Only in Chicago

A 14-year-old boy walked into a police station dressed as a police officer. He then went to roll call, was assigned to a squad, went on patrol and was only busted – after five hours “on duty” -  in the station when someone noticed he wasn’t wearing a star on his uniform.

It’s not the first time he’s done this.

And you wonder why people don’t have faith in the police – when they can’t even detect a 14-year-old impostor for five hours!!!

It’s definitely the makings of a Disney movie.

Reading Challenge

Over at APOOO, they have initiated a first quarter reading challenge – 13 books in 13 weeks (Jan. 1-Mar. 31). Ordinarily, this would be nothing for me. But not now. And yet I still signed up.

Why?

Because I have a short story due in a couple of weeks to my publisher and I’m stalling. The writing fire has gone out. And reading usually lights my fire but good.

So even though I’m late to the challenge, I’m still up for it. Plus, I’ve got so many books on my TBR list (and it keeps growing) that I’ve got to get started.

I’m working on my list now, but I do know the authors that I will be reading, some new, some familiar: Bettye Griffin, Kimberla Lawson Roby, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Angela Benson and Tiffany Warren to start.

As eager as I am to read their works, I’m more excited about getting my own work going again. It’s a win-win situation.

I invite everyone to join in on this challenge. What will you read?

Stony the road we trod…

It’s not lost on me that yesterday, we celebrated the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and today we celebrate the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. There has been much discussed about the fulfilling of Dr. King’s dream, the election of the first African-American president, the ceremony and all the festivities. And there has been much coverage of all the celebrities and dignitaries that will be present. I know Oprah will be there, weeping on some stranger’s shoulder, Muhammad Ali will be there, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Beyonce, Denzel Washington and many, many more will be there.

But there will be other guests that will be there. They are the ones I will be watching for. When Barack stands and places his hand on the Lincoln Bible, he will be surrounded by his wife, daughters and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. But they won’t be the only ones standing there.

Martin and Coretta will be there. Malcolm will be there. JFK and RFK will be there. Medgar will be there. Cheney, Goodman and Schwerner will be there. Emmitt will be there. Rosa will be there. Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Nat Turner, Phyllis Wheatley will be there. Frederick Douglas will be there. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley will be there. They and many others will be there, standing sentry, standing guard, heads high, hearts full, spirits proud.

They will be there and as Barack takes the oath, I will join with them in saying, “Yes, we did.”

Geek-speak

I was sitting on the train yesterday, playing Bejeweled 2 on my iPhone, and I overheard these two men chatting about their work. It was clear that they were both involved in IT. (I originally wanted to call them computer geeks, but I realized that anyone who works in IT has to be incredibly smart and patient and they have my undying gratitude.) They were going on and on about some problem they were having. It was mildly annoying but interesting at the same time.  Though I didn’t understand a word of what they were talking about, I understood their mindset. They were very serious, almost passionate, about their work.

I thought about that on the way home. At first, I was amused that anyone could get so wrapped up in computer geek-speak. But then I realized that I’m the same way – when I’m with other writers.

Part of the appeal of writing conferences is the need to be around others who think like you do, people who understand what a WIP is, who know the perils and pitfalls of self-publishing and writer’s block. Because writing is such a solitary pursuit, trying to explain writing (and editing and publishing) to someone who doesn’t understand tends to be like those IT guys trying to explain what they were doing to someone who only knows how to turn the computer off and on.The average computer user just wants the computer to work when they turn it on, and for it to be fixed if it’s broken. They don’t want to know what the IT folks do to get it running and keep it running.

The average reader has no idea how much goes into producing a book – and I’m not talking about money, either. The average reader doesn’t care. They just want a story. They don’t want to know how the author labored over the words and images. They don’t want to know about disagreements with editors or lousy advances (if any). They really don’t want to know that the average writer has a “real” job to pay the bills because they would starve and be homeless if they depended on writing to make a living.

That’s why conferences are so needed. It’s the only place where writers aren’t average – they’re extraordinary. And we can writer-geek speak to our hearts’ content without anyone wondering what we’re talking about.

Feeling Fine in 2009

As each year dwindles down, I typically make my resolutions for the new year. By January 2, most of those resolutions have been broken.

