Tayari's Blog: November 2008
November 30, 2008
November 29, 2008
Tryptophanic Links
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November 27, 2008
So Thankful
Dear Blog Community,
Since it is Thanksgiving, I thought I would take a minute to let you know how thankful I am to have you all in my life. This year has been quite a ride, and I have a lot to be thankful for, but looking though the archves of this blog, and my own personal journal, it hasn't been all champagne and party dresses. There have been some rough patches and one of the things that kept me "up and at 'em" (as my Dad likes to say) has been this blog and the folks that read it.
A lot of people don't really understand that blog-thing. Some writers look it is only as a marketing tool and ask me ridiculous questions like "how many books do you sell from your blog?" Other writers look at blogging as competition for their creative work. "But if you're so busy blogging when do you have time to write." Others are just plain snooty. "Oh God. A blogger." Well, that's their problem.
I've been keeping this blog for just about four years now and through it, have have met some remarkable people. I love getting your "good news" updates and nothing cheers me more than to hear from a first-time commenter, long-time lurker. When I am invited to give readings in sort of out of the way places and there may be only three people in the audience and one of them will be from this blog community. Once I was stranded and neeed a jump for my car. I put out a blog SOS, and somebody came to help. And speaking of SOSes, thank you for coming through with the Pink Oil when I was up in the mountains this summer. Bless you for coming through when the woman in Florida needed our help to get her life started again. And remember when that lady said my book was too "depressing" to represent the State of Georgia? Thanks for taking up for me. That incident bothered more than I was willing to admit and you all came riding to the rescue, comenting like crazy on her blog. For this and so much more, I am grateful for you this holiday.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you are with people you care about. I'll be back here tomorrow.
Love,
Tayari
Posted at 06:35 AM | Comments (0)
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Travels & Rambles
November 26, 2008
Pre-Bliss Links
Since this is my birthday week, I am spending today in the spa. (I love myself a scrub-and-a-rub.) But while I am all blissed out, here's a little reading material.
Posted at 10:11 AM | Comments (1)
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Travels & Rambles
November 24, 2008
Heading To Uganda
I've just been invited to Kampala, Uganda to lead a writing workshop for FEMRITE, a women's writing group. The residency program is for struggling writers identified by FEMRITE who are working on a book
or short story and need space and time to do so, as well as a facilitator to train them and guide the process. I'll be there January 12-16! I am so looking forward to meeting with the women of FEMRITE. You may remember that I did a video conference with them this summer. I can't wait to meet face to face!
Save The Snack Shack!
I interrupt this literary blog for a special announcement:: THE SNACK SHACK is in danger! Those of us who live and/or work in Newark know that one of the few perks of riding the PATH train into Penn Station is The Snack Shack, a popcorn and nuts vendor right in the center of the vestibule. Also, The Snack Shack is one of the only black-owned carts in Newark Penn Station.
Today, when I swung by for my usual Monday Morning pick me up-- fresh popcorn, so tasty--I noticed a sign indicating that The Snack Shack is being forced out. I signed the petition- which contains about 800 names, but I wanted to sound the alarm here. The Snack Shack has only until Decemeber 3 to convince the property management company to change its mind.
If you love popcorn and/or believe in the American Dream, send an email to Portsmgmtnyc[at]verizon[dot]net.
Mayor Cory Booker, it sure would be nice for you to weigh in on this...
Posted at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
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November 23, 2008
Less Amused
You may remember a few weeks ago when I was sort of amused by the idea that amazon was recommending that I read "Mama, I'm in Love... With a Gangsta" since I seem to be a fan of Tayari Jones. Well, after listening to On The Media this week, I am a little less amused and a little more bothered.
The On The Media segment was about Netflix and how they are trying to get people to help them fine tune their computer-recommendation gizmo. (There's a million dollar prize, just FYI.) Anyway, just toward the end of the segment, the guest made a really good point about the whole concept. To paraphrase, he said that these computer programs contribute to narrow-mindedness because people don't really experience new things when they follow the suggestions. Many times people need to experience books, movies, etc. that they don't really like.
So to move the conversation away from movies and back to books, I imagine that this idea put into practise would be like this. Real life suggestion: If you like Gone With The Wind, you may also like Scarlett: The Sequel To Gone With The Wind. But it would be better if the computer said: If you like Gone With The Wind, you need to read Beloved.
So with my head spinning on this idea, I thought about the computer pushing zMama, I'm In Love... With A Gansta on me because I seem to have an interest in African American literature. So, what does it mean if amazon's computers are pushing so-called "street-lit" on anyone who has ordered books by African-Americans? Are there consequences?
Posted at 08:33 PM | Comments (1)
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The Writing Life
Can't Believe The Weekend's Over Links
Posted at 06:22 PM | Comments (1)
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Travels & Rambles
November 22, 2008
Playing Catch Up!
