Party, Party, Par-ty. Party, Party, Par-ty. (Conga line) YES! This party is ALL about having fun with writers and winning autographed books. It is world wide, everyone is invited...EVERYONE!
Late in the day yesterday, Connie donated a second autographed book. Our winners are: Ta-Da! Nick and Andrew. Congratulations guys! That is sooooo cool to have men so interested in Breast Cancer. All us women think you two rock! (email me, please)
Irene Watson is an amazing woman. I found Irene years ago when I was doing my usual thing of really-really reading websites. I saw a link to ReaderViews.com, a book review company that Irene runs. In exploring at RV, I somehow came across the fact that Irene had written a memoir. Call me crazy - but reading and dyslexia are like oil and water - I had never read a memoir, so I bought Irene's book, The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference.
As the only surviving child of Ukrainian immigrant parents living in Canada, Sitting Swing tells the story of Irene's childhood and the far reaching effects it had on her as an adult.
Her website says: Irene Watson's pretentious life could go no further until she faced her own past. Her inspiring memoir begins at the end, in a recovery center, where she has gone to understand a childhood fraught with abuse, guilt, and uncertainty. http://irenewatson.com/
Later, when I was looking for a good review service for my books, I went back to ReaderViews.com. I had a question or something about the process and Irene answered it.
Over time, our friendship has been one of frank discussions about the publishing industry in general and the indie corner in particular. Irene is one of the industry's pros. I love our discussions, idea bouncing, and years long friendship. Irene has come in and provided services to indie writers that were once road blocks to our entrance into the arena of the publishing world.
Today, I'm switching her hat to the writer Irene. There is so much I want to ask about writing a memoir. I write faux memoirs, so I'm off the hook to get things right - I make them up. However, I'm sure Irene will gladly answer questions about the industry for writers and for readers who are curious about what the heck it is that we do. Plus I will take the liberty to plug that serious readers who want to be reviewers for Irene can contact her for details. irene@readerviews.com
Until I started writing Irene's day, I hadn't realized she has a new video for her second edition of The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference.
Check this out!
Party Game: Irene is giving away two autographed copies of Sitting Swing. To be eligible to win, the game is name the country your family immigrated from or you would like to immigrate to - make something up, if you don't have a real answer.
This is the place to party without worrying about typos in the comments (who cares?), so if English is a second language, comment anyway -- this is after all, only the FIRST DRAFT.
**If you need help navigating blogger, here are some basic instructions: http://nadinelaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-few-basics.html
The comment section is below this line. Click on the word "comments." That's where you can leave a note. eMail me if you have trouble with this...NadineLaman(at)aol.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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When Paul Fenton stops for breakfast in a small town, he gets more than he bargained for in the process.
When two-hundred-year-old human remains are discovered on one of Neptune's moons, Earth's history falls into question.
Emily's husband persuades her to try thalidomide to ease her symptoms as she is unaware of the devastating effects.
Who is the women's shelter bomber? Melissa Ryan suspects that her husband knows.
Further developments with the Wilder family.
A hidden past shakes the O'Donovan family to its core
A swirl of emotion and choice, set in Cape Town, South Africa
Love is a constant, but it comes at a price.
When the road ahead is unclear, sometimes you have to rely on trust.
The struggle between good and evil is ages old. It gets all the more complicated when the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys have redeeming qualities.
Story of a land mothering two races of people – the light-skinned and the dark-skinned.
A gifted Ukrainian ballerina comes into possession of a mysteriously coded address book.
Six passengers' lives change for better or worse after they arrive in Honiton.
Resilience and love in a harsh and unforgiving age
Kathryn's Beach
High Tide
Storm Surge
Good morning, World!
ReplyDeleteBefore I get my cup of coffee, I'm going to ask a question even though I know Irene must be sleeping sweetly since she is in the US and it is MN here in AZ.
