Making My Way Through History

What's your favorite baseball stadium?

2008-09-16T17:43:11Z

I'm doing some research on major league baseball stadiums and the cities in which they thrive.

What's your favorite major league stadium? What do you like about it? What is the view like, how are the hot dogs? What's its claim to fame that no other ballpark comes close to?

What else do you like to do in the neighborhood/area/city when visiting that ballpark?

Thanks baseball fans. I'll take as much information as you feel like giving.

Vinca, This one's for you.

2008-06-25T01:31:45Z

No comment necessary.

Friday Fun

2008-02-08T13:13:15Z

My business card finally pays off

2007-11-02T20:46:21Z

I have a business card that says I'm a children's writer. I attach it to all of my submissions to agents and editors. I never knew if it made a difference--until today.

Today I got the call. From Ronnie. Yes, THE Ronnie. Of Ronnie's bagel shop. My son put my business card in their, "put your business card here, maybe you'll win something" box. And I did. I can come in anytime for a free lunch.

I'm a winner! But I bet my son will argue he deserves the bagel.

Standing Up and sitting down

2007-10-02T18:49:00Z

I'm so glad I read the op ed page of the New York Times today over my bowl of minestrone. Reading Anita Hill's words were just as warm and comforting as the soup. Imagine someone in her position not heeding the popular position to "just let it go."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/opinion/02hill.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

On a totally unrelated topic--we will be sitting down to lunch this Saturday, Oct. 6th at 12:00 in NYC. I think there will be about ten of us writerly types, eager to talk, engage and linger for dessert. If you're still thinking of joining us, let me know so we can save you a seat.

Learning from Eleanor

2007-09-21T19:49:49Z

I tried a new book group today at the local school. The book they had chosen was NO ORDINARY TIME. FRANKLIN AND ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: THE HOME FRONT IN WORLD WAR II by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I've read a lot about the Roosevelts, especially Eleanor, but I had never read this book. At over 600 pages, I thought it was a brave choice for a book group. I was curious what the discussion would be like. I took the challenge of reading the book (finishing just last night) and trying something new.

It was a lively group of 15 or so women. Almost everyone said they would never have picked up this book themselves and everyone who read it (almost everyone there) said they had really enjoyed it. It is interesting to think about how we choose what we read as adults. I'm sure I limit myself far too much without giving it enough consideration.

I've always thought Eleanor to be extraordinary and this book gave me even more details to admire. There is something in me that wants to emulate that woman who pushed through a natural inclination of shyness to be the person she wanted to be. "The thing always to remember is that you must do the thing you think you cannot do." How often does one really live like that? She did, and it is remarkable to read about on so many levels.

Some more from Eleanor:

"I realized that if I remained in the White House all the time I would lose touch with the rest of the world. I might have had a less crowded life, but I would begin to think that my life in Washington was representative of the rest of the country and that is a dangerous point of view."
I think this is part of the reason I like to travel so much. You need to see that other point of view to expand your own. And you need to step out of your own environment to appreciate what nourishes you at home.

Regarding her children whose careers had been unsteady and whose private lives more shaky (the four boys had 18 marriages). "I don't seem able to shake the feeling of responsibility...I guess I was a pretty unwise teacher as to how to go about living. Too late to do anything now, however, and I'm rather disgusted with myself." Imagine that in her 30s ER felt she couldn't teach her child anything about a life well lived. That's incredible to me. And something to remember when I sit here thinking of what a failure I must seem to my children.

"If only Mother could have learned to ease up," her son Elliot wrote, "things would have been a lot different w/ father, for he needed relaxation more than anything in the world. But she simply could not bring herself to unwind..."
Goodwin wrote, "She became the agitator while he became the politican." We talked about this today a lot. Most people thought ER needed to lighten up a little. I thought FDR needed to be more like Eleanor. She wanted him to loosen the immigration rules and allow more Jews into the United States. She wanted him to dismantle the Japanese internment camps. No wonder she couldn't relax.

