Everyone's a critic

Wow. This past weekend, I got the first two reviews of my book, "The Lyncher in Me." What a strange experience, to read what complete, unbiased critics think of one's work. I have to keep in mind that these reviewers read a ton of books, they don't have to write a full article on my book, and the fact that they chose to--and had so many complimentary things to say ("hauntingly beautiful", "riveting", "unflinching") is quite amazing. Even those few areas in which one writer was more critical were okay. It took me some time to be settled with it, but I understand it's one person's opinion, and one person might value what another person finds unnecessary. It's good. Really! And the great thing is, the review is all over the country, so I can't argue with that.

Back on the homefront: We're mired in a kitchen remodel, in limbo. Our carpenter was gone for a week on vacation, leaving us with a sink and a stove and not much else. I keep thinking back to an older "Amazing Race" episode in which the contestants were to put together a desk from Ikea. After a dozen cabinets, I could do it blindfolded, drunk on a shrimp boat during a hurricane.

Ode to Fashion

A Farah suit can be devine
When standing patiently in line

One hand fumbles with one's keys

The other drums the counter, he's

wishing he had a suit that was made
sometime this past decade

But green is now the new charcoal

and fabrics from plants is a worthy goal

petroluem should stay beneath the earth
mixed with memories of dinosaur girth

Flip the lapel, flash a peace sign

A Farah suit can be divine

Hot Off the Presses!

So I got the "official" copy of my book last night. Very cool--stunning actually. The photo of the rope in in a matte finish, backed by stark, glossy white. On the spine, the title "The Lyncher in Me" stands alone with the faint shadow of a noose underneath. Looking inside the book, it's funny and a bit embarassing to see the photo of myself and Virginia Huston seated together (in summer of 2006), then comparing it to the author photo on the back flap (taken a year later). It's like a voting off episode of The Biggest Loser. What a difference 25 pounds makes. I sure could have done without that weight in that 104 degree Missouri heat, that's for sure. It's all exciting and scary as hell. But I'm so proud of the way the book has turned out--the endorsement quotes really lend an air of authenticity (Rebecca Walker's quote is wisely placed on the front cover, verically running adjacent the spine).

Last night, I sat down with my eldest son and showed it to him and it was great watching him beam as he looked at it. The parent of a teenager looks for those moments when their child allows a bit of admiration to escape the stoic, "whatever" demeanor...

A Swirling Mass of Activity

Sounds more interesting than it really is. If I was in the midst of anything swirling, I'm not sure whether I'd swat at it or crouch to the ground, close my eyes, and wait for it all to be over.

This last week was that kind of storm. Two separate school activities (concerts), piano lessons, an evening meeting for each parent and school conferences. This was all between Tuesday and Thursday. Friday was a church teen overnight (with the teen sex ed program). Yes, it always sounds way more salacious than it is--the teen sex ed group is having a co-ed overnight! Is it like that final jumping out of the plane after hours of rolling on the grass, practicing pulling the ripcord and hoping that the parachute opens? No, but it is a great program. My favorite story? The one in which the teacher demonstrates use of a condom by rolling it over the hose attachement of a vacuum cleaner. I felt compelled to clarify to my son that he need not aspire to such garganutan proportions, lest be be sorely disappointed.

The weekend concluded with my partner and the kids at a dinner party while I volunteered for the local schools foundation wine auction. A great time and always a wonderful reminder of how lucky I am to work with a community that supports its public education so wholeheartedly.

I talked with my editor today and she was excited to tell me that the "official" copies of my book, "The Lyncher in Me", are being released today. I'll be getting them soon. The public must still wait until March 15th, but I'll have a few to show off before then. She says it's stunning, a combination of glossy and matte finish that really brings out the artwork nicely. Apparently, the book received a lot of attention at a recent trade show she attended. I can feel the storm kicking up again...

A Hazy Shade of Winter

I have to say that the death of Heath Ledger has really thrown me. Certainly it has a lot to do with the whole "Brokeback Mountain" connection; when you're moved not only by a film's characters that seem so real, seem to resonate so clearly, it's easy to be tricked into imagining that you know the person. Also, I know that there's a level of respect given to an actor willing to step up and portray a "risky" role, knowing the richness and honesty is what's most important. Judging from the outpouring from fans and colleagues, it seems that others felt the same. He'll truly be missed.

I had my first "review" of my book appear in a local newspaper the other day. It was wonderful to read kudos, to have a positive acknowledement of the hard work I put into it. At the same time, the article did include some inaccuracies, some benign, others a bit more important. There's not much to do about it now. For anyone who's read it: I teach 4th grade, not 3rd. There has been no definitive explanation for why the rape accusations were made by Irene Tusken and Jimmie Sullivan (only speculation) and, while my family was certainly messed up in a lot of ways, the one thing I know they did right for me was to instill a sense of tolerance of differences--I make that point unequivocally in the book. That being said, it was a flattering article that I hope will peak interest to read more. www.thelyncherinme.com is the place to do that...

Boys, What Have You Done?

It's the one line I remember from the movie, "A River Runs Through It." When the sons, played by Brad Pitt and Craig Scheffer, put the boat over the falls, the father (the wonderful Tom Skerritt) looks at them wearily and asks, "Boys, what have you done?" It's a thought that enters my mind often with my three sons (cue 50's sitcom music). Constantly active, fearless, exploring without foresight, my boys will be lucky if they reach adulthood without looking as if they've been pieced together, ala Frankenstein's monster, scars marking their faces and arms like the landscape of the Los Angeles freeway system. This week alone, my eldest, now 15, called his father to tell him that he'd "shot super glue into (his) eye." The details don't matter. He wasn't where he was supposed to be, not doing what he was supposed to be doing. Oh, and a helpful future tip? When opening a package that is liquid in nature: unless it's marked as "Visine", it's not a good idea to hold it close to your eye, squeezing at the same time you're prying open the top. My youngest, age 9, the next day, came home with a bruise on his face. He'd been playing with a friend on the playground and, according to him, "The sun was too bright (I don't remember sun yesterday) and I had my eyes closed." Continued to run, ran right into a pole. Just like my middle son did last year, running to catch a football, slicing open his brow where he has a scar to this day.

Health insurance is a good thing.

A Surreal Thing

Seeing my book on bookseller sites is something completely unreal to me. The whole process has been something unusual: working through revisions, having complete strangers read the intimate details of my life, hearing praise for the writing that over which I labored so much. And then, to see both the cover of my book, along with my name, for sale is both a dream and an unsettling...something (I know that "nightmare" is the opposite of "dream", but I wouldn't classify it as something so negative. Whatever is in between, I suppose). The next couple months will really be the test. I got a phone call from a reporter with our local paper and I imagine there will be more of the same. My publicist is working on the book tour, which will happen in early April and I know some reviews are around the corner. I think I'm prepared for it, but then who knows?

I've been able to touch base with a couple family members and friends from many years back who have gotten wind of the book. It's really been great, getting advance support and understanding from those who I feared might be put off by my stories. It's also been great to hear of their own memories--of my family, of me...of moments that I'd completly forgotten or had been unaware of. Life continues to surprise.