ReplyDeleteI read the first edition of Sitting Swing, when that was its complete title. Looking at the new video, I don't remember anything about addiction. What I remember, and it has been a few years since I read Sitting Swing, is that there was something lacking and your friends all talked about Avalon. They had shared a powerful experience and you felt outside that group. Do you cover an addiction in the second edition, the one that is the prize today?
Not that I really can play the game, my family came from Ireland, Wales, Scotland. I'd love to see these places.
ReplyDeleteWell, as far as immigration goes, I guess my family came from France (as in Norman conquerors!). That's not quite immigration though is it?
ReplyDeleteSo - where would I like to emigrate to? Well, can I emigrate to a time as well as a place? And can I change who I am?
I have ideas about being a Pharoah - so I think being Nefertiti might be quite fun. Egypt before the drought, at a time of massive creativity and enterprise.
But - as I can't time travel or change who I am, maybe I'd like to live somewhere that I would fit in.
Darn... that narrows it down! Where do eccentrics go?
Well, 'artists retreats' tend to be a bit full of themselves, but Deija in Mallorca is nice - but too far from the sea.
I think - perhaps I should emigrate to France, and open a writers retreat. A big old chateau by the sea, in the South where it is warm. I promise I'll learn French and be respectful of local traditions and customs.
How does that sound? Back to where I came from I guess!!
Carrie
Perhaps you are a person for all times and places, Carrie. Welcome back from your holiday.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, chicas!
ReplyDeleteNadine, we were immigrants to Germany during the war- not something someone would wish for, but I still feel as if I benefited from the life there.
You had me laughing yesterday with the concert! :) Carrie, Don Johnson, and 3 Doors Down? I love your and Kathryn's music choice!
Susan's book has just arrived! She is so kind, there is a bookmark card that says Thank you! The book looks wonderful! Again screaming and jumping all around the place!
Love ya, girls!
Good morning, Chica!
ReplyDeleteAt first I had no idea what concert you were talking about. Absolute Zero is a real song. The link is on my website.
Guess you are not lacking for English language books now, are you?
When Kate comes, she needs to go look again at the purple in yesterday's post.
ReplyDeleteOh that's wonderful. Thank you so much to Kip. Pesky Kid will be delighted (and his mum is too). It's such an honour to party with such generous and talented people. :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Nick and Andrew, they certainly do rock.
Kate
X
Good morning, Kate! Yep, I gotts great friends. Just wait until it is morning in the US and you meet Irene, you will love her.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the guys!It's wonderful to see men being so aware of BC!
ReplyDeleteKate, congrats to you and Pesky Kid! Imagine, one day Pesky Kid and Little Hobbit become pen pals like Ned and Meece, and then one day, when moomies become famous authors, they will be boasting around, saying mommies met at the biggest blog party ever-at Nadine's!
Nadine, I'm grateful to you and all your friends for suplying me with reading material well ahead. Hopefully, this stupid credit card situation gets solved soon so I can buy the other books from your friends.
I heard Absolute Zero a while ago, when I first went to your web page. It's so sad...and wonderful!
In case I don't make it back here today (like that could happen), greetings to Irene and hugs to everyone!
Hmmm "Pesky KId and Little Hobbit"...sounds like the title of a childrens book. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd, coincidentally, I have just won a copy of Childrens Writers and Artists Yearbook on Twitter. My lucky star is shining today. Must be rubbing off from you guys.
Kate
X
I buy new books. But Ivana, and |I'm sure you do to, I love looking through a pile of junk in a second hand book shop for the book you've been searching for all your life. In the UK they have Oxfam second hand bookshops and they are as good as the new books shops.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Kate!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to crash for a little bit. I'll brb!
Welcome Irene, if I'm not back in time to...
I'm here for the morning party...haven't had coffee yet (out of cream...need to run to Dunkin Donuts)
ReplyDeleteMy paternal family comes from Scotland - my grandparents hopped on a ship in the 1920's and landed in Quincy, MA.