Several people thought any criticism of FDR too harsh. He did a lot. He did more than most. Yes, but what if he had done what Eleanor wanted to do? What if she had been in the position where she could have done it herself?

Madeleine L'Engle and I think alike

2007-09-07T13:59:17Z

***Most of you already heard that Madeleine L'Engle died last night. I've been going back and forth but I think I'll just leave the post up as is. Here's to a long writer's life well lived.***

Who knew? Well, apparently olugbemisola. I owe you. Big.(I'm thinking about the perfect something).

Yes, I've been reading A CIRCLE OF QUIET by Madeleine L'Engle. How did she understand my thoughts so well back in 1972?

Some examples:

"Every so often I need OUT; something will throw me into total disproportion, and I have to get away from everybody--away from all these people I love most in the world--in order to regain a sense of proportion."
Me too, me too. I go on a walk. Or hide in the bathroom.

"When we are self-conscious, we cannot be wholly aware: we must throw ourselves out first. This throwing ourselves away is the act of creativity. So, when we wholly concentrate, like a child in play, or an artist at work, then we share in the act of creating. We not only escape time, we also escape our self-conscious selves."
Yes, Maddie, yes. That is what I like most about writing. You can enter a "zone" of creativity that takes you beyond yourself and all issues of self-consciousness. I call that a good writing day.

"During the 10 years when practically nothing I wrote was published, I was as much writer qua writer as I am now; it may happen that there will come a time when I can't find anyone to publish my work. If this happens it will matter. It will hurt. But I did learn, on that fortieth birthday, that success is not my motivation."
Ten years. I feel your pain. The writing has nothing to do with the publishing business. The writing is for the act of creativity discussed above. But success is necessary to validate that one should spend time on this act of creativity. Otherwise it seems simply self-indulgent. And the bills start piling up.

"If I am in the slough of despond, if I am in a rage, if I am, as so often, out of proportion and perspective, then, once I have dumped it all in the journal, I am able to move from subjectivity to at least an approach to objectivity."
Yes, I'm a dumper too. I'm afraid that is why my blog is so boring and inferior to so many others that are well written and well thought.

"A journal is also a place in which joy gets recorded, because joy is too bright a flame in me not to burn if it doesn't get expressed in words."
Beautiful. And, I agree. My first instinct, first desire, is to write about something. It adds to my joy. I'll try to remember that if I continue to slog through this blog. And my other writing as well. Yes, I'd like to do some of that too.

Thanks, Madeleine. I'm glad we could get to know each other all these many years later. I'm still working on forgiving you for those childhood nightmares.(I know. I tend to hold a grudge). I bet A WRINKLE IN TIME was never returned to the Brooklyn Public Library that quickly.

I hope you're still writing. I believe you must be 88 or 89 years old. You're one smart cookie.

Cow Socks with song

2007-08-29T23:54:34Z

Cow Socks with song for lurban's contest to celebrate her new book A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT. (check out her LJ for more)

I haven't read it yet but I hear there is a musical thread. So I thought I'd include a musical homage to my cow socks.

NYC Writers Lunch, Talk, and Celebration

2007-08-28T22:01:35Z

We are having a lunch to celebrate Danette's awesomely wonderful two-book deal. Danette didn't want me to make it about her, so it's also a general writerly get together. But it's really for Danette :)(I don't think she reads my blog)!

Date: Saturday, Oct. 6th Time: 12:00 Place: to be determined. Will be conveniently located near subway and parking garage.

I hope you guys can try to plan ahead and make it to this one. It would be great to all have fun together and celebrate a super nice writer's super accomplishment.

Reading LJ writers recommended

2007-08-15T23:43:54Z

I realized I have never fessed up that I have been reading my friends list in more ways than one. That's right, I've actually been reading their books. A diverse lot, to be sure, with varied voices and each interesting in their own way.

