Tayari's Blog: June 2009
June 30, 2009
It's PayBack Time
I was going to include this in the links, but I think I should post it by itself. Today is the end of the fiscal year. Please go to the website of your undergraduate institution and make a donation. The schools are able to receive more funds based on the PERCENTAGE of alumni who give back. So even if you give just $10, you are considered active and that ups the numbers.
My Spelman Sisters, and other HCBU grads, it's time to step up and you have to do it TODAY. Here is the link to the Spelman site. Just do it. It won't take but a minute. Think about what you got from Spelman, Morehouse, Southern, FAMU, Hampton, Howard, etc. Was it worth five minutes and a little bit of money?
Just give.
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Category:
Community Service
Glenda The Good Links
June 29, 2009
Twit Hits and Table Flips
On Twitter yesterday, I noticed that novelist Alice Hoffman was not in such a great mood. The Boston Globe 
had given her new book a bad review. Hoffman called the reviewer a "moron" and even posted the reviewer's email address and phone numbers. I think we can call that putting out a Twit-Hit. (Gawker has the full story.)
Almost everybody in the twitterverse disapproved of Hoffman's reaction. About a month ago, Hoffman also complained on twitter about the treatment she received from Washington Post Book Review. Ron Charles, editor of that review, responded to her via twitter. (I must say he was very professional on that occaision, although he did loosen up a bit yesterday.)
I will admit that I thought Hoffman was coloring outside the lines a bit, but there was a part of me that was weirdly envious. It was exactly how I felt watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Remember on the finale when Teresa flipped that table? Haven't we all wanted to flip a table, but were too scared, too bourgie, too careful to do it?
When my first book came out, I got a sort of stupid review in The Washington Post. My poor little feelings were so hurt! Not only did the reviewer downplay the historical significance of The Atlanta Child Murders, but he also said that my writing was pretentious. There were also little factual mistakes. (For example, he identified Kenny as Octavia's stepfather, when he is actually an uncle.) It really made me want to flip a table. I am just really grateful that Twitter wasn't invented back in 2002. Twitter makes it way too easy to show the world your private petulant self.
But the question about the medium of twitter doesn't really address whether or not you should respond to reviewers.
I am not convinced that it helps you out at all, unless the reviewer did something that was ideologically problematic. Let's say the reviewer did something racially offensive. I think you can respond to that because it seems to be a matter of ideas, rather an issue of wounded feelings or personal taste. Also, I think responding to a bad review only brings attention to it. So Sensible Tayari is going to conclude that no, you shouldn't tweet in response to a negative review.
But Crazy Tayari says, flip that table, girl.
Posted at 08:30 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
The Writing Life
June 25, 2009
RIP, MJ
A more articulate response later. Here is me, Tyehimba & Nichelle remembering Michael Jackson the best way we know how.
Posted at 07:55 PM | Comments (2)
Category:
Current Events
June 24, 2009
Mid-Week Links
I've been a little quiet lately. Trying to revise a 400 page manuscript is sort of distracting. Please forgive. Here are some pretty good links.
Literary Flashbacks
I just got my contributor's copy of Shelf Discovery: The Teen 
Classics We Never Stopped Reading. This cool collection,grew from Lizzie Skurnick's "Fine Lines" column in Jezebel. In this column she revisited all her favorite teen reads as an adult. (My favorite was her look at My Sweet Audrina.)
Anyhoo, in Shelf Discovery, she has asked other grown up ladies to say why they loved the books they did when they were teenagers. I wrote about Forever, by Judy Blume. I thought about writing a plug for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. To this day it reamains one of my favorite books in the whole entire world. But Forever did a little something for me, if you know what I mean. Here's a quick excerpt from my essay.
When I was about eleven years old, my mother gave me The Talk. I am not exactly clear in my memory, but I believe that my father was in the room too. This was their idea of being enlightened parents—having a very sane and sober discussion with their on-the-brink-of-puberty daughter about sex, although they didn’t call it that. “Sexual intercourse” was the term they used and they explained it the way that you might explain the workings of a combustion engine. When they walked away, proud of themselves for being so much open their parents had been, I was somewhat underwhelmed. I understood how babies were made. I’d picked up a few extra bits of vocabulary like “ovary” and “spermatozoa”, but I had no idea why on earth people were having this sexual intercourse in the first place.
