Read-athon Update: Dancing for Degas

As I mentioned in my start-up post, I had no intention of reading for 24 hours straight, but my goal was to read throughout the day and try to rekindle a love of reading fiction.  So far, the event has been a success.

Since my last update, I have read another 229 pages in about 2.5 hours.  I am re-reading Dancing for Degas by Kathryn Wagner, a book that I reviewed here.  However, I wanted to re-read the book in light of the upcoming NaNoWriMo event.  The protagonist, Alexandrie, is striving to become a star dancer in the Paris Ballet.  She is noticed by Edward Degas and he hires her as a model.  His pastel paintings of her are so successful that they begin to spend more time together, which she hopes will lead to a romantic relationship and then marriage.

As in the other book I read, The Painted Girls, these ballerinas often come from poor homes whose families are relying on their wages to help make ends meet.  Since ballerinas are paid so little, these girls supplement their income by becoming mistresses of the wealthy patrons.  It is indeed a Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde society where the ballerinas are viewed as angelic royalty while on stage, but reveal a dark, immoral character post-performance.

I hope to finish the book before going to bed this evening, although I am not sure that I will write a summary read-athon post.  It has been a glorious day of reading however, and reconnecting with fiction, and rekindling a love for an old passion.  Thank you, Dewey, and all those who have made this event possible.  I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate, and I look forward to spring, 2014.

Read-athon Update: The Painted Girls

I have completed my first book in the read-athon!!  Of course it helped that I  started the book about three weeks ago and read about a third of it prior to this morning.... but I still read about 210 pages in about 2.5 hours.

The book I read was The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan.  I selected the book because it is historical fiction that takes place in the same time period as my upcoming NaNoWriMo piece.  I was hoping to glean additional insight into the time period as well as the characters to help me flesh out my own story.

Original Wax Statue
National Gallery in DC

The book focuses on the Van Goethem sisters, Antoinette, Marie, and Charlotte: Marie being the model for the well-known Degas sculpture, Little Dancer at age fourteen.  The book is written in the alternate voices of the older sister Antoinette and the middle sister Marie.  While all three girls were a part of the Paris Ballet, Antoinette was eventually asked to leave, which left her with few career options:  a life of laundress, like her alcoholic mother, or a life of prostitution.  She experiments with both and at one point is imprisoned for stealing money from one of her "clients"

Marie remains in the ballet corps for a longer period of time, finding a patron willing to supplement her meager earnings for modeling favors.  Marie has talent and a future in the ballet, but in this fictional narrative she makes an emotional decision that causes her undo stress.  Eventually she is also fired from the corps because she is absent from too many rehearsals.

The younger sister Charlotte is the one with the most promise and she does eventually go on to succeed as a prima ballerina and then instructor with the ballet.

I enjoyed the book from a historical perspective.  The author gave me insight into the everyday life of the lower class.  I enjoyed how she weaved two non-fiction stories into one that created romance, suspense, and conflict.  She did a nice job of developing two different narrative voices:  Antoinette is not as well-educated and a bit more bold and hardened by life; Marie is smarter, wiser and more compassionate.

The book is true to the time period, I believe, and because these ballerinas came from the seedy side of town, there are a few graphic scenes that would make this book geared to adults rather than teens, in my humble estimation.

All in all, I would rate the book 3 out of 5 stars and am quite appreciative of the writing talent and detailed research that the author provides her readers.

Sunday Salon: Writing ..AND.. Reading

It is taking a while to get into my new teaching routine, but I shall be there soon.  This week yearbook duties were successfully transferred to a capable replacement, and I should now be able to enjoy my new weekly schedule of working three-days followed by a four day weekend.

A portion of this additional free time is reserved for my writing endeavors, and I have had a rather productive week in that regard.  On September 1st I began a free online writing program hosted by Cat Wearring entitled, 30 Day Product Creation Challenge, where the goal is to write an ebook in a month's time.  Cat sends a daily email with a motivational message and exercises designed to keep us focused and stay on task.  While I have enjoyed reading the daily assignments, it wasn't until yesterday that they all seemed to culminate into a personal epiphany.

