Connecticut Muse
Document Sample
Connecticut Muse
A Celebration of Contemporary Connecticut Authors
Summer 2009
UPCOMING WRITERS’ RETREATS
IN “CONN-TIGUOUS” STATES
Rhode Island - The Brown Writers’ Symposium July 19 - 25, 2009
Brown Writers’ Symposium offers an intensive, retreat-style environment designed for serious novice
and experienced writers interested in the exploration of the craft and art of creative nonfiction.
Contact: summer@brown.edu URL: http://brown.edu/scs/adult/bws/
Massachusetts - Nantucket Writers Studio June - September 2009
Kathryn Kay's workshops cover a range of topics including structure, character, description, and voice,
and her background in yoga and stress management helps foster an atmosphere that nurtures the creative
spirit and supports the writing process.
Contact: info@nantucketwritersstudio.com URL: http://www.nantucketwritersstudio.com
New York - The Adirondack Mountain Writers’ Retreat August 20 - 23, 2009
Teacher/writer/poet Irene Sherlock will lead this four-day creative writing workshop, which includes
seminars, blocks of writing time, readings, critique sessions, and private consultations. Participation
limited to 10 writers.
Contact: PersisGranger@aol.com URL: http://www.PersisGranger.com
Connecticut - Coveside Writing Workshop & Retreat October 3 - 4, 2009
Now in its eighth year, Coveside Writing Workshop & Retreat is the uniquely intensive, uniquely
intimate, hands-on writing workshop for writers of all genres. Through a pyramid of guided meditation,
free-writing, editing and revision, Anita Riggio leads the writer to discover the deeply personal well spring
of images and ideas that gives resonance to writing. Established and emerging writers alike will leave this
workshop exhilarated, exhausted, and brimming with stories only they can write.
Contact: info@covesidewritingworkshop.com URL: http://www.covesidewritingworkshop.com
Summer Music Day Camp at the
Music Learning Center
Music camp features a variety of fun activities for ages 4-12 to encourage musical skills and
appreciation, such as “Guitar Hero” and “Music Camp Idol” as well as musical instrument
building, singing, musical games and creating a theatrical performance with musical
accompaniment. Each camp week will include guest performers and a presentation by the
campers for family and friends. Sign up for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks ($165 per session).
July 13-17 (9:30-12:30)
July 20-24 (9:30-12:30)
July 27-31 (9:30-12:30 or 1:30-4:00)
August 3-7 (1:30-4:00)
August 18-21 (9:30-12:30)
To register, call (203) 748-1444.
The Music Learning Center is located at 425 Main Street in Danbury.
2
Connecticut Muse
A Celebration of Contemporary Connecticut Authors
Issue #18, Summer 2009
ISSN#1556-746X
Dear Connecticut Book Lovers,
Yes, you guessed it - The Dog Days of Summer are upon us! By the way, the term “Dog Days” was
used by the Greeks as well as the ancient Romans (who called these days caniculares dies - days of
the dogs) after Sirius (the "Dog Star"), the brightest star in the heavens besides the sun. The Dog Days
originally were the days when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as sunrise. According to the
Old Farmer’s Almanac, these steamy days occur from July 3 to August 11.
Traditionally, this is when many people go away on vacation. And there’s no better time to catch up
on those books you’ve been meaning to read! This summer, my family and I will be spending a week
in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. It will be a bit of a genealogical journey (my mother’s family hales
from Beaufort and Charleston). Among other sites, I plan to visit an area along the Pocotaligo River
where the family plantation was located before it was destroyed during the Civil War. I have begun a
record of this journey, documenting how I became interested in my “Southern Side” and what I have
learned so far from my initial research. See page 15 for the story. Part 2 of my journey will appear in
the fall issue of Connecticut Muse.
July and August are a bit quiet for literary activities in the state, but September is an important month
for Connecticut writers. The Connecticut Book Awards will take place in September at the Hartford
Public Library. It’s always a wonderful ceremony followed by a relaxed repast (featuring scrumptious
appetizers and wine). Book award finalists are on hand to sign copies of their books too. Don’t miss
this unique opportunity to meet and chat with many of our State’s talented authors.
Happy Summer and Happy Reading!
Patricia F. D’Ascoli
__________________________________________________________________________________
IN THIS ISSUE
Library Lost Love 4 New Releases 10
Review: Quarry 6 Literary Events 11
Review: Abby’s Dilemma 7 Muse Members 12
Confessions of a Hope Street Stalker 8 Muse Member News 14
Review: Plant Eaters & Meat Eaters 9 Ruminations: Genealogy Journey 15
3
Library Love Lost Joe points. “Upper stacks, right “The Library will close in FIVE
there...” He watches her run off. minutes.”
by Denning Powell
Carol climbs the stairs, finds the “...and then, Josh, our one magical
yearbooks, pulls one out. She night in Kandahar... you said you
flips it to a picture of a young man, were getting out of the Army, going
Joe, the late-shift librarian, stands strokes her fingers along it, home... that we should meet in the
behind the check-out counter. He murmuring. “Twenty-some years Library... where we first met...”
pores over a newspaper, highlight- of missed chances, Josh... husbands Carol sings more of the song:
ing words in yellow marker. and wives that didn’t work out...