My Maternal family is a mix of Irish, Italian, and German. I've traced the Italian Ciccolella's to a Pasquale Ciccolella from 1760 Latina Province. The trail dies out because the church records burned...My great grandfather landed in the US in the late 1800's and he actaully went back to Italy to serve in the Army for two years. When he came back to the US, he opened a produce stand / store near Albany, NY and met my Irish great grandmother who's parents came from Ireland.
Another line from my maternal grandmother traces all the way back to Germany when Henry Faus and his bride Elizabeth Kepler sailed across the Atlantic. They landed in the 1750's. Through this line, I can trace my DAR roots - one of Henry's daughters married a Patriot...
I've lived in Germany and I've been to Italy a number of times. I've made it to southern England but have yet to get to Scotland and Ireland. Now that my own daughter is marrying a fine Irish lad (from Ireland!) I have even more reason to visit the Emerald Isle!
PS - Congratulations to Nick and Andrew!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone! I'm just showing up at the party. I see some of you have been posting already - it's just 7 a.m. here in Texas. It was fun going through the posts to see where the partiers or their ancestors came from.
ReplyDeleteNadine explained in the intro that I was born to Ukranian immigrants in Canada. In fact, the area they came from was Poland at that time, but when my father was born it was under the Russian regime. Now it's the Ukraine. Even though the country changed a number of times, their mother language was Ukranian.
I now live in Austin, Texas. My husband and I immigrated here almost 20 years ago and we love it. Soon after our children moved here. My mother lives in Canada and we have cousins and aunts/uncles there.
Being a genealogy buff I feel it's important to keep the family stories (and secrets!) alive. It may not seem important to us right now, but the future generations will want to know about us. We all have much to tell and pass on.
Hi Irene. Welcome along.
ReplyDeleteA memoir say when you read it written by Winston Churchill, De Gaulle or George Bush is possibly close to the truth. Do you think that some memoirs written by an ordinary man or woman are 'sexed' up to sell copies and could just belong in the realms of fiction?
There's a bit of a legend in our family.
ReplyDeleteMy mothers ancestors were Irish and they emigrated to America where my Great Great Grandfather got involved in the Civil War. Unfortunately he was on the losing side and was killed by being tied to a railway track and run over (ugh).
My GG Grandmother quickly moved to England with my Great Nana, Alice Moisley (who was born in America) and they settled in Yorkshire.
It would be interesting to try to verify this story, I have no idea if it is true or not.
One story I know is true is that I come from a long line of "fallen" women. Right back to my Great Grandmothers (and possibly beyond) on both sides they all either had children out of wedlock, "lived in sin" or had to get married.I suspect that they were all passionate women of their time...and they were proper matriarchs too.
ReplyDeleteGiven the low status of women in their era's I have to say that they had guts.
A lot of the stories I use in 'To The End Of Love' were what my grandmother told me about our family.
ReplyDeleteGood morning everyone from Ohio. Welcome Irene on your special blog day.
ReplyDeleteI don't know grand stories about my ancestors. My maiden name is Van Brimmer which is Dutch and German. End of story.
Irene, I also will be purchasing your book since I already won Andrew's book. I am excited to read his. I also bought Susan's and Ivana, you are right. It is a lovely looking book. I will be reading it soon.
By the way after buying my 5th ever Ohio lottery ticket because it is up over 225 million, I did not win. But we all are winners here.
Irene, I look forward to your wisdom today. I think of my friend Nadia Sahari who recently published her first book, Breakawy--How I Survived Abuse. She was Muslim and not by choice. Great book!!!
Hey everyone! Hello Irene, Glen, Peggy...if I miss anyone it is because I keep falling asleep waiting for my coffee water. Thanks for doing this Irene.
ReplyDeleteBack again...still no coffee...still no cream...and I'm going to miss Thai Kickboxing...conference call from hell...
ReplyDeleteMy husband likes to think his line traces back to Richard Nolan, the pirate quartermaster (in charge of the loot) of Bellamy's fleet.