This is not another NaNoWriMo event where the goal is to write a 50,000 word draft of a story any which way you can; it is far more manageable, and Cat even offers suggestions for finding a viable idea.  Writing fiction is significantly outside my comfort zone, but for some reason I have not found a suitable non fiction topic to sink my teeth into.  I know that I want to practice travel writing, and I have a few memoir ideas, but nothing has grabbed my attention and ignited my passion to write for my own pleasure.

But as I was reading through this list of possible ideas (for the second or third time) I realized something:  I have been waiting for the 'blockbuster' idea rather than writing the smaller pieces.  I have placed such unrealistic expectations on this first writing endeavor that I set myself up for failure before I have had a chance to begin.

Writers write.  And I just need to follow that axiom.  I shouldn't worry about the size of the project or the audience appeal, I should just write what I know and what I feel needs to be told.

So this week I will be working on my ebook project:  Finding Joy in the Moment:  Spiritual Lessons through Photography.  I currently have twelve chapters outlined and an introduction drafted.  I have not been this excited about a personal project in a long time, and I look forward to the work and the joy I know it will bring.

On the reading front.... the heat wave broke in the midwest and cooler temperatures have finally arrived.  With the advent of this fall-like weather, my youngest and I have embarked on a Harry Potter read-athon.   While there is no deadline to complete this goal, it is my hope to have the entire series read by the end of the year.

I believe this is about the third or fourth time Mandy has read the books, but it will be my first.  I own the entire series in a variety of formats:  hardback, audio, and blue-ray video (I am most definitely committed to the series, I just have not made it a reading priority). While I do not typically listen to audiobooks (I find it difficult to follow without focusing on the written word), I am hoping the soothing accent of Jim Dale will help me to overcome this issue.

I have read the first five chapters of The Sorcerer's Stone and hope to read more on this relaxing Sunday.  The audiobook is loaded on my iPhone and I plan to listen while driving to and from school.  Hopefully I can finish the first book this week and then give a brief review in the next Sunday Salon.

Sunday Salon: Books on Journaling

I wish I could say I have always journaled.  Re-reading old notebooks filled with daily activities and harbored secrets would provide great insight into who I am today.  Fond memories could be relived over and over again, and documentation of answered prayers and dreams-come-true would bring hope in times of difficulty.  I think I have always wanted to be a journaler, but once I start writing it becomes difficult to stop, and the time commitment seemed too great.

About four years ago I began the practice of Morning Pages as outlined in Julia Cameron's popular book, The Artist's Way.  I use an online website that tallies my daily entry of 750 words.  Much of what I write is a retelling of the events the day before.  There is little soul-searching in these early morning snippets, but it does clear away the cobwebs and helps me to practice the writing process.

Last year I began a devotional journal, which I added to this morning writing routine.  I use the popular website, YouVersion, to access a daily devotional message and the scripture which inspired it.  This method of journaling helps me to connect with my spiritual self.  In this journal I tend to reflect on my past in order to gain insight into my present, and then discern where God would like to direct my path in the future.  Where the morning pages are more factual in nature, the devotional pages are more insightful and thought-provoking.

This past spring I was introduced to the concept of Expressive Writing, a style of journaling that focuses on emotions and feelings rather than the events that caused them.  First developed by James Pennebaker, Chair of Psychology at the University of Texas, Austin, this kind of writing has proved to have tremendous mental as well as physical health benefits.  Since April I have read many books on the generic topic of journaling as well as the specific idea of journaling to promote healing.  I thought it might be of value to some of you if I provided a quick summary of those I considered most noteworthy.

Writing as a Way of Healing (by Louise DaSalvo)  The author references Pennebaker throughout the book, but her writing style is very easy to understand (whereas I found the works by Pennebaker to be too laden with scientific jargon).  One of the quotes that I highlighted from the book is found on page 31:
I didn't know that if you want to write, you must follow your desire to write.  And that your writing will help you unravel the knots in your heart.  I didn't know that you could write simply to take care of yourself, even if you have no desire to publish your work.  I didn't know that if you want to become a writer, eventually you'll learn through your writing - and only through writing - all you need to know about your craft.  And that while you're learning, you're engaging in soul-satisfying, deeply nurturing labor.  I didn't know that if you want to write and don't because you don't feel worthy enough or able enough, not writing will eventually begin to erase who you are.