You'll remember, of course, how much I enjoyed carriejones TIPS and coebooth TYRELL. But now, I've explored even further and enjoyed myself tremendously. aimee_ferris GIRL OVERBOARD, katibgirl IN THE NAME OF GOD, micolz EMILY GOLDBERG LEARNS TO SALSA, lgburns TALKING TRASH, kathyerskine QUAKING, mph33 LEMONADE MOUTH. Lots of interesting reads here. Oh, and cynthialord RULES for those of you who don't read a book until everyone else has already read it.

So now you understand why I have nothing to read on the airplane.

And on a writers high note--if you haven't been on Verla's today, hustle on over to hear about that rarest of gems--a first time writer taken from the slush and given a two-book deal. Danette, who is not only a very nice person but a native New Yorker to boot, accomplished her dream without spending tons of money on conferences or even connecting with an agent. It was pure dedication and perserverence. What a story! See you guys--Nonfiction RULES!

Ain't nobody here but us chickens

2007-08-03T14:55:18Z

For those of us NOT going to the LA SCBWI conference this weekend.

Us chickens should have some fun, too!

summer cookin'

2007-06-22T16:32:25Z

One of my goals for the next few weeks the kids are in camp is to improve and increase my cooking repertoire. Focusing on dinner, of course, that being the real bug a boo of my daily existence.

Anyone have any delightfully simple yet delish dinner recipes they'd like to share? Any ethnic menu is fine as long as it's not spicy (I have a very delicate palette, don't you know).

I've recently started making Korean bulgogi and it has quickly become a family favorite. Very simple--thin slices of meat that you marinate and then cook in a matter of minutes on a grill or hot plate kind of thing. (A George Foreman grill works great). You put the meat and some rice in a lettuce leaf, wrap, and eat. Yum. I got the marinate recipe off of the internet--quick and easy. I'll post if anyone is interested.

Got anything cooking?

Wow! This focus thing works!

2007-06-19T19:19:57Z

I already finished the rought draft.

Time for a break!

focus

2007-06-18T00:23:33Z

I'm going to try to outsmart myself this week to reach my self imposed deadline of completing rough draft of WIP before school's out, i.e., this Thursday at 12:45.

To that end, I'm swearing off reading LJ, Verla's, and general internet browsing until said time. I know, I know. But I think I can do it for a short period of time. If I do, I think I can get the writing done.

I want to focus only on writing. But there is no way I can read and reread my current piece of schlock over and over without going crazy. I'm going to work on it, but I'm going to need some kind of break and motivation. I often find the things I need to work on when I read other people's stuff. "Oh, way too many commas." I do that too. Or "great flow between chapters." I need to make sure I do that every time.

To that end, if anyone has anything they would like someone to read, I'd be willing. I would focus on a few things to do that might improve the overall manuscript since that is what I'm trying to do now. I think this would be a good use of my time this week and maybe it would help someone else out too. Don't worry, you don't have to read my stinky thing.

If anyone has anything they want me to look at, or wants to tell me their good news or needs some sympathy for their bad this week please contact me at my gmail address which is linsalz at gmail dot com

See you at the other end of the week. Hope it's a productive writing week all around.

BEA for a DAY?

2007-05-23T14:45:33Z

Has anyone ever gone to BEA, not as an author but just as an attendee? Is there any reason to go if you are not promoting something? I've looked at the website and I'm still unsure exactly what you do there.

It would be very easy for me to go for a day, especially Friday during school hours. And that Friday also happens to be my birthday. So I was wondering if it would be a fun writerly pick me up or a feeling out of place waste of time?

I have a little crush

2007-05-15T00:52:55Z

His name is Tyrell. I'm old enough to be his mother. Oh, and he's a fictional character. But when I think of him I get all smiley and mushy on the inside.

I just have a thing for this guy. Having grown up in Brooklyn, this Bronx boy feels familiar, like my childhood.I knew kids like him. Smart, thinking, charming who seemed to have it so much rougher than so many much less interesting twits, uh, fellow classmates. I was alway drawn to kids like this. I wished I had half of what they did to get by.

