The National Federation of Press Women held its 2009 conference in San Antonio, Texas, September 10-12. Desspite a few difficulties (see "Never too Late!"), I enjoyed many aspects of the trip. What inspired me to resurrect this blog, at least for a while, was the fact that I received two national writing awards, and the First Place award was for two posts to this blog: "In Defense of Self-Publishing, Parts I and II" (August 12,16 2008). You may read them below in the archives.
The judge commented, "Writer provides clear advice without preaching or ego. Offers something for every level of self-publisher, from the wannabe to those looking for new options."
Since the idea of self-publishing is scoffed at by many professional writers, I was elated to win first place and such a positive comment.
My little book of poetry, Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters, won second place. Of my three books, this is the least-read, yet everyone who has read it has praised it. Doesn't anyone read poetry any more?
Anyway, I liked the judge's comment: "I really enjoyed the use of the rictameter. Its use to describe the different parts of a life was really unique. A very good piece of work!"
If anyone is interested, Elder Expectations costs about $10 and can be ordered from Amazon.com.
To the few followers of this blog:
Because of its low readership, I have decided to semi-retire this blog in favor of my other, more popular one, "Never too Late!" I'll still come back when I'm inspired to write a rictameter or two, but don't expect much new content.
You can find my writing assignments and other material on writing here in the archives, and the site will remain live, at least in the near future. Your comments are still welcome.
You can also find my thoughts on writing in my eGenerations columns, now approximately monthly, at http://egenerations.com/write-articles
Meanwhile, if you want to know what I'm up to, read "Never too Late!" at http://www.seniorwriter.blogspot.com/.
One of the saddest things about my move was seeing my former cat Lyon's favorite toys suddenly revealed when a living room cabinet was moved. There they were: a light blue catnip mouse and a red-and-yellow hedgehog. The latter was a funny-looking toy, but I still remember marveling at the soon-gone identifying label. Without the tag, I wouldn't have had any idea what it was. Both toys still bore traces of cat hair mixed with dust.
Chasing those toys, and others, across the floor, where they eventually disappeared beneath the furniture, was Lyon's favorite pastime until he got too old for such frivolity. I always tried to retrieve the toys, but obviously those two got away from me a few years ago. Suddenly I remembered those years of watching Lyon and the cats that came before him at play, and I was sad. As I approach what will probably be my final move, nostalgia reigns.
When I first contemplated this move, back in 2004 or so, I made a point of asking if pets would be allowed at The Clare. I wouldn't have signed up if the answer had been "no." But little more than a year later, Lyon succumbed to complications of his diabetes. Will he be replaced? I don't know, but seeing his old toys reminded me of pleasant years.
In the traumatic process os moving, it is, indeed, the small things that are memorable.
I'm finally moving into The Clare at Water Tower, after many problems and much angst. Check my other blog, "Never too late!" for part of the story and two pictures.
There probably won't be new posts here for a while, but later I hope to write about my efforts to get my fellow residents writing.
I've often written about the importance of writing to heal: from keeping a pen and paper near the sick bed to writing down your concerns and complaints for your caregivers. My recent hospitalization and nursing home stay (a total of nearly six weeks) should have provided an excellent opportunity for me to practice what I've preached.
It didn't quite work out that way. For one thing, I did not have easy computer access. I did, however, have a pen and a notebook. So why didn't I write much? Yes, I had a roommate and nearly continuous TV. However, there are other reasons, too. For me, writing is a reality of my life, and I seemed eager to escape from reality. I drifted into the routine of the institution, not thinking much about my "real" life. Writing was something I planned to do after I got home.
Did I write anything while I was in the nursing home? Yes, I wrote down a few notes for future writing, and then I wrote three rictameters. For me, an experienced user of this odd poetic form, this was tha perfect way to express myself. My three rictameters were "Kindness," "Patience," and "Painful." All three appear in my two blogs, this one and "Never too Late!"
So what is the message here? Poetry can be brief, direct, and meaningful (see "A Good Review Brings Cheer," below). When illness or injury makes one reluctant to write, a short poem can express a lot. As I look back, I notice that my three rehab rictameters tell the story of my experience better than more extensive writing might have.
If the thought of writing at length, especially in difficult times, is depressing, try writing simple poems: rhymed, unrhymed, free verse, or whatever. I found my magic in the rictameter, but there are many other possibilities. The idea of most poetry is to say a lot in a few words, and that's what I did. I seem to have redefined my understanding of writing to heal.
Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne
My new computer, a Hewlett Packard Pavillion Elite, was installed on Sunday. It has more features than I'm likely to need, but learning to use it is time-consuming fun. I wasn't eager to buy a new computer in these uncertain times, with knee surgery and a move coming up, but when my old computer died a rather timely death (it was old), I decided that I couldn't live without one. Yes, I have a laptop, but it's not very easy to use. I've owned various desktop computers since the 1980's, and they have been important parts of my life.