Here is an email I received yesterday:
Dear Tayari,
You never did tell us what you were doing in Ghana in the first place.
Please forgive me for that huge oversight! Here is a quick overview: The Pan African Writers Association held their annual meeting in Ghana this year. Writers from all over the African Continent gathered to discuss the state of African Diasporic Literature. Also in attendance were a few African-descended people who live in other parts of the world.
My attendance was sponsored by the US Embassy.
This was a conference not so different from academic conferences you might attend in the US like AWP or MLA, but on a smaller scale. I guess you could say it was more like a seminar. Since African nations speak a variety of languages, there were headphone on the seats which you could use hear translation into French or English. (I must say, this was one of my favorite parts. It felt so UN!)
Most of the conversation was geared to the political implications of African Writing, with much of the discussion centered on language. I was especially struck by the speaker who confessed that he now thinks in English and wondered what this means for not only the writer he is, but the man he is. This conversation was especially intriguing to me. As an African American, I have no other tongue besides English. And although there is a certain vernacular which is more associated with African American culture, it is not the same as having another language. Not for the first time on my trip to Ghana, I really understood what had been lost as a result of the middle passage and slavery.
There were also poetry and fiction readings. Each evening we gathered at the Pan African Writers Association headquarters for poetry marathons. Kwame Dawes and Arundhathi Subramanian were among my favorites. Young Senegalese author, Ayesha H. Attah, shared her new novel Harmattan Rain along with sketches inspired by that work. Andries Oliphant of South African made my little heart go pitter-pat with his passionate call for gender equality.
And then, there was the fashion. But I'll save that for another post.
Photos? Of course!
Posted at 11:49 AM | Comments (1)
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Travels & Rambles
November 20, 2008
Mack and Barbara Jones
I jsut found this photo of my parents, five years before I was born. I don't know why, but I wanted to share it.
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November 19, 2008
Patricia's Big Night!
I'm on my way to Amherst, MA to give a reading. If you're in the area, I'd love to see you there. Also, tonight is the National Book Awards ceremony. Patricia Smith (pictured here) is nominated for her knockout book of poetry, Blood Dazzler. Make sure you send her some positive vibes tihs evening. As I will probably be in the middle of my reading when winners are announced, I am going to be a little out of the loop. I would really appreciate it if someone would DM me on twitter as soon as you find out who won what.
Posted at 07:22 AM | Comments (0)
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Current Events
November 17, 2008
It's Only Monday!?!? Links
Posted at 02:39 PM | Comments (3)
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Snapshot From Ghana
The beaches of Accra are haunted.
I was walking along the shore as the tide was coming in, feeling not like myself, better than myself, actually. Although this was a November evening, the weather was warm enough for me to wear a light-weight sundress, which I’d gathered and tied over my knees. I was in a good mood. My date- who at 25, was way too young and handsome for me- said something corny and perfect like “You really are beautiful, you know?” Also, it was a magical moment in history: Barak Obama has just been elected president of the United States and every ten minutes or so, someone would stop to personally congratulate me as though I had single-handedly elected a black man to the most powerful office in the world. Wednesday was Reggae Night at the Labadi Beach and I knew that someone would ask me to dance.
Ten days before leaving for Ghana, I had gone out with my friend, Krista. As we sipped on twelve-dollar cocktails, I showed her my travel brochures. “Did you know that Ghana is famous for its beaches?” Krista shook her head and said, “Well I guess it makes sense. It is a slave port.”
Holding Cudjoe’s hand, I walked along the edge of the ocean. He stayed away from the water not wanting to wet his new sneakers. I was barefoot; my strappy sandals were stashed somewhere under the bandstand. About three glasses of wine into the evening, I understood why so many African Americans “repatriated” to Ghana. The tide washed over my feet and I smiled up at Cudjoe, feeling pretty, like an ex-pat and a girl-next-door all at the same time.
As the water rolled in again, Cudjoe sprinted out of its way, concerned again over his shoes. I laughed some more, not being flirtatious, but because it tickled me, watching him worry for his Nikes. So young, I thought. Then, I felt a pressure around my ankle, a grip as solid a man’s. Looking down, jerking my way free, I saw nothing but sand, clear water, and my own naked foot. Too much wine, I told myself. I walked a few more steps and I felt the hand again, tighter this time. I let out a little scream, kicking hard enough to splash my dress and face with warm sea water. “Cudjoe?”
He trotted back to where I was, taking my hand again, as the tide rolled the other way. “So tell me,” he said. “Are you enjoying your trip to Ghana? Are you happy to be home?”