The gist of the essay is that I read Forever, and the whole sex thing made a little more sense.
June 22, 2009
What An Inspiring Class
Last week in Provincetown at the Fine Arts Work Center I led a workshop called "Tales From The Kidscape." At first, I was a little worried that teaching would sort of undermine the creative energy I had stored up from my month on Martha's Vineyard. I was worried for nothing. My class was made of up five remarkable women writers.
We were that rare class that just sort of clicked. I think it was because each of them approached the work of their classmates with an open and generous heart. All of us-- me included -- left Provincetown as a better writer than we were when we got there.
The snapshots above are mostly taken at the student readings when my class rocked the house. I was so proud that I thought I might just burst into flames. Their enthusiasm was contagious. After the class was over, I changed my plans, leaving P-town a day early so that I could get home and spend some quality time with my manuscript.
Posted at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
The Writing Life
June 21, 2009
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
In the past I have posted stories about my daddy on Father's Day. Here is the one when he sewed me into my dress so I could attend a cocktail party at E. Lynn Harris's condo. And here is the story about the time had to modify a children's rhyme because I was overly sensitive and couldn't stand the idea of a little piggie crying "wee, wee, wee."
Well, today, I wanted to show you a little more about my father's true passions, his real love. And on that note, on this day, I give you this snapshot of Mack Henry Jones and his beloved iPod.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy.
Posted at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
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June 19, 2009
Just Say NO
Alan Rinzler has a post up today urging all writers to buy a subscription to Publisher's Marketplace. I am on the other side of this conversation, urging you to leave that crack alone. I call it crack because it's really bad for you, yet strangely alluring. So trust me, just back away.
Publisher's Marketplace is a daily (I think) archive letting you know who is making what deals in publishing. Agents report their sales and use language like "major deal." PM reports who has been hired and fired in the biz. In my opinion, it is nothing but a source for anxiety-triggers that will not help you write your book.
Rinzler says that writers need to know what's selling now, but what can you do with that information? If you hear that publishers are paying top dollar for novels involving primates, are you going to change the main character in your novel into a gibbon? Really, if you are working on a book, what could you possibly read on that web page that will help you make it to the end of your next page?
I have an associate who constantly scans industry news. She is always talking about how much money different people receive in book deals. She is obsessed with who wins all the contests and prizes. She is one of the most anxious people I have ever met in my life. I had to stop hanging around her because that sort of information-fueled crazy is contagious!
On the other hand, I have a friend who is always reading interviews, essays, blogs, etc about writers. She almost always has an interesting (and often inspiring) comment about the process of writing. She says things like, "Do you know what Ann Petry said about beginning a new chapter?" This is the kind of writer-friend you need. I love getting emails from her directing me to websites. She is an excellent example of the ways that information can be good for you.
If you must subscribe to Publishing Marketplace, do it when you have a finished draft in your hand and you are looking to find the best home for your already completed manuscript. But me, I leave that stuff up to my agent.
Posted at 10:19 AM | Comments (2)
Category:
The Writing Life
June 17, 2009
Wednesday Reader
Greetings from Provincetown. I am here working, not playng, so I don't have much time to blog. Also, I am busy freezing to death because summer hasn't found it's way to New England! But even though I haven't been able to blog, others have, and here are some pretty tasty links:
June 13, 2009
Heading Out (again)
Well, everybody, this is it for my time on Martha's Vineyard. The sun was kind enough to shine, so I had one realy good beach day before I left. I definitely give this place two thumbs up as a writing haven. The natural beauty is really nurturing. In addition, it's a little slow here, so it's easy to focus. At the same time, it's not so slow that you are ready to pull your hair out just for entertainment. I will say, however, that it is very expensive to spend a significant amount of time on the island. In a way, that also helps the writing. I stayed right here in my little apartment-- cooking my own meals, pouring my own Chardonnay.
Now I am en route to Provincetown, Massachusetts where I will teach a one-week class called Tales From The Kidscape, which is all about the coming-of-age story. I have already seen the stories that the students have submitted and I can tell you that the class is going to be great.
(Did I ever post a thank you for helping me get the word out about the class? If case I didn't: THANK YOU! Y'all really came through and I appreciate it.)
If you're on Cape Cod, consider yourself invited to my reading on Monday. Here are the details:
7pm at the Fine Arts Work Center
24 Pearl Street
Provincetown, Massachusetts
I'd love to see you there!