Occasionally he shifts his weight we were the perfect couple... why “... longing for shelter from all that
from one leg to the other. He looks didn’t it happen?” we see...”
out at the nearly deserted library
main floor. No waves for help; it’s A tear drops on the yearbook page. She strokes the picture, closes the
a slow night. He wipes an eye, then She brushes it off, flips to another yearbook, hugs it to her breast,
goes back to the paper. page showing her younger self with crying.
a young Joshua behind her, his
A flash of color at the entry slips arms encircled under her breasts as “Well, I just got off the airplane,
into his peripheral vision. As foot- they sang into a microphone. love. And here I am. And I’ll be
steps click across the tile he high- here tomorrow, and the day after,
lights one more line before looking “Scandalized the whole damn and...”
up. A good-looking woman in school with that song, didn’t we...?”
jeans and a bright print shirt looks Carol remembers, singing softly to Arms enfold Carol from behind,
around as she strides in, then smiles herself in the empty library stacks: desert camouflage fatigues rolled
at him. He pushes the paper under up to the elbow. A green beret
the counter’s parapet. “Deep in my soul, I’ve been so shadows Joshua’s face. Carol
lonely... sighs, starts to turn in his embrace.
“Carol, hey! Welcome back! We All of my hopes, fading away...”
heard you’re coming back to work “No,” he murmurs, “just let me
at the Health Center. So that’s Another tear falls on that page. hold you, like I did back then...”
true?” Joe reaches his hand out. As she brushes at it the page flips, He sings softly in her ear as they
showing a loose newspaper clip- sway together:
Carol takes his hand, but leans over ping someone put there. It has a
the counter to kiss his cheek. photo of a smiling soldier in a “So here we are, babe, what do
green beret. She turns back to you say...
“Fourteen years around the world, Josh’s younger picture, holds the We’ve got tonight, who needs
Joe. Time to come home.” clipping beside it, comparing. She tomorrow...
smiles and goes back to the page We’ve got tonight, babe...
“Ah. Your mom? Her health?” with the two of them singing. Why don’t you stay?”
“Oh, partly. But Afghanistan... “They almost threw us out for that Carol turns in his arms and they
just... it got to me.” song. Then you went to West kiss, thoroughly. Finally she pulls
Point. And I went to pre-med, back.
“I hear nobody put more time in and...” Carol sings again, remem-
Doctors without Borders than you, bering more words: “Been waiting long?” she asks.
ever. South America, Africa... we
lost track.” Joe smiles at her. “I’ve longed for love, like everyone “No. A couple of weeks.” He
else does... brushes an errant tear from her
An announcement sounds over the cheek.
PA system: “The Library will close I know I’ll keep searching, even
in TEN minutes.” after today...” “You’re out of the Army now.”
“Oh! Quick, Joe. I just got off the The lights in the stack flick off, “Fair to say.”
airplane, and it looks like you’re leaving only dimmer light coming
totally re-organized here. Where up from the main floor below. “But still in uniform?”
are the Conard yearbooks now?” Another PA announcement sounds:
4
He smiles. “Old habits die hard.” “Come take my hand now...” Carol pauses at the front door,
Carol offers. ready to walk out into the darkness.
“Like still sneaking up on people?” Her right hand moves out from her
“Turn out the lights...” Joshua side, open.
“I’m a spook, love. That’s what sings.
Special Forces do.” “Come take my hand now...” she
Joe watches her leave, puzzled, not sings.
Another PA announcement sounds: quite hearing what she said. He
“The Library is now CLOSING.” pulls the newspaper into the full Carol’s hand clasps. She walks out
desk light. It shows a big spread of alone, but two voices sing together
Carol turns, slides the yearbook pictures and stories about the home- in close harmony:
back onto its shelf. When she turns town hero, Major Joshua Jacob
back Joshua is gone. As she walks Christensen, US Army 5th Special “We’ve got tonight, babe...
down the stairs his voice tracks her, Forces Group. Words are high- why don’t we stay...”
coming from different places, lighted in yellow marker: operating
singing: in the south of Afghanistan... Silver Joe switches off the desk light.
Star, posthumous... burial with full
“We’ve got tonight...” military honors... died in the ser- A refrain drifts back into the library
vice of his country... Joe whispers from the empty darkness outside,
She responds: his sadness to her retreating back: voices interwoven:
“Who needs tomorrow...”
“I’m sorry you missed the funeral, “We’ve got tonight, babe...
“Let’s make it last...” he offers. Carol. They beat the drum slowly. why don’t we stay...”
They played the fife lowly. Just
“Let’s find a way...” she agrees. like it says. It was truly beautiful.
This story is a visualization of a song.
The ceiling lights cascade off from I cried the whole time. I loved him Lyrics from We Got Tonight by Bob
the back of the library forward, too, you know. Our whole class Seger, c1978.
following her. She waves at Joe in did.”
passing.
One Book One Lake -
A Walk in the Woods
by Bill Bryson
A partnered reading program presented by the Then followed that beautiful
libraries of Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, season... Summer....
New Milford, and Sherman. A variety of events Filled was the air with a
will also take place in the area during July. dreamy and magical light;
Book discussion dates: and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the
July 13 at 6:30 New Milford Library
freshness of childhood.
July 14 at 6:00 Danbury Library
July 15 at 6:30 New Fairfield Library
July 16 at 7:00 Brookfield Library Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
July 17 at 12:00 Brookfield Sr. Center
July 17 at 7:30 Sherman Library
5
you are going to encounter in the “You deserve respect/as a water
rest of the book. But the auctioneer wizard and this red tobacco tin.”
can’t sell his poems.
Prose? Could be. But if you let the
Too bad. They are illuminating and poems build all the way through,
tender and strangely quiet, though you’ll surpass the line-by-line
throughout the book, Kelleher poetic experience, and allow the
exposes you to all of the noisy accumulation of carefully chosen
activities in a hard laborer’s day— phrases to make a poetic impact.
the sound of cracking axes splitting In the poem “Hammers,” Kelleher
wood, and the sputtering truck starts us with the banging straight
engines and cars. He leaves you on. He throws us a mouthful of
with a picture of vehicles stuck alliterative words regarding
Quarry deep, and forever, in the never- hammers.