I read this book slowly over several evenings. I knew Tyrell was not destined for an easy happily ever after but I wanted to be there, hoping he'd make it through as best he could. One morning I woke up wondering if Tyrell would be OK today. I really thought he was out there, struggling to get out of that roach infested shelter.

My daughter had a totally miserable day at school today. Too many things went wrong for one kid to handle. I found myself wondering how Tyrell could handle so much. I believe he could and he did. I tried hard to find the inner strength not to cry along with my kid but to offer some useful, empowering advice. I just wish I knew exactly how to help. Real life is so tough sometimes.Especially for teenagers. How great when a book really captures that.

Coe Booth, everything about your book is a'ight. Thanks.

Tips on Buying and Reading "Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend"

2007-05-06T17:46:49Z

1. Decide you deserve to splurge and buy yourself a book. It's been a long, bad week--husband has pneumonia, you had to EVERYTHING around the house, then you had to go to the dreaded dentist because you had a toothache. Go buy the darn book. You'll feel better.
2. Take camera to independant bookstore so you can show Carrie how nice her book is displayed. Search high and low and can't believe they don't have Carrie's book. No book, no cute photos. Sob.
3. Refuse to believe the universe is telling you something and high tail it over to B&N.
4. Find Carrie's book facing out! Don't have to do a thing but take a copy slowly so everyone around sees you choosing that book and head to the check out line. Whip out my 10% discount card to make up for the gas from driving all over the place looking for the book.
5. Have no time to read because you're madly cleaning house for son's birthday party.(why bother to clean when 10 5th grade boys are coming over? No clue).
6. Get into a long drawn out on line "discussion" of why so many people think YA books about suicide, vandalism, severe depression, and other fun topics are the absolute must reads for any kid 12 and over. Wish I had a good book to read.
7. Snuggle into bed with book. Joined by other family members who are reading and occasionally chatting.
8. Tell everyone they have to get out because they are making too much noise and you are at a really good part.
9. Finish book happy, happy, happy. Ah, what a good read. That Carrie is a good writer with some darn important things to say.
10. Hand book immediately upon completion to daughter saying, "you've got to read this."
11. Check on daughter one hour ten minutes later. She's still reading, almost done (darn speed reader). She looks up and smiles. "It's really, really good" she says.
12. Decide not to be mad at Carrie for going to the SCBWI conference the one and only weekend I will be in the state of Maine.
13. Consider asking Carrie to pull over on the highway so I can toss her a copy of her really, really excellent book and she can sign it for me. Just a thought.

Rostropovich plays the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1

2007-04-27T19:34:52Z

My daughter is a cellist, so we were especially saddened to hear of the passing of Mstislav Rostropovich, perhaps the premier cellist of his time. Within the cello world, his reputation surpasses the more popularly known Mr. Ma.

This isn't the best way to listen but the depth of his sound can really send chills up your spine. Just extraordinarily beautiful.

Edited to add: click on the picture again after the warning and it plays it on You Tube.

Sharing Cupcakes

2007-04-26T14:32:18Z

No cupcakes here this Saturday so I thought I'd share some with you.

Enjoy.

April 28th meeting will go bust without you

2007-04-23T17:13:37Z

The response rate for the April 28th Writers lunch, book talk, and cupcakes has been low. Very low. Lots of interest but very little "I'm going to be there."

If I don't get a couple of more people saying they will show up, I think we will just cancel this one.

I'll wait to hear if the cupcake lovers make a come back and win out in the end.

For Vinca et al.

2007-04-19T18:09:09Z

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall--think of it, ALWAYS."

Mahatma Gandi

When childhoods collide

2007-04-18T13:54:16Z

The other day I discovered Netflix had episodes of Magilla Gorilla. Yesterday my kids watched it, listened to the theme song, and said "this is pretty stupid" just as I had done so many times, oh so many years ago. They did admit the theme song was catchy. Still, they wish I would stop singing it.