A  Voice of Her Own (by Marlene Schiwy)  I found this gem at the popular used bookstore in Nashville, McKay's Books.  A four dollar investment yielded a treasure of insightful information.  Here is a quote found on page 99:
Your diary is your one place in life where all of the inner voices that clamor for attention can speak and be heard.  Most of them have been suppressed for so long that they won't speak out at all if they anticipate harsh criticism.  Be gentle with them.  

There are two internal figures that exist in all of us:  the muse and the editor.  But if the editor kicks in prematurely, the muse gets edited right out of existence.

Journal to the Self (by Kathleen Adams)  To be honest I don't remember where I first heard of this book.  It could have been recommended reading from one of the classes I took this summer, or it could have been a suggestion on a popular book site of people who purchased this book also purchased... In any case, there were some useful nuggets within, like this found on page 42 (my formatting):
What it means to write naturally:
*  You trust your inner wisdom to guide you to the places you need to go.
*  You let yourself be you
*  There is only one person who can write the story of you --- YOU.
*  You pick up your journal when the mood hits, and put it down when the mood shifts.

The Story of Your Life (by Mandy Aftel)  Absolutely fabulous book!  I just finished it this week and it will definitely become a permanent fixture on my personal bookshelves.  In essence the book states that we are the authors of our own lives.  We may not be able to change the past, but we can change our perspective of past events.  We may not have complete control over our future, but we do have the ability to adjust our plots if we do not like the story we are living.  I think I learned as much about literary analysis by reading this book as I did about private journaling.  One of the many quotes that I chose to write down is found on page 26:
Plot in fiction is constructed by the author and laid out for the reader.  Plot in life is more like a mystery we try to solve by telling and retelling stories.  In life our stories are always open-ended, evolving and changing to reflect our own growth.  Key points to remember about plotting:

• All plots are character driven.  We use plotting to understand character - our own and everyone else.
• Plots are thoughts, feelings, actions and events that we shape into narratives through language.   Words help us to develop and crystallize our sense of who we are.  We create, define, and revise our identities by choosing what to include in our plots and how to express it.
• Successful plotting depends on our willingness to scrutinize our stories and look for patterns that reveal deeper story.  Unsuccessful plotting takes no thought at all.

Writing Down Your Soul (by Janet Connor)  This book was on the recommended reading list of the Spiritual Journaling class I took this summer.  I found this book quite practical as it gives a detailed list of questions (about 20-25 pages worth...) to answer in an effort to reconnect with your deeper self.  I have not answered all the questions yet (as a matter of fact, I have just barely started), but I intend to refer to these prompts over the next several months.  The author details some of the major differences between soul journaling and other forms of journaling on page 246:

Soul Journaling....

*  Begins with a personal writing ritual

*  Happens in a sacred place

*  Includes deep breathing

*  Directly addresses "the voice" (for me, the voice would be God)

*  Involves writing at the same time for 30 days

*  Writing fast 

*  Engaging all five senses

*  Does not judge, evaluate or edit what appears on the page

*  Activates "the voice" with questions

*  Provides a process to recognize and partner with the inner critic

*  Elicits guidance to improve life

Journaling as a Spiritual Practice (by Helen Cepero)  Another book recommended during the Spiritual Writing course and the one that I found most helpful to me.  The author is more explicit in her view of God as the inner voice, which for me was a point of common interest.  For others, this may not be your particular point of view.  The following quote, found on page 32, would be indicative of the tone, message and purpose of this entire book:

One of the best gifts of a journal is that it gives you a place to show up.  As you write you may discover where you actually are.  When you know where you are, you may also see what is true, hear from your own voice, gain an understanding of something that has troubled or puzzled you, or savor again a joy that might have slid by unnoticed.  Most of all, you gain a clearer view of God's presence with you, in you, and around you.

While I may not be a life-long journaler, I know that I will continue journaling for the rest of my life.  And I will always be on the lookout for books that will help me to reap the greater benefit from this practice.  If you have a favorite book on this subject, I would welcome the recommendation.

Sunday Salon: Paris for the Semester

This time last week I had just finished reading my first Historical Fiction saga, Paris, and absolutely loved it!  I entertained the idea of reading another one of Rutherfurd's works, I have both London and New York sitting on my bookshelves, but instead I decided to linger in literary Paris a while longer.  In fact, I think I may spend the entire semester here.

