posted at 08:29 AM | Comments (3)
Category:
Current Events
February 07, 2006
Essence Starts a Book Club!
According the The Backlist, Pearl Cleage's new novel, BABY BROTHER'S BLUES, is the first pick of the new Essence Magazine book club. (thx, nichelle)
my review
February 06, 2006
Leaving Atlanta en espanol
El Cobre, a publisher in Spain, has released a Spanish translation of Leaving Atlanta ! Check out the cover art. Which do you prefer, the Spanish or American version?
Espana: 
OR
U.S.A.: 
(Okay, so I clicked on google to translate the review. It's kind of funny. The father is described as a "despotic castrator." I wish my Spanish was good enough for me to translate it myself. I am pretty sure that the well meaning google-bot is missing something....)
TimeWarner has SOLD its BOOK DIVISION
Warner Books, my publisher, has been SOLD. I have no idea what this means.... [thx, LC]
Posted at 01:46 PM | Comments (0)
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175 Words of My New Book
Okay, folks. I am working on a new novel. I am working HARD on it. I think I had forgotten just how difficult it is to get a project going. In this, novel writing is the opposite of romance. With love, the fun part is when you first meet, when you are just buzzing around, high on the whole potential of it all. And when it ends, it's because you have run the damn thing into the ground.
Writing a novel another matter all together. The rush comes at the end, when the project is almost over, when you can't wait to finish it although you know how much you'll miss it when it's gone. It's a strange thrilling masochism-- running at full tilt toward what you know will break your heart, but you're just dying to get there. The ugly part, all the heavy-lifting, is in the beginning, when you are unsure if you are going in the right direction, unsure if it will "stick." And this is where I am now. So, with no further ado, dear Readers, I am going to let you read the first 175 words.
To quote Eddie Murphy in Boomerang (yes, I am just THAT black): Be gentle.
February 02, 2006
Amanda Davis Fiction Award
Here is an award for a young woman who is working hard on her first book. It is named after my friend Amanda Davis who passed away a couple of years ago. Please enter and win it. I miss that crazy girl.
This memorial award is intended to aid a young woman writer of 32 years or younger who both embodies Amanda's personal strengths—warmth, generosity, a passion for community—and needs some time to finish a book in progress. The book in progress needn't be thematically or stylistically close to Amanda's work, but we would be lying if we said we weren't looking to support another writer of Amanda's outrageous lyricism and heart.
Posted at 03:46 PM | Comments (1)
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