Show & Tell Friday: the Labor Day Weekend Edition

Happy Labor Day Weekend, everyone!

I love this weekend, for many reasons.

1) Because it makes it seem like we've still got a little bit of summer left, even though everyone's back at school and the air has started to take on that undefinable heading-into-Fall quality.

2) Because we always head to my family's lake house in the South Carolina Blue Ridge mountains for some much needed swim, boat, ski (okay, so I may not ski this year, what with having had a baby almost 4 months ago and all) and down time with family and friends.

And 3) because it's the start of football season.

Clemson.edu

Yes, I am one of those people. I worship at the altar of college football. For me, it's the Clemson Tigers all the way.

 

I'm an alumna. It's in my blood, and it's in my family's blood (my great-grandfather was mayor of the town of Clemson for 17+ years). We even named my baby daughter for the Tigers. Really, her middle name is Tiger, and it's my great-grandmother's maiden name--but still. We're diehards, so it works.

Yes, you may not be Clemson fans. Probably aren't. But you may share my love of college football. Or football in general. Or not. But bear with me.

I LOVE college football! I LOVE Fall! I LOVE college football in the Fall! GO TIGERS!!!!
Okay, all done.


Some cool stuff to share today:

 

1.) A brief history of Labor Day

yourlocalcolor.biz

The U.S. Department of Labor tells it like this: "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." Started by the municipal courts, Labor Day legislation wasn't passed by Congress until June 28, 1884.

Here's what was really happening: at this time in history, the Industrial Revolution, the average worker worked his or her fanny off over extremely long hours and for little pay--we're talking 12 hours a day, 7 days a week just to eke out a living. Children as young as 5 and 6 years old toiled in factories, mills and mines to help bring in money for their families--for a tiny fraction of the wage an adult would earn (which wasn't much to begin with). Can you imagine your elementary-schooler hauling coal in the pitch depths of a mine? I can't. Most workers lacked access to basic good working conditions, like clean air, water, and toilets. The hardest hit were often immigrants. Labor unions began to form because of this, and the Labor Day holiday was born.

For the real story behind one of the icons of labor workers, the WWII image of "Rosie the Riveter," click here.

Today, we mostly celebrate by going to parades, eating hotdogs, hanging out at the beach/lake/park, and consuming adult beverages. We've come a long way, baby.

* Information gleaned from history.com & the U.S. DOL.

 
2.) For the writers...

There's an interview with memoirist and novelist Joan Wickersham in the September issue of The Writer's Chronicle that I think is definitely worth checking out, especially for those of us who struggle with the dreaded "writer's block" (to put it simply, though I kind of abhor that term). In the interview, Wickersham talks about the pressure we put on ourselves as writers to mine inspiration, especially when inspiration doesn't come, and how that pressure is expounded by the evidence of other writers getting it done.

She says, "Yes, you get stuck. I think for writers, or any kind of artist, to be honest with each other is a gift. Because the fear is that you're going to say 'I had a horrible day,' and the person is going to say, 'I never have horrible days.'"

P.S. I'm a subscriber and big fan of The Writer's Chronicle, which is published by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs. The articles and essays are always top-notch, many written by the best writer-teachers in the field (psst ... the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts tends to publish there a lot).

 

blog.laptopmag.com

3.) New board on Pinterest

 

If you haven't discovered Pinterest yet, you're in for a treat. It's like a massive, online pin-up board where you can share and collect anything and everything that interests you about anything and everything. I've posted several boards, and my newest one has to do with the sequel to Keowee Valley, which I'm working on--slowly, but surely; did I mention slowly?--these days. By no means complete, I'm going to add images that I'm using to inspire me, or images that may have something to do with the story. But that's all I'm gonna share.

Because I'm a believer in the "if you talk about your work-in-progress-too-much-the-bad-juju-will-get-you" rule.

Check out my Keowee Valley ... the Sequel board here, and see what sorts of adventures I plan to cook up for Quinn, Jack, Ridge Runner and the rest.

 

blog.sportsbookadvisor.com

4.)  ESPN Game Day at Clemson University

 

I know, I know. Enough with the Clemson. But I can't help it. It's a very happy disease.

Saturday, ESPN Game Day will be at my alma mater, Clemson University, to showcase the biggest opening football game of the 2013 season: Clemson v. UGA, in Clemson's Death Valley. Students waited in line 164 hours to get their football tickets this year! And here's what USA Today had to say about it.

 
I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, and well-earned Labor Day holiday!

Show & Tell Friday (okay, Thursday) - The Local Edition

* I’m posting this today because I’ll be away from my desk all day tomorrow. Enjoy!

Oh, Spring has officially sprung! (Winter, cover your ears.)

This week it hit a high of 82 in my mountains–yes, I like to call them mine, sort of like Stephen, the mad Irishman in the movie Braveheart, who calls Ireland “my island.” Love that guy.


Anyway, the birds are singing, dogs barking in glee, flowers blooming, and the walkers, runners and bikers are out in full force. What a glorious time of year!
 



Some fabulous things to share today, mostly regional/local. Enjoy!