P.S. I only *wish* I was boating to P-town. I will be driving my raggedy little car, affectionately called "The Bucket."
Posted at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
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June 11, 2009
"It's Time To Play The Music" Links
Anne, Kill The Trolls While You're At It
I'm sorry, everyone for not having much to blog about. Finishing a draft of the book has left me sort of drained and aimless. When I was working on the draft, I woke up every morning with a mission. Now I wake up and make myself go back to sleep. 5am is the hour for working writers, not folks who have finished a draft. Even worse, 5am with no work to do, is the hour that the doubting voices pop up.
My friend, Anne, who blogs at Fernham, posted a piece today about how a mean thing someone said to her has haunted her for years. I think she is really brave for posting about it. I urge you to read her post. (And leave her a comment, if you can.)
I think we all struggle with letting go of past slights. One of the most terrifying things about being a published author is that people say harsh things about you in print. I am still sort of tender about the Washington Post review of Leaving Atlanta. I wonder when I'll get over my cousin who responded to news that I had published a novel like this: "A book! Wow. Congratualtions! I bet you scare all the men away. I nobody wants to take you on a date."
I know that this is not true, but these are the kinds of reminders that trolls like to whisper in my ear at 5 am. I think it's important to understand that these trolls are out there to sabotage your artist. I think it's worth noting that I rehash these offenses when I am not working. When I am working my muse, my heart, and my focus win the day. The trolls can't even fix thier ugly little faces utter one discouraging word. It's only when I am not moving forward, when I am not dedicating myslef to reaching the next goal that they make their profane little voices heard.
June 09, 2009
Lighthouse Links
Socks On The Hands
Now that I have a draft of my next novel, The Silver Girl, the next stage is to read the entire manuscript, twice. The first time, I'll read it through with my pencil, making changes. Then, I'll read the whole thing aloud, with my fountain pen, making changes. I am thinking this whole process should take about sixty days. The frustrating thing is that the manuscript has to sit at least two weeks before I start fiddling with it. I need to let some new ideas sprout.
It's not like there are not other things to do. Right now-- thanks to a busted knee-- I am lying in bed reading the entries for the Kore Press fiction contest. (Excellent entries. It will be hard to pick just one.) I'm also getting my materials together for my Provincetown class, "Tales From the Kidscape." We're reading ZZ Packer, Doreen Baingana, Michael Cunningham, Ron Carlson (how do I love thee?), Julie Orringer, and others. There is so much good writing out there that features young protagonists. Do you have any other suggestions?
All that said, it is taking every ounce of self-control to keep from picking up my manuscript again. It reminds me of when I had chicken pox as a little girl and someone had to put socks over my hands to keep me from scratching.
And, sorry folks. No links today. The internet seems to be in a slump.
Posted at 10:43 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
Travels & Rambles
June 07, 2009
I Made It To The End of THE SILVER GIRL !!
Is there any greater satisfaction than typing the words, "THE END"? Of course, finshing the draft is only the first step, but it's a Giant Step!
June 05, 2009
Sweet Lorraine Links
June 04, 2009
I'm Available!
3 Good Reasons to Move to NYC
If you lived in NYC, you could attend all three of these great literary events, each to benefit an excellent cause.
Posted at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
Living For The City
June 03, 2009
Live Big Links
I am going to take myself on a little lunchie-play date today. But in the meantime here are some links:
Insult or Injury-- You Can't Have Them Both.
I got an email from a reader asking me to write more about the process of writing my novel. I have been reluctant to turn this blog into a sort of writing journal. Writing journals are boring-- I should know, I keep one. However, I do sometimes write something there that may be interesting and helpful to other writers. So here is one such entry.
Insult or Injury?
I was working today on a scene in which Chaurrise and her mom go to buy a special occaision dress, only to discover that they are too large to fit the dresses in the store. I had to play it easy with this scene. As the famous book said "Fat is A Feminist Issue" and if I hit it too hard, the reader may feel preached at and forget at Chaurisse and her mom.
In real life, all of us larger gals have had the experience of going into a boutique and enduring not only the embarrassment of not being able to fit the clothes, but also having to deal with a snotty sales person, to boot. On more than one occaision in NYC, the salesgirl has looked up from her magazine and announced to me, before I can even look on the racks: "We only go up to an eight."