Posted at 08:36 AM | Comments (1)
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November 16, 2008
Reading on Wed @ Amherst Books
If you're in Amherst, I'd love to see you at my reading on Wednesday. Here are the details:
AMHERST, Mass.—Novelist Tayari Jones will read from her work at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Amherst Books (8 Main Street). Sponsored by the Amherst College Creative Writing Center, the event is open to the public at no charge.
Lazy Sunday Links
Posted at 03:46 PM | Comments (1)
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Travels & Rambles
November 15, 2008
Congratulations, Rigoberto!
Yesterday, Rigoberto Gonazlez was honored as one of the OUT 100: a yearly list of 100 of the year’s most interesting, influential, and newsworthy LGBT people. The gala was held at Gotham Hall in Manhattan. Since Rigoberto was an honoree, we had VIP passes which gave us total access. I had to get back to Jersey before the goodie bags were presented, but I did get to partake of the open bar, sponsored by Absolut. The entertainment was top-notch including a steamy dance performance by Zumanity-- the adult wing of Cirque de Soliel. For me, the highlight of the night was seeing Rigoberto's red carpet moment. He posed while photographers shouted "Rigoberto! Over here! You look great!" Flashbulbs popped all over the place. Brilliant!
Of course, I was there taking photos!
Posted at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)
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November 14, 2008
So You Want to Write? Good For You.
I have to say that I reluctantly agree with Shirley Dent who challenges the myth that "everyone has a book in them." Sadly, that isn't anywhere near true. I meet people all the time-- on planes, on the bus, in the supermarket-- who say "I know I've got a book in me!" Each time, I encourage that person to sit down and try and write it. I don't think it's my place to try and determine who is a writer and who isn't. I'll leave that up to the readers.
Shirley Dent uses her column on the Guardian blog to trace how this "everybody has a book in them" logic leads to a lot of horrible books. Her argument centers on community art projects which catalogs any and every manuscript it comes across. This project is similar to the idea in email I received a year ago, proposing a bookstore for self-published authors. Dent seems convinced that a lack of screening of waters down great literature.
Dent, who described herself as "appalled" by this "non-selective endeavor," needs to calm down. She reminds me of those people who are convinced that gay marriage will somehow demean heterosexual marriage.
I am always suspicious of people who call for more stringent gate keeping. I can't see anything that is lost from the idea of encouraging more writers. I have seen many talented young writers nipped in the bud from a lack of encouragement. As a teacher, I have spent time (that I should have spent teaching craft) rebuilding the confidence of writers who received the emotional smack-down from someone who believes that "there are too many people writing books." In my experience, the main practitioners of this religion are writers who want to keep the glory all to themselves.
November 12, 2008
Stateside Links
Hey, y'all. I'm back home in front of my own computer. Here are some links that caught my eye while I was playing catch-up. I am working to get my Ghana pictures together. I plan to post about the trip over the next couple weeks. Meanwhile, here's some pretty cool stuff to read.
Okay. Getting back in bed now.
Posted at 08:33 AM | Comments (5)
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Travels & Rambles
November 11, 2008
2008 United States Artist Grant!
About six weeks ago, I received excellent news. The United States Artists Foundation 
chose me as a member of the 2008 class. I, along with 49 other artists (8 of us are writers), were given an unrestricted grant of $50,000. It's a gift of freedom award, designed to help us be able to take time off from our usual hustle in order to write.
You may not remember, but a couple of months ago, I was worried that I wasn't able to really focus on my work. When I got the good news call, I was actually lying in bed feeling rather hopeless. Being chosen for such an honor was just the shot-in-the-arm, kick-in-the-pants, pat-on-the-back (choose your favorite cliche!) that I needed.
I would have told you earlier, but we were sworn to secrecy until the big announcement and celebration in Chicago this weekend. Oh my goodness! Talk about a festive occaision. Chi-town is already in a fine mood celebrating Mr. Obama, so just imagine the fun when 50 artists come to town. (Yes, I took pictures.)
November 08, 2008
Passing Through London
I'm just in the airport on a layover, but I could not resist using the free computers in the Admiral's Lounge to file a brief report. My trip to Ghana is over. I am so glad that I went, although I have become a complete African-American cliche. Being in Accra for a week made me see how people get caught up and decide to repatriate, especially since there is an open invitation to members of the diaspora to come back and make a life.
But don't worry. I am not going anywhere. This time tomorrow, I be back in "the Land of Obama."
