“The Other” (Us vs Them)
Take the Neo-Nazis Bowling
Today in my state capital, which is a largely African-American city, neo-nazis are apparently holding a rally in front of the state house. Reports say 100 such young men are scheduled to show up, wave banners and shout whatever they think is important. Another group of people, the New Black Panthers, are planning to counter-protest. …
Read MoreThe Forgiveness Cure
I’m in the midst of editing my new novel, OUR DAILY BREAD, which will be released in the US in September. It’s the story of what happens in a small town when, for generations, certain folks have been ostracized, pushed away and left to fend for themselves. Considered Those People—beyond the pale, beyond redemption—they become…
Read MoreFamiliarity breeds….
I’m in the process of editing my manuscript, OUR DAILY BREAD, which will be published in the fall. Now, I’ve read this manuscript probably thirty times. My Best Beloved, who is also my first reader, has probably read it five times. My agent has read it at least once. My editor has read it a…
Read MoreMore than enough shame to go around
Anyone who has read this blog even occasionally knows my feelings on the psychological dangers inherent in chasing the publishing carrot and the sort of relentless self-promotion writers (and many other artists) are expected to engage in these days. Sure, we all want readers and publishing can be lovely, but I don’t believe the way…
Read MoreWe are diminished by every broken heart
As many of you know, both my brothers died by suicide, and so, whenever I turn on the news and hear a report of another life being lost to despair and hopelessness, the little shard of ice in my chest which never quite melts, twists a little. This week, Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers…
Read MoreThe small voice of truth clears its throat
Imagine yourself walking down the street. You see a crowd harassing a man, pushing him, calling him vile names, bullying him… the man looks frightened. Perhaps he is trying to protect someone he’s with, perhaps his wife or child. The crowd, more of a mob now, past reason and spurred on by the force of…
Read MoreIs that a bull you're burning on your altar, or are you just trying to annoy your neighbors?
Madeleine L’Engle, author of, among other things, A Wrinkle in Time, called Biblical purists “Fundalits.” She was quite fond of the fundamentals of the Bible, but highly annoyed by people who took them literally. I agree. As someone who takes the Bible seriously, I simply can’t take it literally. Thankfully, I’m not alone. My mother-in-law,…
Read MoreWe don't do that here
Last week I was down in Trenton with an organization called People & Stories, a reading and discussion program that (according to their mission statement) “creates unique access to literature. Adults and young adults who have had limited opportunities to experience the power of literature work in small groups led by a trained coordinator. Participants…
Read MoreYou're wrong! I'm right!
I will not stand and fight all night. I will not shout, YOU’RE WRONG, I’M RIGHT! A few years ago, my Best Beloved and I had an argument. It was a real corker, a rip snorter. Tears were shed and doors were slammed and some very unhappy things were said. My Best Beloved had, some…
Read MoreSometimes you have to raise your voice…
A while ago someone said to me that she’s “had it with the whole gay thing.” The woman who said this is one of the nicest people I know, willing to go out of her way to help anyone, anytime, and even when we talk about things about which we disagree, she is ever gentle…
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