Poems by Jim Kelleher ending snow banks of Northeastern
Reviewed by winters. “I keep two Estwings;/a waffled,
sure-strike/ framer’s mauls/and a
Ina B. Chadwick
There’s a semi-diffidence in his finish tool/with a round smooth
observational reportage, which he face./
delivers with a leatherneck’s
verbiage, but his sensitivity to the Balanced steel heads/slam nails.
If you were nurtured on plaintive
neighbors, the tightly-bound- Blue handles swung fast with loose
structured sonnets, or if you have a
together-out-of-necessity-townies, wrists,/the long arc adds pope/to
penchant for familiar lyricism, read-
the workers and acquaintances he impact’s fierce twack!”
ing Jim Kelleher’s poetry is a
meets in his harsh physical environ-
requirement for your literary
ment, create a distinct aura of a man Banging and banging away the
growth. Surely some of his poems
who is careful, loving, and finely author ends the poem with:
will expand your sensibilities about
tuned to language.
imagery, and how the impact of
hammers hang claws/to pry bent
certain words lingers.
He is a poet who avoids all clichés, spikes/I fix mistakes/But today my
or unoriginal rhetoric when he’s angry words/bruised your loving
This reviewer had to push past the
writing of how he has hurt a lover. heart./”
impulse to stop when Kelleher’s
He is able to thrust us into an
narrative, no-nonsense poetic voice
Edward Hopper painting of rural It’s a love poem with an emotion-
irritated my ear. However, since I
America, stopped dead, yet still in filled crash at the end. A deft voice
was cooped up on a train, I dug in,
motion—a car outside of a gas wielding an expensive
allowing the poet to steadfastly
station, perhaps broken down or hammer.
hammer away at my preconceived
abandoned? Or repaired and ready
notions. I heard him employ
to be driven away after we close the In the poem, “Cord Work,” the
blunted rhythms while using the
book. drone-like activity of splitting and
tools of his trade, the hard-edged
piling wood to protect himself from
imagery of a garage and a work-
Kelleher’s verse doesn’t feel like a the potential deadly winter cold
bench.
recognizable song from the heart, evolves into a jaunty jiving rhythm.
but it’s tuneful nevertheless. Devoid Using a semi-unexpected beat, you
Kelleher is a craftsman, both in his
of all sappy verse, it’s a Country realize Kelleher is contemporary.
real life and in his literature—a
Eastern, not a Country Western, He is not stuck in an Ethan Frome
carpenter part-time and a creative
song. fog of joylessness. He takes colors
writing teacher as well, and when
and shapes and ends this poem with
he pounds away verse after verse he
In the poem “Leonard Phelps,” a shoulder shrug and snapping
achieves pathos and vulnerability.
Kelleher admires his taciturn fingers with the beat.
An acute observer, he is singing in
crusty old plumber, who has saved
a distinctly man-voice.
Kelleher’s pipes from disaster. He “Orange afternoons I sweat to split
offers him a gift of a red tobacco dead tree logs. I saw and square/big
When Kelleher first enters the
tin. No conversation. No mushy blocks of fuel. I spit/on sore thumbs
book, he’s an observer at an auction
thank you. A container for the fetid and I don’t care./
of his tools after his death, and he’s
leaves he can chew.
rattling off the imagistic toolbox
6
Forget money, woman honey,/ Abby’s Dilemma: observes Mike’s possessiveness and
Missy’s denials. Soon she becomes
friend family, even poetry/The My Best Friend involved in deception to protect her
axe and I are here to hit wide ribbed Is Being Abused
chunks of etiquette./Why? Why friend. As Abby tries to figure out a
not?/” by Shirley Pierce Bostrom solution, she draws in family and
Reviewed by friends for support.
What is important to Kelleher, in a Elaine Violette
world where New England winters Missy agrees to work with Abby to
might embitter others, is the vibrant Abby’s Dilemma by Shirley Pierce plan a Wellness Day at their school
lives he sees around him as being Bostrom presents a unique opportu- where date violence is a major
shaped by surroundings. This nity to educate teenagers about date topic. These few chapters become
reviewer could hear a tender Irish violence without being preachy. the most poignant part of the novel
heart beating at the wrist pulse of Abby, a high school freshman and as Bostrom expertly includes facts,
his calloused hands. He’s a steely narrator of the story, wants desper- statistics, and intervention strate-
guy locked into an arena where ately to help her long time friend gies. Guest speakers, Mr. and Mrs.
sentimentality is unwelcome. Missy. Missy is involved in an Pierce, parents of a murdered
unhealthy relationship with Mike, daughter, present riveting testimony
The poet’s days of mandatory, a student at their high school. Abby about the unhealthy cycle of abuse
exhausting chores have given him suspects that Mike is an abuser and and the tragic consequences of date
a significant gift, a sort of poet- she is in a quandary over what to violence. Bostrom writes, “An
mechanic with invented machinery, do. She doesn’t want to betray her abuser systematically destroys a
a nuts and bolts language that he friend’s trust but when Missy ends partner’s self esteem with put
can call his own. up in the hospital from what she downs… Abuse is power and
describes as an accidental fall, control - not love or passion.”
Abby suspects Mike is responsible. Missy’s loss of confidence and
***************************** insecurities illustrates this truth.
Missy makes excuses for her boy- The reader gains vital information
friend’s verbal abuse and mood on warning signs and positive
swings insisting that Mike can be measures that friends and family
really “sweet” though clear signs can take to help victims break the
of abuse and manipulation are evi- cycle and escape further abuse.
