The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Sunday, January 19, 2014

"I Think It's My Best Writing."

         This past fall Marcia Gaye and I were at the same book signing. I got there first, and set up my Chicken Soup books and my Not Your Mother's books. Fortunately, I was in the room where a large table of appetizers was set up. A bathroom was there as well. I suggested to the writer next to me that we would demand people buy a book before they were allowed to eat or relieve themselves. During the rest of the evening, this person kept looking at me warily. I wondered why. Wasn't it reasonable to "charge" for food and restroom privileges? I thought it was...

     A publisher I know set up next to me, so we got to talk during the evening. Unfortunately, Marcia Gaye--a writing friend--came a little later, and the spots on either side of me were already filled, so we didn't get to sit next to each other and chat. At a slow point, I walked over and we talked. The book she was signing and selling was Times they Were A-Changing: Women Remember the 60's and 70's. The bright rainbow of colors on the cover immediately brought back a flood of memories.



        Oh, you don't know Marcia Gaye? Marcia writes prose and poetry, and whenever she enters a contest, she wins. In fact, there are some contests where she's won multiple prizes. There are even some writers who surrender and refuse to submit to a competition when they hear Marcia is a contender.

     So when I heard these words uttered from her mouth, my ears perked up. I asked her about her story in the anthology, and she said, "I think it's my best writing." This juggernaut of jewel-like poems? This unstoppable slayer of competitors? She was proudest of this story? I was drawn to the collection like a moth to a flame. Like a honeybee to clover. Like a menopausal woman to a box of Godiva. I had to read her tale. 

     I bought her book, had her sign it (but not to me), telling her, "I'm going to read it and then give it away on my blog," and while it was still slow, I went back to my table and read...read the beginning...continued reading...could not stop reading...was compelled to read the whole story.

     Marcia's "Two Sisters" story paints a perfect picture of that era. The rhythm of her writing, the images, the odors that come wafting back to the reader from the pages...it was like a long-gone lullaby.

       Here are the first two paragraphs:

         1964--Prayer
  
         Katherine and I gather on our big double bed after our brothers have been tucked into their own beds. The boys got stories from C. S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll. Now the two of us will read from the storybook that is all true. Straight backs and crossed legs, we settle into quiet attention. The Bible on her knees, Katherine reads aloud.

         We have been through creation and the flood. I've marveled at the perfect pronunciation Katherine gives to all the strange names. She shows me the divided kingdoms on the map as we travel alongside the kings. While she reads I twirl my fingers over the chenille and embroidery of the quilt. I trace the patterns of just the white flowers, and then just the pink ones.

       It is an ordinary story told in an extraordinary way, in that Marcia didn't witness the shooting at Kent State. She didn't hang out with Jimi Hendrix after he left the stage at Woodstock. She didn't ever do a duet with Janis Joplin (although Marcia does have the long flowing hair for it). It was a slice of Marcia's life told in an enthralling manner.

This is Marcia Gaye, so when you enter a writing contest and she jostles you
right out of the competition, you know who to trip...

        If you'd like to have this signed copy for your own, leave a comment. I'll draw names in a week...


23 comments:

  1. It sounds like a really cool book and I'd like to enter my name for your drawing! If I don't win, then I shall likely buy it.

    Yes, I *know* this Marcia Gaye person always wins, after she beat my ass in y'all's contest. I'm strictly third rate.

    What do you think of as YOUR finest piece of writing, Sioux? I did a challenge at Real Toads a while back and asked people to choose their own best work, or the one they felt proudest of, but the majority said they couldn't decide. I resisted the urge to call the Cop-Out Police.

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    1. Shay--Yeah, I've lost out to Marcia as well several times. (Sigh.)

      It's never too late to call the cop-out cops. People should make a decision--it might be the best right now--but decide.

      I would like to think that the novel I'm working on (78,000 words and counting) is my best writing. However, making sure that ALL the parts are the best they can be, and making sure it's a seamless piece--that's the challenge. One of many challenges...

      A year or so ago I wrote a short story on Bigfoot. I think it's among my best--I wrote it from the perspective of Bigfoot and what it's like to be always alone and always misunderstood--but it hasn't found an editor that likes it. We'll see...