It's rumored in my family that my grandfather, Alexander G. Bell was third cousins with Alexander G. Bell of telephone fame.
My great uncle's wife's nephew Joseph Wilpers captured Tojo before he could kill himself (I have the picture) - and then Tojo stood trial and we killed him anyways.
My grandfather, John Ciccolella served in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. (He recently passed away).
Through my genealogy research I found the Ciccolella "black sheep" descendants in ARGENTINA! (that was COOL!)
And curiously enough, all the Bell women in my paternal line WORKED (as far back as I've been able to trace) - they were seamstresses, fisher net weavers, bakers, etc...I found that so interesting! And I've been told the Bell line can be traced to Mary Queen of Scots...(who was married to the French Dauphin and raised but the wacko Catherine de Medici...)
NOW I have coffee! Irene sent out a mailing earlier this week that they had gone CRAZY at ReaderViews...and the response has been crazy. I imagine she is going to pop over there real quick and ck on her staff (I remember when it was just a couple of people) then come back to use from her office.
ReplyDeleteYou guys have interesting historys, I should have known...
ReplyDeleteHusband says one side of his family were Irish priates, but I don't think they must have been very good...the English chased them to a port in France, then they ran to America...leaving behind their families and starting new ones here...should be fun to research.
You guys are the core group, you must be having fun to come every day! Aren't these writers fastinating? Don't you just love them?
ReplyDeleteYou have really interesting family stories. Are you all passing them down to the next generation?
ReplyDeleteWhen the older relatives came to visit the grandparents (no kids for me to play with), I'd sit under the dinning room table and listen to their stories...it pays to be shy.
My gran kept a diary. Not very wonderful, but its better than nothing. I have photographs of my great-grandparents and gran as a child.
ReplyDeleteI spent 17 years sharing a bedroon mith my Nana and she told me all about her life (she was born in 1908). I love passing her stories down to my kids.
ReplyDeleteI did record her reminiscing once but the tapes went missing in 1994.
She led, shall we say, a "colourful" life. :-)
I have pictures from both sides - my favorite is a family photo of my grandma Bella (Bella Kinmond Chapman married Alexander G. Bell and became Belle Bell...only in my family!) anyhoo - she was the baby - her sister Jean was 20 - and all I can tell you is that my daughter Jessica looks just like Jean. Totally rocked my little world.
ReplyDeleteI also have pictures of my great grandmother Margaret Suzanne Ciccolella nee McCormick - I have a photo diary from 1900 - ish called "Meet the McCormicks" - way too cool, but my favorite picture of her is from the 1920's in her flapper dress...she was a KNOCK OUT!
Those colourful women make better storis than the others...
ReplyDelete(See Carrie is teaching me English)
ReplyDeleteIn response to Glyn. Do I think memoirs are "sexed" up to sell copies? I'm smiling. I'm sure we've all heard about the half-truths a certain author which appeared on Oprah he finally admitted to. From that we could assume many authors do embelish the truth. However, I don't think they do - not all of them. One disclaimer many have is that they write as they remember how it happened. You can easily ask 3 people in the same family to explain a situation that happened and each one of them will have a different perspective on it. We all see and feel things differently, and we all perceive things differently. (Oh wouldn't it be a boring world if we didn't!!)
ReplyDeleteIn my memoir I wrote exactly how I remembered it. However, the funny thing is, my childhood girlfriend (whom I write about in the book)doesn't even remember some of the situations. (Like when I pushed her out of the window and she fell on her head! I denied pushing her. I lived with this guilt for 40 years and then I found out she didn't even remember the event! What a waste of time being in my head about it! LOL)
Do any of you remember some event that you denied doing and then found out nobody actually remembered it happening?
If you are an author/writer and feel like listening to a couple of interview with me I invite you to go to: http://authorsaccess.com/archives/category/irene-watson
ReplyDeleteThe first two are of specific interest to anyone that is working on a target audience. The second one is of interest to anyone that has a website.