There is good reason for this decision; let me share a bit of background information.  For about four years now I have had an idea for a story that just won't go away.  I have done extensive research on the lives of several Impressionists and the Paris of that time period.  I currently have three Moleskines filled with notes.  I have visited three museums, most notably The Frist in Nashville, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, to view firsthand these famous works of art.  I have collected images of many of these paintings to help me develop characters, settings, and plot ideas.  I have fleshed out the protagonist, antagonist, love interest and mentor.  I know at which point the story begins and how it will end.  What I am missing is a compelling conflict.

I have challenged myself to write this story during NaNoWriMo, which begins November 1st - a little less than three months away.  I have decided that I will try to immerse myself in this time period as much as possible between now and then, in the hopes that my subconscious will work some creative magic.  Many of these books I have already read and reviewed on my other blog:  Dancing for Degas and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler; Luncheon of the Boating Party; Life Stories; and Marie, Dancing... but I plan to re-read them over the next several weeks.  I recently picked up The Painted Girls (by Cathy Marie  Buchanan) from my local library and plan to begin reading it today.

Reading is not the only activity I will pursue while preparing for NaNoWriMo.  I hope to complete several detailed character sketches where I not only know their physical characteristics, but also their most intimate thoughts, secrets, and motivations.  I have many images of 19th century Paris, either digital files on my Pinterst board or as postcards purchased during my 2011 trip. I want to study these pictures and practice writing sensory details of each of these settings.  I want to envision this Parisian time period as vividly as I see present-day Kansas.  While I would relish the idea of re-visiting the Art Institute of Chicago this fall, I may content myself by viewing the few Impressionist paintings at the Nelson-Atkins.

It's rather funny... from the time I was eight years old I have wanted to spend a semester abroad.  It looks like I may finally achieve that dream, albeit in a slightly different manner than I had imagined.

Sunday Salon: Trying a New Genre

I am now two for two in the Sunday Salon posts.  I hope that this is the start of a new trend - not so much that I will write a weekly post, but more that I will continue to read for personal pleasure on a regular basis.

I skimmed two books on writing by Kelly L Stone, Living Write:  The Secret to Inviting Your Craft into Your Daily Life and Thinking Write:  The Secret to Freeing Your Creative Mind.  The author is a licensed professional counselor as well as a writing coach, so she presents the material from a slightly different perspective than other writing books I have read.  I enjoyed her smooth writing style and practical advice, although I have read so many books on the subject  that I found hers to be mostly a review of what I have already learned (and now just need to put into practice).  I was initially interested in this author because of the 90 Day Writing Challenge she offers each January; I think this would be a great follow-up activity to the November NaNoWriMo event.

I have spent most of my reading time this week absorbed in the 805 page saga, Paris, by Edward Rutherfurd, and I am now a bit more than half way finished. This is my first foray into Historical Fiction and I must say, I am falling in love with this genre.

I have never been a fan of history; it was simply a class that I endured to meet the high school graduation requirement, but I think that was perhaps because I never had a teacher who was passionate about the subject.  I remember memorizing a bunch of dates to put on a timeline, which I dutifully completed and then promptly forgot.  I never understood the significance of those dates... and I certainly don't remember the stories and characters and settings that helped to bring the past alive and relevant to our present.

I have always enjoyed research, however.  I love the hunt for information, the analysis of the facts (and the inevitable search for truth in conflicting data), and the final organization of material into a cohesive written essay.  It never dawned on me that Historical Fiction would be the ideal marriage of my love of literature with my passion for research.  And while I am certain that I cannot judge an entire genre based on the work of one particular author, I must say that Edward Rutherfurd has opened my eyes to not only a new reading past time, but perhaps to a new writing adventure.

In reading this book I am not only learning a bit about the history of my beloved Paris, but I am also learning how to balance those facts with a narrative that creates a compelling story.  I can easily see myself delving into the history of a particular time period, conducting a thorough research, all the while allowing myself to ask "What If..."  It is exciting to think that I can combine my passion for writing, my talent for detailed analysis, and my desire for creativity in one project.  I have the germ of an idea.... now I am ready to water it, fertilize it, and watch it grow.

I hope to finish Paris by the end of the week and perhaps I will begin reading another one of  Rutherfurd's works sitting on my shelves --- or perhaps I will try another author in this newfound genre.  Do you have a favorite Historical Fiction novel that you would recommend?