1.) I’m a graduate of Clemson University, and I earned a double degree in both English and

Speech & Communications Studies, which was a relatively new major when I was there. So I was thrilled to discover that Clemson University’s Debate Team won the National Educational Debate Association’s national tournament! For the last six years, this title has been won by Ball State, but my Tigers–a rookie team just started in 2012–took it this year. As a grad, I love it when my alma mater does well. Check them out here.
 

2.) Writers, check out debut author Shannon Huffman Polson’s post at SheWrites about the publishing process of her first book, which also coincided with a miscarriage. It’s a memoir called North of Hope, and Huffman’s story of the book coming to life–and of her personal journey as a mother–is well worth reading.

 





3.) The Assault on the Carolinas, Brevard NC’s big bad road race, is this weekend!

Everyone is gearing up, including local breweries and bands. Head to the mountains for a racing good time!
 




4.) The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest will have its opening day this Saturday, April 13th. Step back in time to the days of the first forestry school in America. There’ll be Percheron draft horses plowing the fields, old-time fiddle music, arts and crafts, and so many other cool Blue Ridge traditions to discover along the Biltmore Campus Trail! For more information, click here.

On a side note, my entire family and I are big fans of Pisgah National Forest, and of the Cradle. It’s cool enough having a national forest as your unofficial back yard, but the Cradle hosts an innumerable amount of fun events over the course of the Spring, summer and Fall. If you’re from nearby, it’s a no brainer to head on up to cooler heights. And if not, believe me when I tell you, it’s worth the drive!

Don’t believe me? Here’s a shot of my daughter from the Forest Festival Day and International Woodsmen’s Meet back in October. The dimples only appear when she’s really happy.

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Show & Tell Friday - The Ides of March Edition

The Death of Caesar by Vincenzo Camuccini

Ah, the infamous ides of March: the first month of the year in the original Roman calendar (the Romans celebrated the New Year from March 1st until today), the day in 44 B.C. when Julius Caesar was assassinated by members of the Senate (thank goodness our senators are a bit more well-behaved … though some would argue, not by much), and the feast day of the year’s particular goddess.

Mostly, though, we know of the “Ides” because of Shakespeare’s bloody and fascinating play Julius Caesar. (What, you’ve not read it since high school–or at all? Get thee to a library!) He gives us an up close and personal view of the B.C. formula for taking down a dictator.

And people think a study of history is worthless. Pshaw.

On to today’s edition of “Show & Tell Friday.” Last week, I gave you a new book, a poem, and some great music. Today I’ve got some good stuff to share, too:

1) The Girls of Atomic City: the Untold Story of the Girls Who Helped Win WWII by Denise Kiernan

My grandmother was one of those “girls,” so this book holds special meaning for me and my family–especially my mother and her three sisters. My Grandmama Jean moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, just out of college, recruited to work there in the war effort. As a family, we’ve returned many times to “the Secret City” where my mom and aunts were raised, and where my grandparents met–he a scientist on the Manhattan Project (the atomic bomb). My sister and I bought this book for my mom as an early Mother’s Day present. I hope she reads fast, so I can get it next.

2) Have you heard yet about the “Harlem Shake,” a YouTube dance craze sweeping pretty much the world lately? Sure, it’s becoming a bit passe, but still a whole lot of fun to watch. Check out the students at Clemson University doing their version:

www.aotc.org

3) Hundreds of road bikers will descend on our little mountain town of Brevard, N.C. April 12-13th for the 14th Annual Assault on the Carolinas. Races include 100k, 60k, and 40k routes, the 100k race stretching down the Blue Ridge Escarpment into S.C. and back up the notorious Caesar’s Head State Park. Several events occur during the weekend, including access to locally-brewed beers and live music. There’ll also be a lack of parking space and lots of fit men wandering around town in very tight pants.

Brevard has become a mecca for road and mountain bikers alike; many of my friends and neighbors have become honestly obsessed with the sport, going on long rides every weekend and even weekdays. They are most definitely, as my buddy and neighbor Adria says, “All eat up with biking.”

4) And finally, some quotes for your Friday. Because I can’t resist quotes. I papered the walls of my college dorm room with quotes. (Apologies to Lisa, my roommate who put up with them.)

In addition to holding the Ides of March, the month of March is also home to Women’s History Month and Albert Einstein’s birthday. So, in honor of both these lauded events, some sayings:

“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.” ~ Susan B. Anthony

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” ~ Dolly Parton

“About age thirty, most women think about having children and most men think about dating them.” ~ Judy Carter

“Please know that I am aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When the fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.”~ Amelia Earhart

“I’d much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they’re first to be rescued off sinking ships.” ~ Gilda Radner

And these from Albert Einstein …

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”

“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Happy weekend, y’all!

New Author Interview

A great time was had by all Saturday at the Aiken County Library! Many thanks to the wonderful folks, including Library Manager Michael Swan and the Friends of the Aiken County Library, who put it all together.

Afterwards, I was interviewed by the Aiken Standard. (And the reporter was a fellow Clemson grad, though much, much younger than me.)

Check it out: http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130127/AIK0101/130129577/1031/author-speaks-about-her-book-research.

Please note that I usually look better than this. (Okay, somewhat better than this.) I am very pregnant.