I forget to say hi to Carrie and thank you for the Ghost Sniffer and the music. It's wonderful, I've had a great time curling up in bed with a hot drink listening to your stories and songs.
ReplyDeleteKate
X
Irene, are there many changes in the second edition of Sitting Swing?
ReplyDeleteI have 50 million questions about memoir writing, (not planning to write one myself) I'm guessing it was a healing experienc, right Irene?
ReplyDeleteFYI, Kate your email came through. Got the details. Kip is sending the books to me, I'll ship from AZ.
ReplyDeleteIrene, the interviews sound great...I've read your blog for a while, so I can't wait to hear more. Writing your day made me recall all I've learned from you.
ReplyDeleteNadine, yes there are changes in the second edition. But, mostly mechanical. No changes to the story. The first thing we did is edit it! Unfortunately the first edition went out unedited (even though I paid the publisher a big amount of dollars for the editing.) We also added a subtitle (very important!) as well as reading guide, different photos, and of course a new cover.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot the first time around! One is to be sure the book is edited and re-edited. And re-edited again. Five times isn't too many.
Yes, Nadine, it was a healing experience. Very much so. I was able to get it all out! But, most importantly for me is to be able to tell my story so that readers can parallel their lives and find hope and healing. I'm constantly getting emails saying how much my book helped the reader. Even though the book is a memoir, it is more of a self-help book. What amazes me most is that men read my book and get a lot of out it. I believe that's because many men have mother issues and are able to see themselves in the story too.
Loved your You Tube video, Irene. Sent it to my friend, Nadia, the actress and writer friend who had a very tough childhood, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate, Peggy and Glyn. Love reading all the blogs about family history.
I am off and running up north to help my college daughter. Have fun all and be back when I can. Irene, I plan on reading all about you and visiting your web page and listening to your interviews.
I have a hard time imagining you to be the bratt you said you were at Avalon. You are really honest.
ReplyDeleteOh, and where is Avalon located?
ReplyDeleteIrene, I was also wondering how much pressure publishers put on writers to 'sex' up a story. A recent example is of the ex-wife of Mick Jagger having her book withdrawn/not published because it wasn't revealing enough about Mick.
ReplyDeleteOf course what you say about how different members of the same family remember/interpret stories is of course true.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is why there are so many officials at football games.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember any 'sex' in Sitting Swing. One child hood incident in the woods, but the real meat of the book was the honesty about behaviors (not always positive) and the emotions Irene reveals.
Her opening remarks in her video are tame compared to some of her thoughts, feelings about that place, the staff, and the other losers.
ReplyDeleteI'm not using Irene's words and I don't speak for her. And, I don't think we have ever discussed my thoughts or reactions to reading Sitting Swing. This is not the things we usually talk about, so way cool that we are.
ReplyDeleteAre you thinking of writing a memoir, Glyn?
ReplyDeleteNadine, I went to Avalon (not really the actual name because I need to keep it undisclosed to protect others)I had a major attitude. The main reason I went is because many of my friends had gone through the treatment center and I wanted to fit in. The other thing was at that time I felt I could gain a lot of information I could use with my clients. Yet, deep inside I was unhappy and hoped I could gather up enough information to help myself. I didn't think I needed help! Geesh...what an attitude. And, because of the attitude I was a "bratt." Not only that, being a second born I already had rebel tendencies so combine the two, and you have a challenge on your hands! LOL.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear such rich family histories. I came from a family that didn't pass down very many stories and it has been a loss for me. Perhaps that's why I write fiction and spend a great deal of time creating stories.
I have one photo of my great-grandparents dated 1918. I know their names and that's all. I have spent a fair amount of time staring at this photograph for clues. What made these people laugh? What kind of people were they? I wish that they had left me a diary, a letter, anything, to let me know what the joys and sorrows were in their lives.