Book Review: The Book Lover

For the first time in probably two years, I finished reading a novel!  For some this may not be a monumental occasion. but for me - a self-professed book lover, this is likened to the bear awaking after hibernation.  It isn't that I haven't been reading ... for to give up books completely would be like giving up oxygen to breathe... but I have limited my literary pursuits to non-fiction books on writing and photography.  Yes, I have been soaking up knowledge, but missing the truth of the human condition as can only be revealed in fictional characters.

In part this return to the fiction world was reignited by a friend who recently joined the Goodreads community.  I used to visit that site regularly, either updating my current read, uploading recent book purchases, or scanning possible literary groups to join.  But as with my fiction reading, visits to this site have been almost non-existent for nearly two years.  But there is something energizing about a community of like-minded individuals, and when I returned to the site earlier this week, the desire to read became too great to ignore.

Additionally, another good friend and fellow bibliophile recommended this book several weeks ago. I dutifully obtained it from the local library and placed it on my nightstand where it soon started to collect dust.  Since its due date is in just a few days, I thought I would try it to satisfy my fiction craving; I am very glad that I did.

The Book Lover is written for an audience like me:  an adult female reader who has not only a passion for books, but a love of words and a desire to write.   It is a character driven novel, my favorite, in which the two main characters are so well developed that they quickly become the reader's close friends.  In many ways I am like both of the women in the story - at least at this point in my life.  Lucy Barrett loves to write - and after suffering the loss of her infant son, decides to escape from the real world into the pages of her own novel.  Most of her storyline focuses on the struggles of writers to find an agent and/or publishing company... and the stigma associated with self-published books.  In addition to the shame of "not being good enough" to find an interested buyer, there is also the focused marketing efforts the author must pursue (rather than just...write) in order to place the book in readers' hands.  I found the journey from finished manuscript to book club recommendation fascinating... and rediscovered the truth that most writers are not motivated by money or fame, but by the pure passion of the craft.

Ruth Hardaway is the owner of a struggling bookstore in New York state - the Book Lover, a job she has held since the death of her husband over thirty years ago.  Her story focuses on the daily frustrations of managing an independent bookstore, as well as the efforts of fledgling businesses on Main Street, USA.  Again, the author gives an honest look at the struggles these bookstores must face in competing with the big box chains - either in the malls or online.  I must admit that I felt more than a twinge of guilt when I discovered how my own shopping habits greatly affect the financial security of my local "mom and pop" stores.  And I found it interesting how the passion for books motivates Ruth to think outside the box in order to bring customers through the door:  an on-site cafe, pre-packaged gift baskets, and even an attempt to revitalize the entire shopping district. Again, I found Ruth's character fascinating because her dream job is also fueled by the love of books and definitely not by the almighty dollar.

The lives of these two  women are not only similar in terms of their love for books, but also in terms of their private relationships.  There are complicated love interests on both sides.  While Lucy is adjusting to a devastating divorce, she unintentionally finds love elsewhere.  Ruth continues to harbor resentment towards her dead husband (whom she was sure she would have divorced if he had not been killed), but soon discovers an unexpected second chance at love with a most unlikely match.  The two women meet when Ruth offers to host a book signing to help market Lucy's novel... and the friendship grows from there.  As the back flap of the book reveals... there is a "little white lie" that jeopardizes this relationship, and that thread provides the necessary conflict to propel the storyline forward.

I thought The Book Lover was well-written, although there were a couple of times that I felt as though the author was forcing the axiom, "show vs tell" just a wee bit.  The storyline was tight, except the bird metaphor was perhaps a bit too contrived for my personal taste.  I feel as though I not only learned about the inner workings of the book selling business, but I also learned about the craft of writing.... a winning combination - which is why I would rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.

Next on the list?  Paris by Edward Rutherfurd.  While I have yet to read any of this author's other epic sagas, I have owned New York for quite some time and London for even longer.  Ah... some day...

But for now I am compelled to read Paris for a variety of reasons:   I have always had a love for this city and a desire to learn about its rich history, but I am also writing my own  novel (of sorts) that is set in the Paris of the 1880s. I am hoping that perhaps this book might serve as a bit of research.  It is an ambitious read, a little over 800 pages, and will have to compete with back to school preparations, but I am hopeful that the subject matter and writing style will inspire me to escape into its pages a little bit each day.