One of the highlights of the trip was the fact that my in-laws surprised me by driving up from their home on Hilton Head Island to be there for the event! We had a lovely dinner afterwards at the West Side Bowery, a downtown Aiken staple since the 1980s. Our waiter--a daddy himself--went out of his way to make us feel welcome, and even managed to prevent a full-on 3 year-old meltdown by my daughter by stirring (non-alcoholic) strawberry daiquiri mix into her lemonade so she could have "pink" lemonade.

Bless you, sir.

The Forest for the Trees: Editing a Novel. Or, the Coffee I.V.

“When you write a book, you spend day after day scanning and identifying the trees. When you’re done, you have to step back and look at the forest.”   
 ~ Stephen King, from On Writing

Throughout the month of March, my editor at Bell Bridge Books and I have been deep in the editing process with KEOWEE VALLEY. This has been a month of late nights and early mornings, of less exercise and more time at the desk, of red-rimmed eyes and deeper wrinkles. I wouldn't change it for a thing.

William Faulkner, notorious drinking writer that he was, once said that when he was writing, he "always kept [his] whiskey within reach." I can relate to this. If not for the toddler, husband, dog, house, and job, I'd likely spike my coffee in the morn and partake heavily of the vino at night. But my drug of choice, especially during the editing process, is straight-up coffee.

Coffee. Sweet, sweet nectar of the gods.

The first time I drank coffee was finals week my freshman year at Clemson University. My dorm-mates and I had plugged in a coffee pot in the study room on our hall and had a friend wedge a chair under the door knob outside, to lock us in. I had a lot of excess energy in those days, and I'm pretty sure I remember my friends beating on the door, begging the girls outside to get me out of there after I'd had a few cups. I'm pretty sure there were random push-ups, jogging-in-place, and the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" involved. I'm sorry, college friends. So very sorry.

Now that the editing process is (basically) over on my novel, I can say I know without a shadow of doubt that there are two things every author needs after her novel's been bought:

1. Coffee. Lots of it. Perhaps entering through an I.V.

2. A great editor.

Luckily, I have both of these. Not the I.V. of course. That would be icky.

College, now that we've broached the subject, was the first time I ever dreamed about what it'd be like to work with an editor. I'd been writing novels and novellas (mostly in spiral notebooks under my desk in science classes) since I was 11 years old, but until I became an English major and began having real discussions about my writing with my professors, I'd never considered the nuts-and-bolts realities of writing as a career.

Up to now, oddly enough, despite the fact I've published work in newspapers, magazines and literary journals, and have been lucky enough to win some awards, I'd never really had my writing edited. Unless you consider the copyeditors at the newspaper where I worked right out of college standing over my desk late on Sunday nights, frowning down at me. The conversation usually went like this:

Them: "Uh, Katie. You can't use this word. It has three syllables."

Me: "Why not? It's a great word."

Them: Silence.

Me: "Shouldn't we elevate the standards of our readership? You know, write to our readers' best selves?"

Them: Silence.

Joking aside (though that was no-lie, real conversation I had several times as a 23 year-old reporter), they still didn't really edit my writing much. No one ever did.

Until now.

Until my novel. My baby. My sweet little 450+ page darling.

I thought it'd be harder, I really did. Family members used to joke with me over the holidays when my writing career was in its youthful beginnings (everyone knew I wanted to write books): "How are you going to feel about being edited?" they'd ask, as if I wouldn't be able to take it.

The truth is, when it came time--finally--for my first novel to be edited, I was more than ready. I relished the process. Because good editors, great editors, make your work better. And if you've an editor like mine, who actually takes the time to explain the choices/changes because she remembers what it was like to be a first-time author, you learn infinitely. And you get better.

I like the King quote at the top of this post because 1) I'm in the forest a lot, and 2) I now know what he means... in a way I wouldn't have years ago.

Because I've been writing an historical novel, I get lost--happily--in research. I like knowing what tree grew where along the Cherokee Path that my protagonist takes into the wild backcountry, like learning about the deadly sandbars her ship would have to pass at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, love discovering that there were black wolves, panthers and elk, and even bison roaming the South Carolina Upcountry in the 1700s. This sort of stuff is my literary crackrock.

I'm also a fan of words. Big, beautiful words that some folks may have to look up. (Can you see my old copyeditor frowning? She wore a permanent scowl when it came to me. Also a uni-brow.) My editor showed me that there's a place and time for these words. That sometimes, readers don't want to look things up; that sometimes, these types of words distract from the flow of action, eject the reader from the story like a big, fat stone in a medieval catapult. And no writer wants to catapult her reader over the moat. Especially me. I want them to keep reading.

This is only one example of the many ways I'm learning about popular/commercial fiction versus literary fiction, about how to make a story better. About how to respect my readers. I've got a heckuva lot to learn. And I've had a great editor guiding me. (Thank you, writing gods. The sacrifice will be left by the back door.)

There's much more work to be done on KEOWEE VALLEY before it's published in September. And I'll keep y'all posted. But for now, it's back to my coffee and my next novel. Where, hopefully, I'll have learned enough to consider the whole darn forest.