Share your stories. Don't let a great grandchild, or great niece or nephew, or whoever, wonder who you were in a hundred years. Leave something behind so that you will be remembered.
btw - The treatment center "Avalon" no longer exists where it was at the time I went to it. However, there is another one that uses the same program and the same counsellors and is located in Montreal, Canada. If anyone would like more information about it please contact me off this blog. It's a fantastic program!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Susan! That is a gap, isn't that. I hear adopted kids have the same gap.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather wrote a diary of love letters to my grandmother. One of my cousins has it and can never find it. I'd like to scan it and I hope she is reading this!
Irene, I was being as nice as I could about that attitude you took with you to Avalon. I think that really sets the honesty factor for Sitting Swing.
ReplyDeleteGlyn, I believe some publishers do put pressure to reveal all the juicy aspects in a memoir or autobiography but I think that's only with well known names. Sensationalism will sell the books and that's the bottom line with publishers. A story about Mick would be just ho-hum if the juicy parts weren't exposed. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have thought of a memoir. But 'To The End Of Love' has plenty of memoirs/family stories
ReplyDeleteNadine - I finally got it....honesty, authenticity, and integrity is the key to life.
ReplyDeleteYikes! What a concept!
I still don't recall an addiction, just the fit in factor and the new tools for your practice.
ReplyDeleteYes, the appeal to the new 'transparency' in government, unpretentiousness... from real ingrediants (the Julia/Julie movie) to real relationships, we seek, crave, need it.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the reasons I didn't really push this party as a marketing thing. That might be some of the fallout, but I wanted this to be 'real' or otherwise, I'm going without a lot of sleep for a sham. That isn't enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI love history.
ReplyDeleteIf writers bow to pressure from publishers, then the truth isn't being told. And that is what we are leaving our descendants.
To write an interpretaion of events is different from lying, bowing to pressure.
Glyn, I think the drastic rise in self-publishing, indie publishing, alternative publishing, small presses, all indicate that we aren't dancing to the traditional tune like we did not so long ago. And even Jen the other day who writes for a really big publisher has pushed the envelop on what she writes for YA. I think more than ever, writers are being honest, even if it is fiction. I think we are again honoring our craft. And finally we are getting smart about paying for really good editing. As Irene said, that is NOT the place to skip. Carolyn said it friday too. Susan has said it. I'm really honored to be part of the new movement in this craft. Look at the company I keep!
ReplyDelete... and I think readers deserve nothing less from us.
ReplyDeleteI think as well we accept that we aren't going to make a living from writing.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Glyn, I won't accept that. I might not be making a living on it right now, not today or yesterday, but I will not write that as my future. (Okay, backing off on the coffee...)
ReplyDeleteWow, can I stop a conversation or what?
ReplyDeleteOut to lunch. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's tea time in England. I'm off to. BRB...in a few. Group hug!
ReplyDelete*I'm off too*
ReplyDeleteBack from my coffee run (about darn time! It's only 1:30PM EST!) Stopped by the florist to pay her for wedding #1 this friday and she's closed - WHAAAAAT?
ReplyDeleteDo I panic?
(breathe)
OK - honesty in writing - I think I got that down pretty well - funny story, last week I was talking to my mom who really started out as my stepmom (I was born one of four, at age nine I became three of seven and we're not talking about the Borg!) and with seven kids tossed into the blender we each have a different perspective on what happened when our parents got married. For the most part, my two older sisters and I have fairly consistent stories with some things unique to perspective, but I have one brother who must have been smoking dope the entire time because his story isn't even on the same planet let alone ball park as ours.
When mom and I talked about her adoption of me and my brothers and when my dad adopted my youngest brother, my mom never knew my story - and why I agreed to allow her to adopt us. I was 12 and in the judge's chambers by myself and when the judge asked me what I wanted, I was not just speaking for me, but for my three brothers. Allowing the adoption was the best way to ensure my brothers' protection (real mother was abusive). She gave us four a gift that I will always be grateful for - her love and her protection.