One of my few regular readers asked what's next? Well, as usual, I'm happy to have finished my alphabetical series of rictameters as planned, so I'll probably go on to other things.
Have you noticed how easy it is to ignore unpleasant or tedious tasks to do something you love? That's the story of my life. Now I have to get back to reality: getting my condo ready for sale, attacking the closet clutter, filing my "important" papers that form an untidy pile in my study.
My other blog, "Never too Late!" needs work too. Time to finish a couple of book reviews. Time to enjoy the summer weather.
I'm sure I'll keep writing something nearly every day. Try it. As usual, I urge everyone to write. If I have any readers who don't, now is a good time to start. How about buying and reviewing my books? And think about self-publishing your own. It's a great feeling to look at a book with your name on it, no matter whether it sells or not. It's all about self-expression and enjoyment.
If you live in or near Chicago and are making plans for the weekend, think about attending the Printers Row Book Fair. I'll be there at the IWPA tent on Dearborn near Polk (booth BB). This will be my third year at the fair, and it's fun.
This is your chance to see and hear some famous authors, as well as to talk to us unknowns. I'll be featuring all three of my books, Reinventing Myself, Seniorwriting, and Elder Expectations.
Of course there are a lot of books to buy, including mine, but entrance to the fair is free, the crowds are friendly, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
For more information: http://www.chicagotribune.com/about/custom/events/printersrow/
Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters (Lulu, 2008), which got its start right here on this blog, is now available from the publisher. It's a little book, just 56 pages, and it sells for $9.95.
I've had a lot of fun writing my rictameters; if you haven't tried writing poetry yet, why not? Anyway, this is a quick read. I'd appreciate any reviews anyone cares to write.
This book won't appear on Amazon.com or other web sites for some time (it will show up eventually), but for now, it's available from Lulu. There's a link in the sidebar to the left.
Update 6/18/08:
Elder Expectations is now available at Amazon.com as well.
Yesterday I attended the Illinois Woman's Press Association's annual awards luncheon at the Union League Club in Chicago. Again I was pleased to receive two first-place awards, this time for my second book, Seniorwriting: A Guide for Seniors Who Want to Write and for one of my eGenerations columns, "Sharing your Experiences, Memories, and Stories."
I also received a second place award and an honorable mention, respectively, for two of my "Never too Late!" blog posts: a book review, "Retirement Planning: Looking Beyond the Money" and my post, "On Laundry and 'Going Green.'"
Here are the judges' comments on the first-place winners:
On Seniorwriting: "A very fine step by step guide for any senior who has a story to tell and who wants to write it down. Practical, interesting, engaging."
On "Sharing you Experiences, Memories, and Stories": "This is a terrific guide to self-publishing that sets out to answer the question 'What should I do with my writing? How can I preserve and share it?' In a crisply organized, smoothly written column, Styne takes her readers on a quick tour of publishing options ranging from blogging and participating in online communities, to personal printing and distribution of written pieces, to Web sites that manufacture books on order and a company that makes an audio kit for recording one's life story. Filled with good advice, this highly readable column offers writers a variety of ways to publish their writing."
The judges had good things to say about my other winners, too. About the book review, they said, "This review of the book "Your Retirement, Your Way," by Alan Bernstein and John Trauth (McGraw-Hill, 2007) raises a number of important issues that should be considered by people planning to reitre. It's not only about whether one has saved enough money, says Styne, noting the book's subtitle: 'Why it takes more than money to live your dream.' Savings and financial issues aside, Styne reflects on chapters about the importance of setting new life goals and planning the next phase of one's life, 'Preparing Psychologically for Change,' and 'Determining How You Want to be Remembered.' The soon-to-be-retired reader will find a number of helpful ideas on how to make the transition smoother and more rewarding."
On the blog post "On Laundry and 'Going Green'": "Mulling the inconveniences of being green, the author considers the suggestion to hang laundry outside to dry in order to save the energy used by clothes driers. In her humorous, unsentimental voice, this Chicago retiree draws a line in the sand. 'Those who grew up on farms (as I did) or in small towns,' she says, 'often remember sweet-smelling, right-off-the-clothesline garments fondly, but not me. To me, hanging clothes out on the line was a chore, just another of my mother's tedious responsibilities.'"
Thank you, judges, for your kind comments. Now the first-place winners go on to the National Federation of Press Women's national contest. I doubt that I'll win at that level (I did win one first there for my blog, "Never too Late!" last year and a third for my book Reinventing Myself).