The Enchanted dent to her friends. After each abu-
Forest sive incident, Mike apologizes and Bostrom succeeds in creating a
moving narrative and a cautionary
showers her with compliments and
expensive gifts. As he wields message about date violence and
Figurines, Plush,
greater control over Missy, she includes powerful testimony to the
Candles, Balloons, tragic truths of abuse in too many
Seasonal Items becomes more dependent on his
approval and believes that she households. This YA novel would
deserves the abuse. In trying to be a positive addition to every
Greeting Cards $.50 middle and high school library as
please him, she lies to her parents
and avoids her friends. Eventually, well as in the offices of school
Melissa & Doug Missy faces the danger of her counselors who are confronted
Wooden Toys! situation. By this time her self daily with signs of abuse. If a
confidence is in shreds. Mike’s fear-filled victim refuses to talk
threats leave her fearful that he about an abusive situation, he or
GREAT GIFTS &
will do greater injury to her or to she might gain the courage to speak
ACCESSORIES out after reading Abby’s Dilemma.
himself.
Unique Affordable As the violence escalates, Bostrom Shirley Bostrom and her
Silver Jewelry uses the characters’ predicaments husband visit schools to
to illustrate the importance of talk- raise awareness of the
285 Litchfield Road ing to caring adults when friends warning signs for dating
(Route 202) are in trouble, even if it means los- violence. She is preparing
New Milford, CT ing their friendships. Abby’s prom- a training program about
ise to keep Missy’s secrets be- dating violence.
860-350-5430
comes increasingly difficult as she
7
Confessions of the display it, talk-show hosts don’t self-image. But, if I wanted my
clamor for your visit, and the book- life-long dream of full-time author-
Hope Street Stalker buying public has no idea that it ship to become reality, I had to find
by Julian Padowicz exists. If the public does not know a way to also see myself as a legiti-
your book exists, they don’t buy it, mate promoter.
and, if they don’t buy it, your pub-
lisher will have little interest in Selecting what I considered to be
publishing your next opus. And, the most painless medium, I
instead of going on to fame and composed a letter with versions
I do best with women joggers or fortune, the first-time author must addressing librarians, ministers,
walkers, but sometimes one will be begin from scratch in his or her priests, and rabbis to tell them about
gardening close to the street or effort to get that second book the availability of my talk. I mailed
sitting in a car, standing at a stop published. So Julian Padowicz, approximately 50 such letters and
sign. Men are fair game too, but celebrated author, had to become didn’t receive a single reply. With
they’re not as responsive. Because Julian Padowicz, book huckster. more drastic measures obviously
I was well brought up, I usually necessary, I steeled myself and took
begin by asking whether I may give to the telephone. Awkward as I
them something, which usually found it, this method seemed to
makes them a little suspicious and work and, pretty soon, I had booked
they’re likely to ask what it is that several talks.
I’m offering. If it’s a woman, I say
something like, “Well, I would like The talks were a success. People
to give you diamonds and pearls,” attended, asked questions, and
which usually makes them even purchased books. Since my book is
more suspicious. Then I add, “But a personal memoir, the questions
all I can offer you is a review of my usually had to with my life, my
book.” At this point, they usually feelings, and my thoughts. This
relax and ask what the book is Self-promotion is not in the DNA was a marvelously rewarding
about. of most writers. If it were, most of experience. What proved equally
us would have found an easier and rewarding was the fact that the
In my mid 70’s, I have retired from more lucrative occupation. While word began to circulate among
a documentary filmmaking career our egos and our built-in creativity librarians and clergy that I offered
and have become what I’ve wanted often enable us to do an effective a program that would be of interest
to be all of my life—a full-time job of presenting ourselves and our to their constituencies. Now I get
author. My memoir, Mother and output, once we’re “on stage,” e-mails inviting me to come and
Me: Escape from Warsaw 1939, achieving that “stage” time requires speak. To my writer’s ego, this is
was published by a boutique a certain chutzpah and an impervi- ambrosia, indeed. It also sells
publisher in Chicago, in 2006, ousness to rejection, qualities that books.
received great reviews, was named are not usually part and parcel of a
“Book of the Year” by ForeWord writer’s personality. This new success has awakened an
Magazine, and I sat back to await aspect of my personality that must
interview requests and watch the I had little difficulty in composing have been hiding all of my life –
royalties come pouring in. an informative and even amusing an aspect that suddenly sees anyone
talk about my book to present who has not been exposed to my
It didn’t happen that way. to interested audiences. But those book as prey to be confronted and
interested audiences were some- indoctrinated. And so, I have
I discovered that the hard reality thing I had been expecting to come produced a two-sheet flyer - the
of present-day book marketing is looking for me, due to the market- first sheet is a letter addressed to
that unless publishers are assured ing efforts of my publisher. The “Dear Friend.” It apologizes for
of best-selling success – because idea of approaching libraries, pressing this flyer on the person
of your name or particularly churches, synagogues, and the like and explains that in today’s book-
provocative subject matter – they to tell them about my informative marketing climate an author must
do not, usually, promote your book and amusing talk, and then being promote his own work vigorously.
beyond sending a press release to told, “thank you, but no thank you,” The second sheet is a comprehen-
your local papers. If the book is not seemed distasteful and totally out of sive review of Mother and Me. I
promoted, book stores will not character with my celebrated-author carry several copies of this flyer at
8
all times, engaging people in abandonment or homosexuality is
conversation at every opportunity, addressed in one way or the other,
and handing them a copy. one short story at a time. Odd
couples, like a mother and son, or
I have no way of knowing how two little girls are included in the
many copies I’ve actually sold by characters plucked from an invisi-
this method. But, on more than ble place out of obscurity.
one occasion, as I’ve stopped some
unsuspecting jogger on my six-mile Treat writes as if she were offering
run along Hope Street and Ponus an invitation to be a witness, to
Ridge, they will tell me that we’ve become a voyeur in these lives, the
met before and that they read my lives of her characters. She takes
book, and loved it. And when this Plant Eaters and on the subject of partnership like
wonderful thing happens, passing Meat Eaters someone who knows the inner
motorists are often treated to the by Jessica Treat circuitry of success and failure.
sight of two people in running Reviewed by Relationship is a treacherous
shorts, hugging on the side of the Linda Merlino subject; the power of two is a
road. formidable topic.