The problem with writing the scene is that the disappointment of not being able to find a dress coupled with a mean saleswoman would make the story about the tyrany of body expectations and not Chaurisse and her mom. So what I did was make the salesgirl sort of nice. She is uncomfortable as soon as Chaurisse and her mom walk in the store, but doesn't say anything. Chaurisse thinks it is racism and she and her mom try to give clues that they can, in fact, afford such fancy clothes. When they realize the thing about the sizes they are embarassed and so is the salesgirl.
"What size do these dresses go up to?" I asked. She squeezed her eyes almost shut. "Ten?"
So with just that question mark, I establish that every person in this scene is a human being. Instead of adding insult to injury, I chose between the two. I don't think I sugar-coated the situation, but I just turned the volume on the injustice down enough for us to hear the characters talk,think, and feel.
June 02, 2009
Broadside Links
June 01, 2009
Marie Mutsuki Mockett, #3 of the Amazing 8
Here is another installment of "The Amazing Eight." Marie Mutsuki Mockett is the author of Picking Bones From Ash which will be published by Graywolf Press in September.
Marie Mutsuki Mockett is a writer who lives in New York. Her fiction, essays and poetry have been published or are forthcoming in Agni, Epoch, South Dakota Review, New Delta Review, North Dakota Quarterly, The Portland Review, LIT, The Texas Review, Primavera, Blue Mesa, Carquinez Poetry Review, The Distillery, Fugue, The Ledge, West Wind Review, The Griffin, and Berkeley Poetry Review.
Now you have a listing of her accomplishments, but I urge you to trot over to her webpage and read the more personal account of her journey that is posted there.
Below is her essay about publishing her debut novel as a grown woman. It's called "The Perfect Age To Get Published." I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
(author photo by the incredible genius Rachel Elliza Griffiths.)
Posted at 06:02 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
Guest Bloggers
The Perfect Age To Get Published
I wrote the first draft of my novel when I was thirty-one. My 
husband, who is Scottish and warm and funny but schooled in that British way, read the early manuscript and murmured: “Hmm. I like this one paragraph.” So I put the novel aside, then wrote and published short stories for a while. At thirty-five, I dragged the manuscript back out again. The one paragraph is the only thing from the original draft that is still in my book.
I had always wanted to be a writer, and I sometimes wonder if I might have succeeded earlier in life if I’d attended an MFA program in my youth. We’ll never know. Instead, I worked a variety of jobs—test prep question writer, online store manager, non-profit administrator, failed antique picker—while writing in the corporate toilet stall, on the weekends and during company meetings. When I was disappointed or hurt by rejection, I would try to remind myself to take the long view; it takes time to become a writer, and many of the people I admire have had long careers.
In the beginning, I was often told what many female writers hear: I was talented, but my writing was “too quiet.” I revised. An editor rejected me because she “already had a half-Asian writer.” I was devastated. Much as I loved this other writer’s work, I knew that our material was different. Would anyone else notice? Another editor rejected my book because: “I have just had a child and I cannot accept what the mother in your book has done.” I tried to tell myself that another editor would not confuse her personal experience with an unmarketable product. These rejections were often paired with variations of this one line: “I know someone else will publish this work with the enthusiasm it deserves,” which I dismissed as an empty compliment. As I got to know other writers who had been through the same grueling process, I learned they too had heard the same semi-praise. When I finally met my editor Fiona McCrae, from Graywolf, I was absolutely positive I wanted to work with her. She understood what I was writing, and saw ways to strengthen the novel that meshed completely with my vision. I was relieved. And then I was grateful for all the other rejections that had kept me from working with someone who might not have been a good fit for my book.
My wonderful agent said to me earlier this year, “Sweetheart, you are the perfect age to get started.” I think I know what she means. As writers and artists, it’s our job to develop a vision of the world—to see what others are missing. This is the kind of thing that takes time, and that you cannot learn in school. It’s wonderful to see a writer like Kazuo Ishiguro, for example, turning out even more probing material as he matures. I do not mean that younger writers don’t manage complexity, because of course I can think of plenty of examples where they do. It’s just to say that writing generally takes time and can be painfully slow. About the only thing you can really control is the quality and uniqueness of your work. Make this your focus, and I really and truly believe that you too will find someone who will publish your book with the “enthusiasm it deserves.”
Posted at 06:01 AM | Comments (3)
Category:
Guest Bloggers