Tayari's Blog: October 2009
October 31, 2009
NaNoWriMo-- Count Me Out
Tomorrow starts NaNoWriMo-- National Novel Writing Month. The idea is to write a novel in thirty days. I have never been tempted to join in. One reason is that my birthday is in November and the last thing I want to do on my birthday is to slam for an arbitrary deadline. The second reason is more artistic. I cannot imagine that a novel written in thirty days would be any good to read, nor would it be any fun to write. I know someone will comment with some notable masterpiece written in three weeks. (Just as I am writing this, I think I remember someone saying that Their Eyes Were Watching God, was written in twenty-one days or something.)
I understand that imposition of a deadline as a way to motivate folks to actually sit down and write, but I don't think that art really works that way. The idea of writing a novel in a month seems to be more motivated by the desire to want to have written a novel, than the urge to really explore an idea and to develop meaningful characters and plots. It seems more like an impulse to become an "Author" than to really be a writer.
I like the idea of the month of November being devoted to novel writing. I love thinking of thousands of people sitting at their computers and notebooks thinking hard. What I don't like is the idea that a novel should be finished at the end of that month. Let us devote November to novel writing, but let us focus more on trying to structure the month in such a way to be nurturing to our artist-selves. Maybe you will spend the month just daydreaming. Or someone else will get a babysitter on afternoon a week to get some quiet time. Someone else will spend the month reading novels in translation. Yet another person may volunteer her month to reading friends' drafts. You get the idea. Spend November being a more dedicated writer, whatever that looks like.
NaNoWriMo is almost like going on a crash diet to fit into a special dress. You spend two days eating nothing but cabbage soup and feel proud of yourself for dropping ten pounds in ten days or whatever. But have you been properly nourished? Have you learned any new sustainable habits? Nope.
I could also make the analogy about romance. I won't go into the details- I think by now you get the idea. Instead, I'll just quote the SOS Band. "Take your time, do it right."
October 30, 2009
Weekend Reader
Here are some quick links as we glide into the weekend. Sorry the list is so short, but my dance card is pretty full for the next few days and I am devoting an unreasonable amount of time and energy into fixing my hair. I'll be my regular down-to-earth self by Monday, I promise!
October 29, 2009
Go, Go, Jericho!
Last night, I went to the Whiting Awards ceremony. The Whiting has always been a little weird for me. As I understand it, the lucky winners get a magic phone call way back in September and they have to keep it under wraps until the ceremony. The winners are usually folks with one book, sometimes two. At the ceremony the ten writers were described as being at the "start" of their careers. This year, I figured I have sort of aged out of the running, so I could attend the ceremony without feeling like a kid who wasn't picked for the kickball team.
So, with a light heart, I went to the ceremony. On the train ride over, Rigoberto and I were speculating about who the winners would be. I said JERICHO BROWN. Afterall, his debut poetry collection, Please, has won the American Book Award. He's in Cambridge, as a Bunting Fellow. And, simply put, he's brilliant, gorgeous, and everyone loves him. When I walked into the auditorium, there he was and I could not have been more pleased for him.
Another winner was Nami Mun. I was also tickled to death to see her wearing the signature white rose that says "I just won $50,000. I met her a couple of years ago at MacDowell when she was still trying to score an agent. Now look at her.
The charming keynote was given my Margaret Atwood. For the life of me, I can't remember what she said. I thinkshe said something like this work won't make you rich, unless it doees. But if you do it right it will repair your soul. (Or maybe that's my fantasy.) Maybe said said that writing doen right will repair the world. Yeah, I think the latter. She kept glancing behind her at the winners with such affecton that made it feel like we writers are one big happy family and everything is going to work out in the end.
Other winners here. And a few random snapshots here.
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Category:
Living For The City
October 27, 2009
Wiped Out In The Third Round!
Last night, I participated in "Let It Bee", the annual spelling bee to benefit the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses. CLMP is an organization of literary magazines and independent publishers.
Things got off to a rocky start. I took the wrong train, so I had to walk about ten blocks to get to the Diane von Furstenberg Studio. (Thank goodness for Aerosoles!) Once I arrived, I had to give the name of my "plus one." I have been friends with Tyehimba Jess for a million years, but I couldn't spell his name for the guest list. I just blanked. This did not bode well for the bee.