***************************** When you fall in love, you fall in With skill and an inner knowing,
ATTENTION love with yourself, when you kill Jessica Treat offers insight and wis-
yourself you kill someone else. dom into her short story collection.
LIBRARIANS! However, be mindful that Meat
(from “Meeting M”).
Eaters and Plant Eaters is a title
The Northwestern Connecticut that requires thought. What does
Pour yourself a cup of tea and get
Author Book Discussion Series meat eaters mean? Is it about
comfortable; reading Jessica Treat’s
is now available for your library. newest collection of short stories digestion, food preferences? Can
Launched at the Northwestern will absorb an afternoon. When we parallel life to that of dinosaurs?
Connecticut Community College you turn the last page and close the It would seem we can, those
this spring, the series is hosted book, you will still be thinking of “efficient hunting machines” versus
by Patricia D’Ascoli. The series Meat Eaters and Plant Eaters the stones in your gut from eating
features memoirs and novels plants, or maybe from believing
written by contemporary authors In this thought provoking third instead of a being a cynic and yes,
collection of short stories, Treat so much better to be a meat eater
who live in northwest CT.
offers her readers an eclectic mix and so much safer to be able to
of affairs. The thread or the link fight back when it is you and the
Black & White Tyrannosaurus.
in these genius short stories is
by Dani Shapiro relationships. One word, that
Tipperary when empowered, can take over “But you almost killed him. That’s
by Frank Delaney your life, for good or for bad. enough isn’t it, to shake off habit,
Glass Houses that covering you always wear -
by Jane Haddam The pairing of a man and a woman that’s enough, isn’t it? (from “Tea
Exit Ghost caught in a web of marriage, denial, Cup”).
by Philip Roth
Slow Motion
by Dani Shapiro
Angela’s Ashes
by Frank McCourt
Them: A Memoir of Parents
by Francine du Plessix Gray
For more information or to book
this series, contact Patricia
D’Ascoli at 860-354-6488 or
email pfdasc@aol.com.
9
It’s Not that I’m Bitter Shear Magic
by Gina Barreca by Lori Avocato
St. Martin’s Press The Wild Rose Press
In essays that mull everything from the A conservative rancher and a free-
horror of chin hairs to why the “glass spirited photographer are forced to
ceiling” is better described as a thick share more than a common lake in the
layer of men, with sharp wit, Barreca steamy New Mexico desert. And
tells women to stop believing the lies they must decide whether wealth and
and conquer the world. property are worth more than love.
How to Build a Business The Art & Craft of
Warren Buffet Would Buy Screenwriting
by Jeff Benedict by Shelly Frome
Shadow Mountain Publishing McFarland & Company
Any entrepreneur will appreciate this This guide for screenwriters and those
fascinating story sharing the life lessons interested in the screenwriting process
that Bill Child learned as he built R. C. includes essential screenwriting skills,
Willey, a highly successful furniture various options and methods, and
business bought out by Warren Buffett. revealing interviews with established
and seasoned professionals.
You Want to Go Where? How to Origins of the Specious: Myths
Get Someone To Pay for the Trip and Misconceptions of the
of Your Dreams English Language
by Jeff Blumenfeld by Patricia O’Conner
Skyhorse publishing Random House
Part how-to; Part memoir. A sharp, Reveals the misconceptions that have
inside look at adventure expeditions led generations of language lovers
from a seasoned expert in Adventure astray and why some of grammar’s
marketing. best-known “rules” aren’t rules at all.
Norwich, Connecticut Beyond Walden:The Hidden
by William Shannon, Dale Plummer, History of America’s Kettle
David Oat, Eric Beit and Leslie Furrey Lakes and Ponds
Arcadia Publishing by Robert Thorson
Vintage postcards from the 19th and Walker & Company
20th centuries depict the many sides Provides a complete natural and cultural
of Norwich through images of its ways history of kettle lakes, remnants of the Ice
of life, places of worship, and social Age scattered along the path of retreating
organizations. glaciers from Maine to Montana.
Also Known as Harper Purge
by Ann Haywood Leal by Sarah Darer Littman
Henry Holt & co. Scholastic
Harper is an aspiring poet, and life Written in first person, including
gives her a lot to write about. When journal entries, this chronicle of teen
her father walks out, her family is bulimia unfolds as 16-year-old Janie
evicted and their lives are turned describes her stay in a rehabilitation
upside down. center for eating disorders.
10
LITERARY EVENTS IN CONNECTICUT
July Miss America Pageant will take 23 at 11:00 Prill Boyle, author of Defying
place following the presentation. Gravity, will give a lively lecture at The
Watermark, at 3030 Park Avenue in
3 at 3:00 Jan Mann at Subfest,
24 at 7:00 Carol Ascher, author of Bridgeport. Includes luncheon. Awards
Groton Subase, Book Signing
Afterimages will discuss and sign will be given to Fairfield County residents,
her memoir at A Common Ground age 70+ who have made significant
5 at 2:00 Jan Mann at Mystic Sea-
Community Arts & Dance Studio, contributions to the community.
port Bookstore, Book Signing
345 Main Street, Danbury. The
proceeds from the event will benefit 24 at 6:00 Carole Shmurak will present
9 at 3:00 Jan Mann at Deep River
programs at A Common Ground. Private Lives of Private Eyes at New
Farmers Market, Book Signing
Haven Public Library
31 at 6:00 Sharon Summer Book
10 at 7:00 Charles Van Doren will
Signing, a benefit for the Hotchkiss 24 at 12:00 Jan Mann at Brookfield Senior
present Abraham Lincoln: The
Library of Sharon, featuring 26 Center, Book Talk & Signing
Man and the Myth at UConn
authors, including Francine du
Torrington. His books, A History
Plessix Gray, Frank Delaney, Ann
of Knowledge and The Joy of Read-
Leary, Mary–Ann Tirone Smith,
ing, as well as Wendell Minor’s
and others. $25 admission includes
two illustrated children’s books,
wine and hors d’oeurvres.