And btw, I do expect to eventually earn a living from writing ;-)
Yeh, fine I want to make money from writing, but I won't sell my soul to the devil at the crossroads
ReplyDeleteYou goof! NO! You sell books, honestly written books. Be damned the industry, I write (and so do you) for the readers. (I get my therapy elsewhere, aren't you glad to know that?)
ReplyDeleteI say this with the greatest love and respect for Irene: If she had not written Sitting Swing honestly about her attitude at Avalon (bratt doesn't begin to cover it), then what transpired would have not shown the real impact that it did (and was). This might just be me, but I heard the voice change in the writing of each section, her childhood, Avalon, post-Avalon. It was like she was in that moment in each situation as she wrote, and I bet had to walk back into 'today' when she left her computer for the day. Remember that the book begins at Avalon. That is the kind of authentic writing (and living) Irene (and maybe me) mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI knew we were both on the same wavelength Nadine, I just wanted to make our feelings clear about what we expect from authors.
ReplyDeleteYeah, hugs. I only hang around with really great people, even if some of of them don't know how grand they are - I do!
ReplyDeleteThanks for noticing the changes in the writing Nadine. I'm inspired to hear you noticed because that was the intent when I was writing. I feel authentic writing is just that - authentic. :-)
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteIrene, your Youtube is wonderful. I always wondered how many courage it actually takes to write and publish a memoir. Personally, I'm a coward when it comes to revealing my true emotions (that's why I write fiction) :)
Congratulations on your strength! You are a very inspiring person!
OH yes, Irene...it played with a sound track, the frightened child teased by cousins, the bratty patient, the calm solid woman in the end.
ReplyDeleteOh Ivy, once you read Sitting Swing, you will see the places where I was embarrased for Irene (didn't know her then) that she very clearly told the world she was a bratt at Avalon.
Yes, courage Ivana, however, it's part of the healing process. I had to make a decision whether or not I wanted the whole world see the life of my family. I had cousin that sent me a nasty letter saying that my story wasn't true. Well, it's interesting to note that she didn't live at our home. I think it stirred up a lot of "stuff" that went in their home. However, I also know that it's her "stuff" and she has to deal with it herself. I'm not responsible for her feelings.
ReplyDeleteisn't that part of the key, sorting out who is responsible for what...taking responsibility where due, and not where not?
ReplyDeleteHey everyone! I sure enjoyed chatting today. How fun! Thanks for showing up.
ReplyDeleteHummm...weird. This blog thing just called my anonymous!! It was actually me saying thanks! I guess it's time to call it a day even the blog is getting tired!
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming, Irene. I know this turned into a hectic week at work and I really appreciate that you didn't back out. I wanted everyone to meet you.
ReplyDeletePeople can still leave messages for Irene. She can reply later...
And for now, I'm still here...
Oh wow! I'm listening to the interviews at the link Irene gave us earlier. This is certainly worth bookmarking this page and listening to before starting each new ms.
ReplyDeletehttp://authorsaccess.com/archives/category/irene-watson
Just looking at some stats and as of today, this blog party has been visited by people from 40 countries.
ReplyDeleteHi, Irene. I'm Erin Collins It's nice to meet you. This is such fun, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI loved it when I was blogging.
I would have come to visit earlier but was out of town today.
Erin
Hi Erin,
ReplyDeleteCheck out that link of Irene's, I posted a couple of posts above this one. I think you'll like it. There are several interviews. Glad you dropped by.
Hi Everyone! Rita Toews here, author of books on bullying. Nice to see so many people attending the Blog Party!
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to offer three anti-bully books for the event (two electronic and one in print) and all three have now been claimed. The nice thing about having books in print and electronic version is that people get the electronic version instantly. :-)
I mailed The Bully: A Discussion and Activity Story today to teacher, Mary Edington. I'm delighted that the book went to a teacher as it does very well in a classroom.
Kudos to Nadine for doing such a good job on the Blog!
Rita Toews