I don't know how I am going to go about posting and blogging about my experiences. There was just so much to process. Of course there is Obama, Obama, Obama. But also the questions raised in the writers conference. History was everywhere. I went to a "slave castle" and cried so hard I thought I would choke. But on a lighter note, there was the wonderful food and gorgeous scenery. I also want to talk about the different social reality for Black American women in Accra. Let's just say, again, I can see how people get caught up and repatriate. And what cultural commentary would be complete with out talking about HAIR? "Afrobellas" were few and far between. Overall, people were so kind to me. When they say "Akwaba" it means you are welcome. Again, I have become an African American cliche, but I felt like I was reunited with relatives lost a long time ago. I'll post photos of all my friends when I get home, probably Tuesday.
I'm on my way to Chicago now. I'll try and post from there.
Posted at 02:06 AM | Comments (1)
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Travels & Rambles
November 04, 2008
November 03, 2008
Report from Accra, Ghana
So here I am, in Ghana. The Motherland, as they say. So far, it has been quite an interesting experience. I am being housed in La Palm, a five-star resort hotel in Accra. It's nice to be in such plush environs, but I have a feeling that there is a whole other world that I am not really experiencing.
Today was set aside for sight-seeing and other indulgences. We started the day at the W.E.B. Dubois museum, which is located in the house that Dr. Dubois lived the last years of this life.
Second stop was the Kwame Nkrumah memorial park and museum. What an experience. This was everything that the MLK center in Atlanta wishes it could be. The structure itself is just gorgeous. Dozens of small statues ornament a beautiful fountain. In the center stands a bronze statue of President Nkrumah pointing the way ahead, reminding us of his famous words "Forwards ever, backwards never." All around the park are trees planted by various dignitaries. I took photos of all of them and tried to find some meaning in the health of the plants. I am sorry to say that the Mandela mango tree is looking sort of peaked. The Roburt Mugabe sapling is down, but not out. Jesse Jackson's tree is thriving.
(I took some great photos, but I do not have the means to post them until I get home. The photo you see on the page, I found on flickr and perhaps came out better than the ones to took as I am trying to figure out how to use my new camera!)
Afterwards, was the treat of the day! I went to meet a family friend who really made me feel at home. Lunch was terrfic. (I photographed my plate, even though people were looking at me like I had gone crazy.) Then she let me choose from so many gorgeous traditional fabrics. And if that was not enough, she summoned a seamstress who measured me and promises to have the dresses made before I leave.
What a welcome.
Tomorrow, we are gearing up for the election. Last night at the hotel, several people treated me to an a capella version of "The Barak Obama Song". Because of the time change, the election events will start around ten pm. I'll be speaking to a group of NYU students around midnight. Then, back to the hotel for a quick nap before a celebratory breakfast at the embassy circa 6:45 am.
Details to come, I promise. I can't update the way I would like to, but I can send messages to twitter. So follow me there.
Posted at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)
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November 01, 2008
Off to Ghana
I am ripping and running trying to get myself together for my tip to Ghana for the Pan African Writers Association annual conference. I am not taking my laptop, so I don't know how often I will be able to update the blog. If I have computer access, but not much time, I will give a few shouts on twitter. Also a have a few buzzes for The Daily Beast in the hopper which will probably be posted before I get back. Check them out, if you can.
I'll be back in the US on November 9, but I won't be home until the 11th. I bought a new camera with a 4G memory card, so lots of photos to come.
Posted at 09:01 AM | Comments (0)
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Travels & Rambles
Some Election Thoughts
Since I will be in Ghana for the election, I am going to post my reflections now. Much is being made of the fact that Barack Obama will provide little black children with inspiration that they, too, could be president one day. Hillary was thought to provide the same inspiration to little girls.
Well, when I was a little girl, the year this photo was taken, I had no idea that the presidency could be limited by race. Jimmy Carter was running for president and a film crew came to our school to ask the children who they would vote for. I said "JIMMY CARTER!" The reporter asked me why and I said "BECAUSE HE'S A BLACK MAN!" The lady was confused and asked me how I had come to this conclusion. I said, "Because my daddy is voting for him." Needless to say, I was not included in the final video.
I blogged a while back about my novel in progress. There is a moment when a very light-skinned character is described as "white as the president." Maybe I will have to change that line in my next round of revisions.
But before we commence with the group hug, I know that when I was a little girl, I never thought a girl could be president. A lot of sisters I know are really excited that a black woman could be first lady. They are as excited as the Hillary supporters were at the idea of a woman being president.
This world is really complicated. Maybe I'll make some sense of it while I'll away.
Posted at 08:51 AM | Comments (2)
Category:
Current Events
NaFinWriNoMo
As everybody knows, November is National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. All over the world folks are trying to crank out a novel in thirty days. Well, since I am about 320 pages into my novel, I am altering the rules a bit. I hearby institute National Finish Writing Novel Month, or NaFinWriNoMo. I plan to write on the plane, writing when I get there, write on the plane home. It's time to put this baby to bed.
En Route to LaGuardia Links
Posted at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
Travels & Rambles