Next week: Lost in Space. Danger, Will Robinson. Danger!

Plan for April 28th

2007-04-11T14:50:44Z

We will meet at the Rubin Museum of Art at 11:30. We can have a nice lunch in their modern cafe. Admission is "free" to the book talk with $10.00 museum admission. The Rubin Museum (www.rmanyc.org) is at 150 W. 17th St. off of 7th ave. That's just one short block from the 18th street station of the Number 1 line.There are also several parking lots on nearby blocks.

After the talk (which is scheduled from 1:00-2:00) we can walk over to Books of Wonder, browse, and enjoy our cupiecakes.

I will not be making any reservations. The cafe is fairly large and I think we should be fine.

If anyone is interested, please let me know sometime before the 28th.

edited to add: And I finished "The Book Thief" so now I feel prepared!

History Haul

2007-04-04T19:21:28Z

The local elementary school hosts a book fair once a year. They ask for donations all year long and then have a sale for several days in April. I believe the proceeds go toward college scholarships given out at the high school but they are continue to be vague about how much money they make and who actually benefits. Nevertheless, I have donated my fair share of books, after many futile attempts to make a connection with a needy school.

Because people donate these books, in a clear out the old kind of mentality, I'm always curious to see what people don't want to read anymore.

There were a surprising number of well-known kids authors who have books kids don't seem desperate to hold on to. There were plenty of Judy Blume, Madeline L'Engle, and hardcover Mark Twains. There were books I loved that I wanted to buy just so they didn't seem unwanted--Who would give away "The Watson's Go to Birmingham" or "Hatchet"? I picked up a copy of Theodore Taylor's "The Cay" and Jerry Spinelli's "Loser", for 10 cents each.

A lot of people also seem to have had their fill of some of my favorite history books. Need a copy of David McCullough's "Truman"? There must have been ten of them (I already own one). There were lots of books on military history, WW II, and Hitler, which, OK, I could see where one read through might be enough.

So any gems, you ask? Well, yes, for me there were quite a few. I bought two different books by Edmund Morris on Theodore Roosevelt (I just finished my Roosevelt manuscript in December). Yes, I probably won't be looking at these tomes again anytime soon but, for $1.00, if I do need to check a reference, I just saved myself some gas money to drive to the library. I found a two volume "The Historian's History of the United States" edited by one of my college history professors: $1.50. Also, "Undaunted Courage" which I haven't read, "Eleanor Roosevelt: The Later Years" (I love her) and Rats by Robert Sullivan (on some blog I read an editor was looking for children's NF in this vain. I think they did make a children's version so maybe I can find that too.)

My best find **drumroll please** The Roosevelt Family of Sagamore Hill. Yes,you're right, my favorite reference about the Roosevelt Family! I must have taken this book out of the library ten times and didn't want to return it. What, never heard of it? But it was a Book of the Month Club selection in 1954. What's happened to your memory?

I was literally jumping up and down over this one. Yep, history nerd.

I didn't find anything on the subject of my current WIP. You know, a book I might actually read now rather than just admire that I own. But that's OK. I couldn't carry anything more. And I know Teddy would be proud.

Yep, already one more update re: April 28th writers meeting

2007-04-03T18:02:48Z

Sorry to post about this one again but I've got to resolve a couple of things.

1-Can those who think they'd like to come make it to Books of Wonder by 11:30?

2- Is there interest in attending a reading hosted by PEN American Center entitled "Finding Peace"? This will be from 1-2, and will include authors Isabel Hoving, Rita Willams-Garcia, and Markus Zusak "sharing their stories of rising above strife and embracing one's true self." It seems this reading will be about a three block walk from the bookstore.

Too much for one day? Just stick with lunch, bookstore, cupiecakes?

Any feedback welcome.