These may strike some among you as minor awards, but to me they represent welcome recognition of my writing in 2007. I've never expected to become a famous, best-selling author, but I delight in these small triumphs. They support my basic belief that seniors should follow their passions, whatever they are. Mine is writing.
To read my winning entries:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Marlys%20Marshall%20Styne
http://egenerations.com/article-201-6-sharing-your-experiences-memories-and-stories
http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2007/12/retirement-planning-looking-beyond.html
http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-laundry-and-going-green.html
Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne
Photo by Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas: Seniorwriter at the luncheon, with fellow Chicago Cultural Center volunteer Joyce Dunn (left).
Every time I take a trip, and I've taken many of them, someone asks me to report on it or write about it. I've never been sure how to respond. I plan to study the art of travel writing more sometime, but as of now, I don't do much of it.
Travel writers seem to lead interesting lives: they sometimes enjoy free trips in exchange for articles designed to encourage others to visit certain places. That's fine, but for me, travel is about experiencing and enjoying--and as I grow older, sometimes about enduring physical hardship.
I have enjoyed many travel books and articles, especially those with fabulous photos of exotic places. However, I have never aspired to write such a book or article. My only real travel writing experience involved my husband's and my motorcycle journey in the former Soviet Union in 1990. I wrote about it for a Wright College publication, and I reprinted it in my first book, Reinventing Myself. At the time, motorcycle touring in Russia was unusual, and I kept good notes during the trip.
Today, when it seems that almost everyone travels everywhere, I have come to realize that there's little I can add to the fine travel writing that appears regularly. I have resolved to blog a bit about my trips in an impressionistic way. For my recent South Africa trip, for example, I have already posted a few pictures of the impressive animals in their natural habitat. Soon, I intend to write a bit about South Africa as a country today, and then I'll discuss the problems of elder travel. I'll share a few more photographs as well.
If any of this interests you, see my other blog, "Never too Late!" (There are various links here.) Meanwhile, what are your thoughts on travel and travel writing?
Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne
Photo by the author
Hello again. I returned from my trip to South Africa (and Swaziland) late yesterday, and I need a recovery period. One of the things I'm thinking about is how and what to write about my trip, which was wonderful but physically taxing.
As a preview, one of my favorite features of the trip was an open-vehicle safari through Kruger National Park (followed by another on a tour bus, but it wasn't quite the same). I was actually able to see all of Africa's "Big Five" animals: Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Cape Buffalo, and Rhinoceros. Of course you can see all or most of the above in any zoo, but somehow it isn't quite the same. In Kruger, the animals have all the rights and the right of way. It's as close as I'll ever get to their natural habitat.
Since I use an instant digital camera, I'm not confident of having good photos of all of the big five, but you'll see a few photos here anyway, as soon as I can sort them out.
Check out my other blog, "Never too Late!" in a few days. I'll have a lot to say there about the difficulties of travel for elders who aren't very agile. Still, I'm glad I went!
There won't be any posts here for a while. I'm traveling to South Africa for nearly three weeks. While I'd like to send regular reports of my trip, alas, it's just too much trouble for me to carry a laptop computer and figure out the connection problems.
I plan to keep an old-fashioned pen-and-notebook journal, so I'll share the trip--with photos, I hope--after I get back in May. Meanwhile, keep writing!
Here's another of those little challenges that's been passing around in the blogosphere. I credit The Joy of Six (http://joyofsix.typepad.com/) for it, but from there the links go backward. I'm not sure who originated it, but here it is. You have to write your own answers. Please note: I've changed it from one word to one word or phrase. Do it either way.
You're Feeling: Worried.
To Your Left: TurboTax installation disk.
On Your Mind: See above.
Last Meal Included: South Beach four cheese pizza.
You Sometimes Find it Hard To: Get started.
The Weather: Beautiful.
Something You Have a Collection of: Small Travel souvenirs.
A Smell that Cheers You Up: Chocolate.
A Smell that Can Ruin Your Mood: Smoke.
How Long Since You Last Shaved: N/A.
The Current State of Your Hair: Limp.
The Largest Item On Your Desk/Workspace Right Now (besides computer): CD Rack.
Your Skill with Chopsticks: None.
Which Section You Head to First In the Bookstore: New.
After That?: Chicago Authors.
Something You're Craving: Chocolate.
Your General Thoughts On the Presidential Race: Depressing.
How Many Times You've Been Hospitalized this Year: None.
A Favorite Place to Go for Quiet Time: My recliner.
You've Always Secretly Thought You'd Be a Good: Newspaper columnist.
Something that Freaks You Out a Little: Crowds.
Something You've Eaten Too Much of Lately: Chocolate.
You Have Never: Driven a SUV.
Never Want To: Lose my mind.
My blog is worth $8,468.10.
How much is your blog worth?
