I'm still posting regularly on my "original" blog: Every Step of the Way. But this blog is about writing, specifically, although my post tonight on the other blog tells how I'll be attending the Memphis Creative Nonfiction Writer's Workshop next month. Check that one out!
One of my favorite things to do each month is to attend the BB Queens book club. We are a chapter of the Pulpwood Queens, based in Jefferson, Texas, which just happens to be the location of the annual Girlfriend Weekend, where authors and lovers of their books converge. I've met big-time authors like Pat Conroy and Fannie Flagg, and up-and-comers like Ad Hudler, River Jordan and Shellie Tomlinson. Getting to know the authors makes reading their words even more special.
One of the books our club read early on was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The only problem is that it was not on the Pulpwood Queens approved reading list. But since Kathryn is a Jackson girl, and we are a Jackson based club, we decided to support her by reading her book. Oops, we got our hand slapped on that one! Of course, later, when the book was soaring off the charts, it was on the top of the reading list! Go figure...
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I did hear Kathryn Stockett speak at the Millsaps Arts & Lecture Series last year. I even had the good fortune to interview her for an article. We did the interview by phone, as she was laid over in the Atlanta airport, trying to get to Jackson. Poor thing was super stressed, because she wasn't sure she'd make it to Jackson in time for the speaking engagement. On top of that, she had the jitters about speaking to a live audience in Jackson--many of whom were most likely Junior Leaguers in the '60's, the era in which the book was set. I loved doing that interview, and writing that article (it ran on the now-defunct MS Digital Daily website). And I love all the hoopla that is surrounding the movie. I look forward to seeing it soon.
My reading of late has been all I can find on the creative nonfiction genre, most of it online. I've been writing and rewriting the manuscript I'll have reviewed in Memphis next month (again, read about it on the other blog). But I'd love to hear what you're reading. There's just nothing like a good story!
Blessings to all who read this!
Susan