Abraham Lincoln Comes Home
and Abe Lincoln Remembers will Coyote
be for sale. Event takes place at August by Mark Saba
Francis W. Hogan Lecture Hall,
855 University Drive, Torrington. 19 at 7:00 Jessica Bram, author of
Happily Ever After Divorce: Notes
11 at 1:00 Jan Mann at Borders of a Joyful Journey will do a book
Books, Meriden, Book Signing presentation at The Watermark,
3030 Park Avenue, Bridgeport A silver light for darkness:
13 at 7:00 Jan Mann East Granby pointed fur snug it its
Library, Book Talk & Signing 27 at 7:00 Jessica Treat presents immobility, eyes closed,
her new collection Meat Eaters &
14 at 6:00 Bill Evans will discuss Plant Eaters at Oliver Wolcott Pub- we watch first from a distance,
and sign his new book Frozen Fire lic Library, 160 South Street, Litch- then closer, this storybook character
at Arcadia Café, 28 Arcadia Road, field with reading & talk about the who roamed the twenty-first century
Old Greenwich relationship between writing and
teaching. suburb after suburb; shadow gardens
14 at 6:00 Judith-Marks White of night houses, empty streets
book event sponsored by Ladies
Who Launch, at the home of Ann September and connecting woods
never unfamiliar. But at dawn
Abram, 6 Clapboard Hill Road,
Westport 2 at 2:00 Carole Shmurak will
present Private Lives of Private things began to move, surround
Eyes at Southbury Library its grayed hide
15 at 6:00 Jan Mann at Burlington with unexpected color. Now it lies
Library, Book Talk & Signing 16 at 7:00 Carole Shmurak will
discuss and sign her new book at outlined by yellow ribbon, off-limits
21 at 6:30 Jan Mann at Jonathan the Salem public Library
to those who shared its dreamtime.
Trumbull Library, Lebanon, Book Silver tips in moonlight.
Talk & Signing 20 at 2:00 Eighth Annual CT Book
Awards, Keynote: Tomie dePaola sacrifice to fantasy.
Program at 2:00. Free & open to Our world and his,
22 at 1:00 Penny Pearlman author lying side to side, protected
of Pretty Smart: Lessons from Our the public. Reception and signings
Miss Americas will present at The by finalists & winners 3:30-5:30.
Tickets $45 per person. Call 860- this only moment.
Watermark, 3030 Park Avenue in
Bridgeport. A special Watermark 695- 6320 or klyons@hplct.org
11
MUSE MEMBERS
Alysse Aallyn Ina B. Chadwick Mel Hathorn
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Carol Ascher Robert Crooke Lee Jacobus
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TJ Banks R.L. Crossland Carol Keeney
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Marie Bostwick Shelly Frome David Leff
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Ann Brophy Carol Gursky Tessa Smith McGovern
www.annbrophy.com cgrsky@aol.com www.tessasmithmcgovern.com
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13
MUSE MEMBER NEWS
Carol Ascher will read from her CT Muse Members Win
memoir Afterimages and will
discuss her book as well as memoir 2009 CT Press Club
writing at the first in a series of Communications Awards:
evenings with Connecticut authors
at A Common Ground, 346 Main
Street, Danbury on Friday, July 24
at 7:00 pm. Wine and nibbles will Fiction - First Place:
be served. Suggested donation The Deadliest Strain by
of $10 will benefit A Common
Jan Coffey
Ground.
(Jim & Nikoo McGoldrick)
Stacy DeKeyser will be teach-
ing a summer writing workshop
for teens at the Farmington River Jim & Nikoo McGoldrick
Literary Arts Center, at 40 Mill Fiction - Second Place:
Lane, in Farmington. The workshop Belly of the Whale
will consist of 4 sessions, on by Linda Merlino
Mondays and Wednesdays, July 20-
29. Registration is $125. Call 860-
677-9662 or visit frlac.org for
more information. Column - First Place:
My Fellow Americans
Julian Padowicz announces by Judith Marks-White
that the sequel to his memoir “The Light Touch”
"Mother and Me" will be released Westport News
in November, under the title "A
Ship in the Harbor." It takes place
in Hungary, where he and his
mother escaped from occupied
Poland in 1940, thinking they Creative Writing - First Place: Linda Merlino and Judith Marks-White
would be free of the Nazi and When Janice Bailey
Soviet threats. He notes that they Tessa Smith McGovern
were forced to go into hiding, how-
ever, when the Nazi-sympathizing
Hungarian regime learned that his
mother had bragged to a Hungarian Y.A. Fiction - First Place:
border security officer that she was Jump the Cracks
going to write a book exposing
by Stacy DeKeyser
Nazi and Soviet atrocities.
Joe Vojt was recently interviewed
by The Valley Press (May 28) for
a piece called “Farmington Valley Children’s Book - First Place:
Author Reveals His ‘Prophesy’” The Winter Lodge
in which he discusses his new novel by Gwen North Reiss
“Enduring Prophesy.”