This year is different.

I have not resolved anything.

I have, however, set some goals.

For my health, my goal is to start working on losing 20 pounds. To that end, I am watching what I eat and trying to lay off the Pepsi. I am also going to finally crack open that exercise DVD that I’ve had for over a year.

For my family, my goal is to spend at least 10 minutes a night reading to and with my son. I also vow to kiss my husband more frequently and randomly (excluding our hello/goodbye pecks). My other goal is not to take my family for granted.

For my writing, my goal is complete my WIP by May 15. I will complete my short story by January 31 and get it to my editor by February 1. And somewhere in there, I will promote the heck out of “Journey to Jordan” and participate in “The Write Stuff” program. I also plan to blog at least once a week and not get hung up on Facebook and Twitter.

For my spirit, my goal is to read Scriptures at least once a day and pray more often – concentrated prayers, not just grace and the one I rattle off before I fall asleep.

That’s about as many goals as I can handle. Now that I’ve actually written them down and put them out there, I have no choice but to honor them.

Anybody willing to hold me accountable?

Do You Have “The Write Stuff”?

I am thrilled to be a part of this upcoming reality program for writers. If you wish to be a part of the show, please see the press release below for more information:

When “The Write Stuff” literary reality show begins to air in select cities across the country in June 2009 on the CW Network, there will be candidates vying for something that has never been offered on television before: a one-book deal provided by Hollygrove Publishing (located in McKinney, TX) complete with a marketing plan designed especially for the winner by a New York Times Bestselling author and a two-year contract with a publicity team. In all, over $15,000 in prizes will be presented to the winner, equipping them with everything they need in order to make their written work a success. Over 14 weeks the contestants will be put to the test in challenges designed to highlight what it takes to make it in the publishing business, and one by one they will be eliminated until only the strongest is left standing, proving they have The Write Stuff. The judges will include some of the most influential names in the industry as well as those who are up-and-coming in the business. Throughout the entire process Chicago will be front and center, even involved in the audition process. Authors Kia Stokes, Bruce Williams, Jeff Rivera, Joseph Henderson, Chamein Canton and Monica Marie Jones will be traveling to the state for the historic event. Joining them will be Chicago’s own authors Tony Lindsay, Steve Mayfield, Jane Jordan, Michelle Larks and Donna Deloney.

Created by Mississippians Cyrus A. Webb (President of Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club) and Zane Bell (President of Innovations), the show is designed to encourage and promote literacy as well as give opportunities to those desiring to see their words in print. Airing as a paid program in several markets on the CW Network to over 15 million households beginning in June 2009, “The Write Stuff” will put those who believe they have what it takes to make it in the industry to the test. Explaining why Hollygrove Publishing wanted to participate in such a major way with this groundbreaking literary endeavor, President Brian W. Smith said this: “This writing business is extremely difficult to break into if you aren’t already a celebrity. A program like “The Write Stuff” is long overdue – it gives aspiring authors a chance to be discovered and it promotes literacy, all while entertaining the public…I jumped at a chance to be a part of this.”

Auditions in Chicago, IL will take place at the Comfort Inn Chicago (4005 Gabrielle Lane * Chicago/Aurora, IL 60504) from 10-6p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2009. There will be a meet and greet at the same location on Friday, January 23, 2009 from 6-8p.m. for those interested in finding out more information about the show, meeting the judges and just networking with others who share a love of words and the craft of writing. Fashion designer Terri Stevens from Bravo’s Project Runway will even be available for both events to talk about the life of an individual on a reality show, what those auditioning should keep in mind about being true to themselves and how it changed her life. Admission is free to the meet and greet as well as the auditions, however, interested individuals should visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com to be best prepared and find out what is expected. Similar auditions will be held in San Francisco(CA), Montgomery (AL), Memphis (TN), Metairie(LA) and Jackson(MS). Once the show begins to tape, 14 will have been chosen to compete for the grand prize.

For more information about The Write Stuff and to read feedback from those involved in this historic project, visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com. Interview requests should be directed to James Magee at 601.937.3245 or via email manof1524@yahoo.com. You may also contact Cyrus A. Webb via email at cawebb4@juno.com.