In addition to the spelling bee, there was a silent auction of some really nice items. Fancy designer clothes, purses, and jewelery were available for bid. I also saw a spa weekend. I had my eye on an adorable handbag, but the bidding quickly got a little too rich for my blood. To take the edge off there were fruity drinks and fru-fru snacks.
But on to the bee.
All I really was hoping for was not to wipe out in the first round. My first word was "whirlybird", which I spelled right. I almost blew it, thinking it was a trick question. Other first round survivors included the ultra-charming Victor LaValle and Francine Prose. First round losers included James Frey-- I have to say that I developed some affection for him when I laughed so hard on stage that I spit out my drink. He didn't mock me.
The winner was Ben Greenman, who sat beside me. He even helped cover for me when I was called out for having my blackberry on stage!
The word that send me home: HAWTHORN. I put an "e" on the end.
Posted at 07:39 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
Travels & Rambles
October 26, 2009
Before The Bee Links
The CLMP Spelling Bee is tonight, so I am freaking out. As you know from this blog, I am not the world's best speller and my hair in not in a good state. Here are some links to keep you busy while I get my poor little act together.
October 23, 2009
DORF Factor & One-Negro-At-A-Time Syndrome
I saw this great piece in Slate about the black music that gets featured on NPR. I have long since held that black folks and white folks tend to have different taste in black artists. Well, Josh Weiner has broken it down. He calls it the DORF factor.
In short, he notices that the black music featured on NPR tends to be by artists who are DEAD, OLD, RETRO, or FOREIGN. He also noticed that NPR seems sweet on black folks making music that is associated with white traditions, like Jeez Louise! Black folks singing opera!
I have noticed similar trends in the books by black authors who receive mainstream attention, but I have been reluctant to post about it. The reason is that I wouldn't want to seem to be begruding any black author the benefit of this attention. There is such an impulse to see an African or Carribbean writer getting lots of attention, and think "She's taking my spot!" But the real question is why is there just one spot? Or, why do I feel the need to compete with the other black writer on the list? Why do I not feel that I have been passed over in favor of the other writers on this list? Why can't an African-African writer be on the list alongside and African-Carribbean writer?
That said, the DORF factor is alive and well in literature, too. (The categories are a little bit different. For example, for "Retro" we should substitute "Historical". There should also be a category for black people who are the ONLY ONE-- in thier families, at their jobs, or somewhere.) But the main thrust of the article is that NPR doesn't honor muscians that actual living black people enjoy. (You will see I am not naming any names because I have no grudge against any writer. We are all out here doing the best we can, telling the story that we have to tell.)
This is not to say that no black folks enjoy the books that are reviewed in the NYT or on NPR, but when I look at what people are reading on the subway or in bookclubs, they are seldom the same lists. Obviously there are rule-proving exceptions,but you get the idea. Please note, that I am writing this not to criticize the writers who are featured in these formats. Nor am I suggesting that black readers are unsophisticated, as I reject the idea that NPR and NYT are the arbiters of all things smart. All I'm doing here is pointing out the disconnect.
(Here's the link to the Slate article that inspired this post)
Posted at 09:45 AM | Comments (2)
Category:
The Writing Life
October 21, 2009
Mid-Weeks Links
October 20, 2009
Being Billie: A New Documentary
On Sunday, I went to Ramscale Gallery for a fundraiser for Being 
Billie, a new documentary about Billie Holliday. I was mostly motivated to attend the event because I jump at any opportunity to visit RamScale and secondly because lovely Karma Mayet Johnson would be singing. I am so glad I braved the elements and traveled to Manhattan.
Being Billie offers a fascinating and empowering look at the life of Billie Holliday. Women artists and thinkers such as Angela Davis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Laylah Hathaway, Joni Mitchell, and Nikki Giovanni weigh in on the life and legacy of Lady Day.
All of them pointed out that women artists are so often reduced to the details of thier personal lives. (For contrast think of Miles Davis. His life was a disaster, but it has not tarnished his reputation as a genius.) Billie Holiday is remembered as a tragic figure-- drug addict, bad relationships, etc. But what about her genius? And I am not using the word lightly. When you see this film you will ask yourself this question.