Stacy DeKeyser
Brian Clements announces
publication of An Introduction to Poetry - First Place:
the Prose Poem, edited by Brian Lion’s Tooth
Clements and Jamey Dunham. by Connie-Magnan Albrizio
14
connection with it! A little research the citizens of South Carolina; even
taught me that South Carolina was those who had not participated
called the “hot bed of secession” directly in the war paid dearly in its
and was, in fact, the first state to aftermath. Eventually, my great,
withdraw from the Union. South great grandfather moved out of
Carolina fought the war to preserve the Lowcountry to Aiken, South
slavery. And the inhabitants of this Carolina where he and his son John
rebel state were ultimately punished Colcock Hutson (my great grand-
for their transgressions by General father) opened up an insurance
Patricia Hutson Fryer D’Ascoli William Tecumseh Sherman. business. In 1871, Dr. Hutson and
his wife Eliza Bacot Hutson died
Ruminations My first cousin, Mike Hutson, the within one month of each another.
family genealogist, recently sent
A Genealogy Journey Part I me a memoir written in the early I wanted to know these people; to
20th century by my grandfather’s understand what their lives were
Family history research seems to first cousin, Martha Hutson like; most of all to experience their
be all the rage these days. Over Heyward. Her stories of the family world. I was fortunate to have the
the years, I have dabbled in a bit of and of Prince William Parish names of my ancestors provided to
genealogy, but it was only recently before, during and after the Civil me. But their names were without
that I became interested in learning War, or “the War Between the context. So I began to research the
more about my “Southern Side.” States,” opened a door to a world geography and history of the locale.
Well it didn’t take me I was wholly unfamiliar with. I did this in several ways: by using
long to get hooked. Most touching about the Google (one of the greatest finding
When I found out that memoir was her poignant aides around), by gathering data
my great, great grand- description of the devastating from Ancestry.com (mostly census
father and I share the losses the family suffered records) and by reading articles,
same birthday, I felt an and how difficult it was for memoirs and books. I found a
instant connection to him. them to survive after the war. wealth of information; the difficulty
Born on February 6, 1803 now is sorting through it all to
in Prince William Parish Cedar Grove, the Hutson determine what is useful and what
of the Beaufort District in family home for more than I should do with the findings!
South Carolina, Thomas 100 years, was burned to
Woodward Hutson lived Elizabeth Vernon Hutson the ground, as were most Although I love to do research, I
in the antebellum South, a of the plantations in that soon realized that I would need to
world that seems almost surreal area. Dispossessed, Dr. Hutson and have a specific goal to work toward.
today. He was a planter and a his large family became refugees, But what story did I want to tell;
physician of note in a rice growing forced to relocate and begin a new and how might it be significant to
region where slaves provided the life elsewhere. At the war’s end, others? Could my findings be
back breaking labor essential to my great, great grandfather had assembled in a way that would
the successful operation of tidal three grown children by his first make them publishable? If so,
rice plantations. While I am cer- wife who died in 1837, what publication, if any,
tainly not proud that my family and nine children with his might be interested? One
owned slaves, I am, nonetheless, second wife, two of whom option might be for me to
greatly intrigued by this period of died during the war from write a personal essay about
history and the role my ancestors scarlet fever. He tried to the process of discovering
played in it. continue practicing medi- aspects of my family history
cine, but people were so (perhaps for a magazine like
Civil War history occupied an poor after the war, that Family Tree or Ancestry).
ancient corner of my mind, long many were unable to pay To describe the excitement
ago forgotten after a high school him. And although he of finding clues, establishing
American history class. I vaguely attempted to plant his rice connections, going back into
remembered a few facts and note- crops, without the slaves the past, delving into
Thomas Woodward Hutson
worthy names, but nothing of to work the land, it was history - it is all incredibly
substance about the events. How an arduous, and if not impossible fascinating. The process is a bit
quickly history comes alive, task. After the war, “Radical like an archeological dig; it
though, when there is a personal Reconstruction” wreaked havoc on requires careful sifting through
15
layers of inconsequential material meant to be part of a certain elite Lowcountry in Charleston, my
to finally uncover that hidden jewel class whose identity was deeply mother never traveled to that part
buried beneath. I sought the jewel connected to the land and to the of South Carolina where her great
that would open the door to a time rice; and to a way of life associated grandfather lived and worked and
and a place that no longer exist. with prestige and power. was laid to rest. And why would
she? There were only ruins, long
My great, great grandfather’s world The Lowcountry rice planter life- grown over; no sign of glorious
was, however, readily accessible style ended in 1865. Homes and gardens or avenues lined with live
through all of the material written lands were destroyed, crops failed, oaks; no trace of rice fields to see.
about it. And the more I read, the fortunes were lost, families split All that remained of that bygone
more I wanted to explore the ways apart. Whether or not these planters era was Stoney Creek Presbyterian
in which his culture changed from attempted to rebuild, the landscape chapel in a tiny pineland village
its pre-war existence to its attempts was forever changed. In many called McPhersonville, where
at recovery (specifically, the period cases, future generations had no planter families summered. And
from 1860 to 1870). To learn what relationship at all with the land or a small cemetery by the same name
life was like for the Lowcountry with the cultivation of rice. And where Dr. Thomas Woodward
planter class, I began to compile a so, the planters’ legacy was neither Hutson is buried, along with other
list of books that addressed as many land nor money. It was, instead, members of the Hutson family.
facets of the culture as possible: something intangible but perhaps
tidal rice planting, the antebellum more significant that they passed on I will be the one to journey to the
plantation lifestyle, master/slave to their progeny. It is this legacy I land of my ancestors, so that I can
relationships, South Carolina’s hope to understand. complete an essential part of my
role in the Civil War, Lowcountry quest. I will touch the gravestones
planter class reactions to the war, My grandfather, Harry Maine and feel the quiet coolness of the
economic changes during and after Hutson, the son of John C. Hutson pine forest; I will float along the
the war, emancipation, the new free and grandson of Thomas W. Hutson murky Pocotaligo River; I will see
labor market, and the challenges was born in Aiken, South Carolina. the tangled jungle of tropical
posed by Reconstruction. It turned He never knew Dr. Hutson, who growth and moss laden trees, and
out to be a lot of material to digest. died before he was born. Did his I will imagine the rice fields once
father tell him stories about life on flooded by the incoming tide.
