Sioux's Weird. But is She Wonky?

 I've been called weird all my life. When I was 13 I changed my name (much to the dismay of my parents) and thirty years later, made it legal. One year in high school, I wore moccasins every day. Even if it was raining, or snowing, I wore my mocs. And these were not moccasins that had a hard sole. All that was between me and the soggy, cold ground was a single layer of suede.

I also loved wearing overalls, and never wore any make-up until I went to a homecoming dance in high school.

I love sad movies and books that make me ache and sob.

Lots of people have called me weird. But am I wonky?

Well, I'm definitely doing something wonky. After getting my book, Greeenwood Gone: Henry's Story, published, I almost immediately envisioned it as a movie. Okay, that's showing how old and out of touch I am. Nowadays, things stream on Hulu and Netflix and HBO, so my dream of seeing my story told in a movie theater... well, that might not be the way it debuts. But I do see it as something larger than just a book. 

Soooo... I'm working on writing a screenplay version. And it's wonky. It's a strange format, and using a screenwriting program is quite helpful... but it was hard getting used to it.

 I wrote about my struggles recently. Check out my Tell, Don't Show post on The Muffin.

Shifting Thinking

 I'm old. I'm rooted in the "old school" ways. However, when something new happens to you, you have to get some new tools in your tool belt.

I recently was fortunate enough to get my book published. That is definitely something new. Before, I only had to contend with a long string of rejection emails--or no email at all. Now, I have to shift my thinking so I can promote my book.

This is one thing I did: I created some shirts. I wore it when I went to Tulsa recently, and the shirt did spark some conversations.

I'm busy speaking to bookstore owners and museum personnel, to hopefully set up some author events. This is also new.

And I'm taking a break from writing curriculum to write this post. My publisher (the brilliant Margo Dill) is working on getting sponsors who will buy classroom sets of my book for teachers, and I'm writing the curriculm materials that will accompany the sets. As a teacher, I'd want a variety of different activities to do with the book, along with comprehension questions (to make it easier, when adding a new book to the classroom's reading list).

How about you? What new things are you doing lately?

Garth Brooks' Hands

 I went to Tulsa last week for the 100-year commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I didn't sell any books--physically--but I think I "sold" a few through the conversations I had with people.

Before the trip, I was looking forward to seeing Alfre Woodard and Wes Studi--both former Tulsans and both actors--and was not thrilled with the prospect of seeing Garth Brooks--also a child of Tulsa. (All three were among the stars at a fundraising brunch.) Garth Brooks ended up stealing my heart. You can read my post about Brooks... and how I squeal even now, thinking about it.

                                        This was a mural on the wall of Greenwood building.

These are some things I learned:

• Don't discount the chance encounters. Even though I was not able to set up a table and sell my books, I met people... I met families, and I hope that some of them order my book, read it, learn from it, and review it.

• Taking a risk is worth it. After checking out of our hotel and heading home, my friend and I stopped at the Philbrook, a way-cool museum in Tulsa. The goal: to speak to the buyer for the gift shop so (hopefully) they would carry my book. My publisher (Margo Dill) had gone to the museum a couple of days before; she thought it would be the perfect place for Greenwood Gone: Henry's Story.

          Unfortunately, the buyer was in a (Zoom) meeting. I spoke to a few of the gift shop employees, 

          connected to one in particular, and asked him to give my card to the buyer. I started to leave... 

          then stopped and asked, "Would you give her a copy of the book?" He agreed, and gave it to her 

          right then. As she left the Zoom momentarily, she got intrigued (a book written from the 

          perspective of a 12-year old African American?). The employee returned, saying, "She said she 

          gets the shop's books from Ingram. She's loyal to them." I was happy to tell him that my book

          was available through that distributor--thanks to my publisher. 

           It ended up sounding promising. I'd be thrilled if there was a spot on one of their display tables

           for my book, so when people come to the museum, they might buy a copy and the word is 

           spread about the Tulsa Race Massacre. I almost left with just dropping off a card. But I took a                 risk and went a bit further... and I think it paid off.

•  Sometimes you reap the benefits later. Garth Brooks got a copy of my book. So did Alfre Woodard and Wes Studi and the director of the Greenwood Cultural Center. I got a wonderful   review in the St. Louis paper. Perhaps something exciting will come from one of these. I hope so...

How about you? What exciting things have you experienced or learned because of your writing?

   

My Future Trip to Tulsa Part 1

I'm still working on setting up book events when I go to Tulsa at the end of May. I'll be bringing boxes of my book... Hopefully the back of my car will be empty (or at least less loaded up) when I head back home. However, one thing has been set up.

I'm attending a brunch event and will be in the same room as some famous Tulsans.

One is Garth Brooks. I wasn't aware he was from Tulsa.

Another name is Wes Studi. The name didn't ring a bell, but as soon as I saw his face, I knew who he was.

His present-day face might not bring back memories of his work, but if I mentioned the character's name of  Magua, or if I said, "Do you remember the Native American who tried to convince a young woman (unsuccessfully) off the side of a cliff in the movie The Last of the Mohicans?" would you remember him then?

This is one of the most moving moments of the movie, in my opinion. The soundtrack--during this scene--includes a haunting fiddle piece (it's at the end of the clip). In fact, I bought the soundtrack for this single piece of music. Here is this memorable song:

Wes also played a memorable Pawnee in the movie Dances With Wolves. In the photo below, he's in the foreground, front and center. 

When I post next, I'll share the celebrity who will be at the brunch who made me squeal with uncontainable excitement. Hint: This person played one my favorite characters in the series St. Elsewhere.

How about you? What famous people have you had an encounter with? Giddy minds want to know...

Bittersweet... and Accountable

Life is bittersweet these days. I know, we still have to wear masks and social distance. There are still businesses and community resources (like libraries) that are closed (as far as what used to be their "normal"). People are still contracting Covid 19 and are getting seriously ill or dying. That's the bitter part.

However, after being on hold for a hour (when spread over several calls to pharmacy/store chains) and registering on countless web pages, and getting lost while navigating coronavirus navigation sites, I finally snagged a couple of appointments for the vaccine. It will involve a 3-hour trip (each way) but with a stack of music CDs and an old battered car I love, the trip will be a pleasure. That's one of the sweet things I've got going.

Also, I have a wonderful publisher who's working so hard for me. She's edited my book (which will debut in mid-April), in the middle of the night she's sending me emails with incredible ideas (which says something about how tireless she is, and it says something of the fall-asleep-on-the-couch-at-8-PM-and-wake-up-at-1-AM habit I've unfortunately developed, because I was getting them as soon as she sent them), and she's doing so many things to ensure my book has the best beginning. That's a super sweet part of my life.

                                                                         image by pixabay

Finally, I've written a post for WOW on being accountable as a writer. It speaks of how my wide and flat rear end gets kicked by a group of writers. If you're wondering how to jumpstart your writing productivity... if you're getting lazy about sending out queries... if you sometimes wish you had some experienced friends to help you with your writing/publishing--form a writing accountability group. In my post, I share some of my experiences with the Butt-Kickers.

How about you? What sweet things are you enjoying these days?