The Blog

September 2nd, 2010

Women in Business: Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs (with Susan A. Fogel)

September is National Sewing Month. To kick us off, Susan A. Fogel of SewingInsider.com shares her interview of designer Joan Hawley.

Give us your “Elevator” Speech as to WHO you are and WHAT it is that you do for a “living”. And how should we “know” you?

I’m Joan Hawley, owner of Lazy Girl Designs, a pattern company in the quilting and sewing industries. We offer a line of approximately 80 products including patterns for purses, bags, totes and accessories as well as specialty notions and tools for sewing and quilting.

I had an opportunity to try a new direction in 1997 when my husband Michael’s career took us to a new city and I was in search of my next horizon to conquer in the field of Urban Planning.

I had sewn for more than 20 years when I found the quilt industry and I was immediately taken by the beautiful fabrics. I had not seen such designs, colors and textures before. I fell in love. However, I had never quilted. The fabrics spoke to me and I saw beautiful creations take shape in my mind. I saw functional objects such as bags and accessories, rather than quilts or clothing which happened to be the industry trends at the time. I designed a few things, and using skills from my career in Urban Planning, launched Lazy Girl Designs pattern line. By the way, the inspiration for my company name comes from a Lazy Girl Soup recipe. I don’t remember the cookbook, but “Lazy Girl” fit my focus: easily achieve great results without working too hard. Perfection! There’s a little Lazy in all of us!

My background in design, a penchant for communicating, and a family inclination toward engineering create a perfect foundation for my passion of handbag design and pattern writing. My handbag designs are modern classics, simple and sophisticated. The construction methodology is an important element to my projects. These designs have to be successful for the home sewist, being made with tools, notions and supplies readily available to the crafter. I love deconstructing the traditional methodologies of sewing. Zippers are a great example. The instructions included in a zipper package haven’t changed in all my years of sewing. Yet, I’ve developed four unique and innovative ways to install zippers in my designs which I’ve never seen promoted by the zipper manufacturers. It is a thrill to develop a new way to do something which can easily be achieved by the home sewist.

Tell us about your path to getting to where you are with your business today.

The path to where I am now has never been obvious. There are no footsteps to follow in. Each company in this industry seems to find their own way and particular fit.

I watch style and color trends as well as changes in the industry as a whole. For instance, I only use materials and supplies readily available to the quilt shops where my patterns are sold. I only use items available to them through their distributors. It doesn’t do my company or the stores any good to require a supply or notion they can’t stock. That becomes a barrier to success for the customer.

What is your personal motto or mission statement?

I feel the journey should be as enjoyable as the end. If getting there is no fun, find another way.

Besides your business, what are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about learning, reading, gardening, and food.

My biggest passion hurdle right now is finding room in my small yard for vegetable gardening. With many trees and an odd shaped lot, there aren’t many places with lots of sun. I’m finding a way, though. I’ve just started researching container gardening and I’m trying a few new things this year.

What advice would you give to other women wanting to follow your career path?

Decide what criteria is important to you, what you need and allow that to help shape your path. I think of these components as the members of my board. They are the sounding board I need when hashing out decisions. They are guide posts when choosing new directions. And they change from time to time, so I revisit them as needed. In my case, part of what has shaped my path is that I wanted to avoid two elements from previous jobs: managing people and an office. I don’t want that again if it can be avoided. When we outgrow our current situation, we’ll look for a warehouse and order-fulfillment service. When we need extra staff, we hire contract workers. This allows us to concentrate on running the business rather than managing employees and an office.

Develop a group of advisors and mentors to help make the best decisions and create opportunities. I have a close group of associates who understand the industry, my company and my goals. I rely on them to check my thinking and decisions when needed for opportunities or hard choices. While many of us are competing for the same sales space with our customers, we each have a different focus and place in the industry. Sometimes we work together to support each other’s companies. Sometimes we simply offer advice and insights.

Follow your unique vision and recognize that your view is special. No one was designing bags when I entered the quilt industry. I listened to my inner voice, stayed true to my business ethics and design aesthetics, and built a place in the industry for my brand.

Learn your industry. Evaluate where you need to put your time, energy and money. I attend trade shows, advertise, host a website, participate in online social opportunities, and research tangent markets where my products may also fit.

Pimp yourself! Where can we find you on the web (including social networks like Facebook and Twitter), in bookstores, at the movies, on TV, etc.

Join me and other Lazies online at Facebook and Yahoo.

I’ve appeared in nearly two dozen episodes of Kaye’s Quilting Friends, America Quilts, and Quilter’s Toolbox. Some of my favorite episodes are available at our Lazy Girl channel online at www.KayeWoodTV.com

What question should we have asked, that we didn’t? Now is YOUR opportunity to tell us what we missed!

I am proud to know that my products teach skills, build confidence and are enjoyed. It isn’t just about making a new bag. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, express yourself and enjoy the satisfaction of a successful endeavor.