(One of the highlights of the film was Nikki Giovanni irreverently chronicalling the drug use of other stars of the same era. Why, she asks, haven't these artists been smeared for all enternity. As she put it, "They act like Billie Holiday was the first singer to ever be a drug addict.")
Film-maker Phyllis M. Croom was at the event, along with Producer, Rochelle "Rocky" Scott. I was very impressed with the dedication and just hard work they have put into reclaiming Billie Holiday from the "Lady Sings The Blues" melodrama. Of course, passion and dedication don't pay the bills. You can imagine the expenses they have incurred trying to get the rights to music and film clips. They need to raise an additional $75,000 just to finish the project. Everyone one at the event was so moved that we all made donations, but more help is needed.
Visit the Being Billie website for more information. The website is a little tricky to navigate, but if you keep clicking, you'll get to the donation page, so keep clicking.
October 19, 2009
THIS BOOK IS FREE
Yesterday, my friend Cheryl gave me a novel called PUSH COMES TO SHOVE. I flipped to the back to read the description and This is what I read: THIS NOVEL IS FREE. Then, there was the fine print.
By taking this novel, you agree to give money away to a local charity, someone who needs it, or a stranger of the street. Where the money goes and how much you-- that's your call. When you're done, pass this novel on to someone else (for free, of course) so they can give. It all adds up.
This whole project is an experiment by Concord Free Press. The next book on the docket to be published in THE NEXT QUEEN OF HEAVEN by Gregory Maguire, author of WICKED. It looks like they have raised a lot of money for a lot of different charities so far.
PUSH COMES TO SHOVE is the only Concord book I have seen, and I have to admit that I haven't read it. (The Washington Post seemed to like it well enough.) But I can say that it is a handsome looking book-- paperback original with french flaps. It doesn't look "free" if you know I mean.
The catch is that writers do not get paid for their work. So you really would have who doesn't need money, or who has tried to get money for a manuscript, but haven't been able to get a deal. This is not to say that the books by Concord are second rate-- I think we all know someone with a beautiful brilliant manuscript that can't get a deal for it. Concord provides as opportunity to get the work out and to help the world.
It's a good idea. I like it.
October 15, 2009
Congratulations to Jayne Anne Phillips!
The National Book Award finalists have been announced and I am thrilled that my boss, Jayne Anne Phillips, has been nominated for her excellent novel, Lark and Termite. I was a huge fan of Jayne Anne's work before way she became my boss. I recently found an old journal with my life of writerly fantasies. One was "Meet Jayne Anne Phillips", after which I wrote "possible? maybe."
As founding director of the MFA at Rutgers-Newark, Jayne Anne has created a program that has real diversity and real rigor. I don't know how she has done it, but in just two years she has figured how to recruit amazing students. (They are winning major prizes and publishing left and right.) She has also managed to get major writers to hop on the PATH train to participate in our reading series. (Komunyakaa, Doctorow, Diaz, to name just a few. If you live in Newark, you should drop by. The readers and fabulous and the events are free.)
How can she do all that and still write the kind of novels that get two love-letter reviews in the New York Times? Because she's Jayne Anne and she's amazing. We are so proud of her!
Posted at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)
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October 13, 2009
A Memento
I came home from Brazil to find a small box that had been delivered while I was away. I opened it to find the best gift ever-- a quilt sewn by my fifth grade class! My teacher, Ms. Gaither, preserved it all these years, but sent it to me to congratulate me on my novels.
Ms. Gaither-- who signed her letter "Thomasena", but I could never call her that!-- was a teacher who loved books as much as I did. Although we were technically a little old for story-hour, she would read to us in a dramatic and engaging fashion. I can still remember her reading The Pinballs and Philip Hall Like Me, I Reckon Maybe. When I do readings, Mrs. Gaither's delivery is what I aim for.
Although it was thirty years ago, I do recall the making of this quilt. My block was the one on the second row depicting a telephone. I wanted to do the boy and the girl on the top row-- they represented my favorite book that year, Alan and Naomi, but it was already taken. if you look in the lower right hand corner, you can see the blue ribbon we won in the city-wide Language Arts Festival!
I've tacked the quilt to the wall in my writing room. I consider it a vital souvineer of my personal history. Thank you so much, Ms. Gaither-- not just for sending the quilt, but for caring enough to keep it, and for being so kind to me when I was an awkward little girl with overly large teeth and an overly sensitive heart.