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  2. Toss my name in please. I would like to read Marcia's work as I see her name on a lot of lists...win category. Speaking of which, I saw your name on the well versed list...twice! Good for you! I will want to read those! And yes, Marcia's appeared there too.

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    1. Claudia--I saw your name too, right? Congratulations. Perhaps we'll see you there if there's a reception? I think all 5 of the WWWP's are planning to make an appearance.

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  3. I love any books on women's history! Count me in, please.

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    1. Birdie--I love them as well. Thanks for dropping by, and I'll put your name in the hat.

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  4. I would love to read that book. The cover brought back a memory of my 8th grade language class, when Melinda, the girl in front of me, was reading The Joy of Sex disguised by a Peter Max book cover. Didn't fool Mrs. Clemons. The book and Melinda disappeared for the rest of the day.

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    1. Val--I wonder what Mrs. Clemons did what that "naughty" book?

      Hmmmm.

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  6. I know Marcia is the cream of the crop when it comes to writing. I waited too long to submit to that one. I would love to read this one. Please throw my name in the hat.

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    1. Linda--Marcia is the cream when it comes to St. Louis writers...along with you and several other writers we both know. I'll put your name in the "pile."

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  7. Thanks for making this available to your loyal fans. :) Please put my name in.

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    1. Lisa--You're welcome. It's just a tiny way of paying back for all the tidbits and writing notices that other writers (like you) share with THEIR loyal fans.

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  8. I say if Marcia ever enters a contest and doesn't win, it would be such a freakish event that we should all get together and give her a prize to celebrate. What do you say? Her story sounds beautiful, and that cover brought back memories for me, too. Please count me in.

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  9. I've never won a writing contest (but then again, I think I've only entered two). Lately, the muse has been absent, unless you count snarky blog posts (and even those are few and far between).

    Please enter my name in the pile for the book. Since I was a self-absorbed young teen in 1970, I didn't pay much attention to how anyone else was living - maybe this book is my chance to find out.

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  10. Kim--I LOVE your snarky posts. And you have entered one more contest than I have, and I didn't win, either.

    Your name will soon be written on a slip of paper and placed in the hat.

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  11. Count me in as I've heard/read Marcia's name in just about everything I've come across and had the privilege of being in a few anthologies with her! Whoo-hoo.

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  12. Me, too, Sioux! I've heard a lot about this anthology and would love to read it. You're right, Miss Marcia is one very talented writer.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  13. Pat--I'll write your name on a slip of paper and put it in the hat. Marcia IS a juggernaut when it comes to writing contests.

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  14. Sioux! You are something else! And I mean that in a good way. Thx for the generous comments, all of you. This particular book is special, as the concept and the editors and publisher were all great. It caused me dismay when I didn't "win" the prize, but after learning how many submissions there were, I am extremely honored to have made the cut. You see, the piece is actually cobbled together from excerpts from my as yet unfinished memoir. I'm so thrilled somebody likes it. Another thing about the book is that there are so many experiences and points of view represented.

    Memoir is my favorite stuff. But Sioux, are you really sure I didn't hang with Jimi, or sing with Janice? We all have our little secrets and when you hang with the movers and shakers you get sworn to keeping them to yourself.

    What some of you fail to mention is that those winner's list often have your own familiar names. Let me confide this: I had pretty much decided to quit entering contests so as to spend time on "real writing projects" this year. You've encouraged me otherwise. And I prod your behinds to join in the fray. If only to have someone say, "Haven't I seen your name somewhere...?"

    One of the most significant things I've learned in this wild ride we call 'Getting Published" is that it's a good thing to have a signing table near the food. It'll give you something to do while people pass by.

    And hey, one last thing. I repeat with Fire Blossom, "What is your best piece of writing?"

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    1. Marcia--

      I too am working harder on some "real" writing projects...meaning projects that are outside my box. Not memoir pieces. Not creative nonfiction but instead--fiction. Oh, I'm still going to write pieces and submit them to anthologies (because I'm working on a France fund) and keep my fingers crossed, but I'm making a serious push to finish a "longish" piece. Parts of this project are--I think--my best writing, but parts of it still suck.

      And now I'm going to go through some pictorial files to see if I can spot you in any Woodstock photos...

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