When I am intrigued by a subject, a rice plantation in Prince William
though, it is easy for me to become Parish? Did my grandfather know It is only when I am finally there, in
immersed in the process of “finding of his father’s fearful escape from his Lowcountry world, where I will
out.” Imagine my delight, then, Pocotaligo and his life as a refugee; travel this summer, that I can truly
when I hit “pay dirt” by discovering his family’s attempt to make a new feel that connection with my great,
a work that provided a detailed life, and his eventual success in a great grandfather and to those who
examination of the very time, place field that was far removed from the came before him. And I will tell
and culture I sought to understand! rice lands of his father? his story, because that is what I do.
This jewel was a doctoral disserta- I am the family chronicler who
tion written by James H. Tuten If my grandfather did hear such asks the questions and looks for
entitled: Time and Tide: Cultural tales, I am fairly certain that he did the answers, who needs to under-
Changes and Continuities Among not share them with my mother. stand the past. For there is no
the Rice Plantations of the Low- Although she was born in the denying that the past is and always
country, 1860-1930. I contacted will be entirely relevant.
Dr. Tuten, a college history profes- The great Southern writer
sor, who was kind enough to send William Faulkner said it
me a copy of his 409 page thesis, best, perhaps, when he
which was chock full of references wrote, “The past is never
relevant to my quest. Time & Tide dead. It’s not even past.”
gave me the kind of information I
needed to gain a perspective on the
19th century Lowcountry world in Part II of my Genealogy
in which my ancestors’ lived - from Journey will be about my
its antebellum days, to is wartime experience visiting the
Lowcountry. It will appear
destruction, to its inevitable demise.
in the fall issue.
The thesis also addressed what it
Old Pocotaligo Depot, Prince William Parish
16
When you work with people who about as miserable as you can,
want to be writers, what traits right?” I said, “Yeah.” The light
seem to indicate potential? turned green and she said, “You’re
getting ready for a breakthrough.”
Probably more than anything else,
persistence. They can’t stop doing We both drove off. And sure enough
it, setbacks and obstacles or not. the next day, whatever the conun-
They can’t stop forcing writing on drum was, it was solved. It’s like a
to you. They’re not put off by criti- moment of combustion. There’s this
cism, they’re hungry for it. They fact and that fact and then, all of a
don’t think that they already have it sudden, you see this tree, and you
right. They want to know what to think, “There’s the tree! There’s
do. Sometimes it’s just a single sen- where it happened!” You can’t
Novel Ideas: tence that sticks out in a bunch of explain it. You simply have to
Contemporary Authors mundane stuff that makes you know reassure fellow writers that it will
they’ve got it in them. Here’s an happen. You open yourself up to
Share the Creative Process example. A couple of years ago, I the story.
(Second Edition) judged a fiction contest for teen-
Univ. of Georgia Press agers sponsored by USA Today.
by Barbara Shoup There were some impressive entries *****************************
from all over the country. The story
I chose for first place rose to the
Novel Ideas provides a substantial top of the pile on the basis of a
introduction to the elements of single, striking image of a backyard
fiction followed by in-depth inter- pear tree whose fruit looked like Who Is
views with successful novelists who hundreds of golden sitting Buddhas.
speak with candor and insight into You just know that young writer has
Mark
the complex process by which a it in her, if she stays with it, to Twain?
novel is made. This edition includes reach the stars. by
new and updated interviews as well Mark Twain
as writing exercises. Aspiring Later in the interview, Lamb goes himself
novelists will find hands-on strate- on to relate an anecdote about
gies for beginning, working through how he was able to move past a
and revising a novel; accomplished particularly tough time in the
novelists will discover new ways to writing process:
solve the problems they face in When Mark Twain died in 1910, he
process; and readers of contempo- One day, I had a wonderful experi- left behind the largest collection of
rary fiction will enjoy a glimpse ence with another writer. I was at a personal papers created by any
into the way novels are made. really hard point with She’s Come 19th-century American author.
Novel Ideas includes interviews Undone and I was thinking of This new book includes 24 pieces
with: Dorothy Allison, Larry giving up. It was one of the many by Twain selected by Robert Hirst,
Brown, Peter Cameron, Michael times I thought of abandoning that General Editor of The Mark Twain
Chabon, Michael Cunningham, book. Things were not going right. Project at UC Berkeley. The title is
Robb Forman Dew, Richard Ford, I couldn’t figure it out. For about inspired by a piece called “Frank
Ha Jin, Patricia Henley, Charles three weeks I was just stuck, and Fuller and My First New York
Johnson, Wally Lamb, Valerie suddenly I found myself stuck in Lecture,” in which Twain covers
Martin, Jill McCorkle, Sena Jeter traffic, waiting to go eastbound at the city with ads to promote his talk
Naslund, Lewis Nordan, Sheri the light, and this woman I know, at the Cooper Union (will anyone
Reynolds, S. J. Rozan, Jane Smiley, Anne Levanthal, who’s also a attend?). Later that day, Twain sees
Lee Smith and Theodore Weesner. writer, pulled up beside me in two men gazing at one of his ads.
another lane. We were both waiting One man says to the other: “Who is
The following is an excerpt of the at the red light. And she called out, Mark Twain?” The other responds:
interview with Wally Lamb, author “Wally! How’s it going?” And I did “God Knows-I Don’t.” Who is
of She’s Come Undone, I Know this my whining, “Oh, it’s terrible. I Mark Twain? shines new light on
Much Is True and most recently, hate this. I’m going to give up.” one of America’s most beloved
The Hour I First Believed: And she said, “You’re feeling just literary icons (and a CT author)!
17
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