Posted at 08:07 AM | Comments (4)
Category:
The Writing Life
October 12, 2009
Watch Out, Akeelah!
On Monday, October 26, I am going to compete in "Let It Bee", a spelling bee to benefit the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses. (I have to admit that I came *this close* to writing "Celebrity Spelling Bee", but that seemed to be a bit of an overstatement. But still, I will be up against some pretty exciting folks!)
When I was a kid, my teacher insituted a "definition bee" to benefit the more "abstract thinkers" in the class. I think you can guess where I fit in. AND, as you probably know from reading this poor blog, spelling is not my strong suit, but I am going to do my best to represent.
More information here!
Back To Life Links
Hey everybody, I'm back. I've got over 500 emails to answer, one really junky apartment to clean, and grant application to write, and about five pounds to lose because I ate everything I saw in Brazil. Meanwhile, here's some good reading for you while I get my act back together.
Posted at 08:10 AM | Comments (1)
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October 08, 2009
Crazy As a Bunch of Cliantro
Here it is, the next-to-last day of my visit to Recife, Brazil and I am just updating this blog. My schedule has been so hectic. When I havent been giving a reading, I have been in my hotel room asleep from a major FOOD COMA because Recife has the best restaurants I have experienced in my whole life. I may have to write a blog post about what all I ate here. Really.
I am at an internet cafe being charged by the second, so this is going to be a really brief and random update. (For more brief randomness, follow me on twitter, where I am even briefer and more random!)
Posted at 06:17 AM | Comments (4)
Category:
Travels & Rambles
October 04, 2009
Events in Recife Brazil
I'm headed to Recife, Brazil today to give a series of readings and lectures. Since most of my events are at universities, I expect to have access to internet, so I can hopefully update the blog. (I miss y'all!) Meanwhile, in case anyone reading this is in Brazil and isn't too busy celebrating the Olympic decision, here is my schedule:
Monday, October 5. "The Writer and Her Teachers and Her Students: Reflections on Pedagogy." Catholic University. 7:30 pm
Tuesday, October 6. "Remembering The Atlanta Child Murders: Literature as Advocacy." Federal University of Parnambuco. 9:00 am.
Tuesday, October 6. "The Role of the African American Writer", Pernambuco Book Festival. 3:00 pm
Wednesday, October 7. "Remembering The Atlanta Child Murders: Literature as Advocacy." Joaquim Nabuco Foundation. 9:00 am
Wednesday, October 7. "The Role of the African American Writer", Cultura Book Store, 7:30 pm.
Thursday, October 8. "Literature, Advocacy, and Pedagogy." Catholic University, 9:00 am.
Thursday, October 8. "Remembering The Atlanta Child Murders: Literature as Advocacy." Binational Center Brazil American Association, 7:00 pm.
October 03, 2009
Saturday Night Links
If I Wasn't Going to Be Out of Town Next Week
I would so be at this!
Thursdat, October 8, Cornelia Street Cafe, in NYC:
6:00PM QUETZAL QUILL: An Evening of Poetry Rigoberto Gonzales, hostBLAS FALCONER, A Question of Gravity and Light
TYEHIMBA JESS, leadbelly
HELENA MESA, Horse Dance Underwater
SUSAN B.A. SOMERS-WILLET, Roam & QuiverCover $7 (includes one house drink)
When you go, make sure you tell them I sent you.
Posted at 08:42 PM | Comments (0)
Category:
Living For The City
October 01, 2009
Opportunity Alert, but the Deadline is TIGHT
I just got this notice, so the deadline is TODAY, but I think it's worth posting. If you get some coffee in you, you can meet the deadline to apply for The Millay Colony for the arts.
All of you know that I love to go artists colonies and I recommend them to anyone who needs to get away and concentrate on work. The Millay Colony is special because they don't want a list of your accomplishments, or letters of reference. All they want is your work. This is an excellent opportunity for writers (and other artists) who are concerned that thier non-traditional backgrounds would put them at a disadvantage. The Millay Colony doesn't care who you know, what you've published, or where you've been. Just send your work.
Application and details, here.
Posted at 07:20 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
The Writing Life