September 1st, 2010

Celebrate National Women’s Friendship Month

September is National Women’s Friendship Month. What better time to reconnect with the women whose friendship and support has made a tremendous difference in our lives?

It’s easy to lose touch with friends whether it is due to a cross-country move, family obligations, or the demands of our job. But it is never too late to reach out to a friend!

Make a point to reach out to a friend you haven’t connected with in awhile. Don’t let guilt (or hard feelings because they haven’t called you) get in the way. Just do it.

Let her know you were thinking of her. Make an effort to reconnect. Invite her along for a girlfriends getaway. What a perfect way to spend time reconnecting with a friend!

Women’s Friendship Month is also a great time to meet new friends. So look for ways to expand your social circle and connect with other women with similar interests. 

Celebrate women friends - old and new - all this month. Then cherish them every single day.

August 31st, 2010

Author Insight: Karin Slaughter

Tell our readers about your background.

I never believed in being a starving artist, so I always had a full time job, even when I was in college. I actually dropped out to start my own sign company and did very well for many years. Then, I realized I wasn’t really doing what I wanted to do with my life, so I sold the business in order to concentrate on writing. It was a huge risk and I’m very lucky it paid off.

We know you as the author of the Grant County and the Will Trent series, but what else have you written that may not be as well known?

A few years ago, I wrote a novella called Martin Misunderstood for the Dutch Month of the Thriller. It’s a satirical take on crime fiction, and very dark and funny. They are about to film a movie version that should be out next year.

Where did you get the idea for your current novel?

Ideas come from all kinds of places, so it’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing. I’ve spent a lot of time with agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, so that opening scene in Broken with Lena is a reflection of a conversation we had about suicide investigations sometimes being more difficult than homicides because the family want more answers than the cops are able to give.

What is your favorite scene in your current book?

I really love the bit toward the end when Will is washing dishes. Is there anything sexier than a man who does housework?

Do you base your characters on people that you know or have met?

I’m sure that all my characters are an amalgamation of everyone I’ve met in my life with a little of me thrown in.

Tell us about your writing process. How do you write (paper, laptop), how do you approach a book (outline, write the first chapter, start at the end) and where you prefer to write (your office, public spaces, etc)?

My writing process is really awful and I wouldn’t recommend anyone try it. I have a cabin in the North Georgia mountains, and I go up there for a couple of weeks at a time and write fifteen or sixteen hours a day, then I come home and I’m exhausted and never want to write again, then a month later, I’m back up doing the same thing.

I write on a laptop, usually reclined in a La-Z-Boy chair. My stories are written chronologically, from chapter one to whatever. I don’t generally outline unless there are huge time shifts, which has only happened once. I can’t write in public spaces because I talk to myself and someone might try to have me committed.

Many of our readers are creative types, but struggle with the balance of devoting time to their creativity and simply living life. Walk us through a typical day in the life of YOU…

Writers don’t choose to write. It’s sort of like an obsession where you can’t not write. When I was working at my sign company, I would get up a few hours earlier in the morning or stay up late or work through the weekends and holidays. Nothing would stop me from writing. I suppose that’s why I’m so obsessive when I write now. A lot of my friends came from a newspaper background, so they’re used to having a daily deadline and can do four hours a day, then go on with their lives and at the end of the year have a book. I hate them all.

In what ways did your childhood influence you as a writer? As a person?

I don’t think anyone can claim their childhood didn’t influence them in every way as a person or as a writer. I am the youngest of three girls, so you can imagine why most of my early stories involved older sisters dying horrible deaths. My dad would distract us with stories when he was driving us because we got into slap fights all the time. The only thing that would shut us up was a good spanking followed by a good story.

Most writers are avid readers. What authors do you read as a child? And today? Do you have a favorite author or book?

When I was a kid, I read everything I could get my hands on, from Encyclopedia Brown to Colleen McCullough. As an adult, I still love Flannery O’Connor, Margaret Mitchell, Harper Lee, and all the usual authors good southern girls love. Contemporary writers I’m particularly passionate about include Mo Hayder, Denise Mina, Richard Russo, Lee Smith, Jane Smiley, Ann Tyler, Lee Child, and I’m crazy for Kitty Stockett. I loved the Help.

What question should we have asked, that we didn’t? Now is YOUR opportunity to tell us what we missed!

I would like to encourage folks to fight for responsible funding of our public libraries. Even if you always buy books (and bless you for doing that) hundreds of libraries around the country are being closed. Librarians are losing their jobs. Kids in rural communities are losing access to reading and technology. Our educational infrastructure is slowly eroding, and if we don’t act quickly, there’s going to be a little girl somewhere in America who isn’t going to have access to books and is not going to become a writer when she grows up. Libraries are the backbone of our communities. We can’t lose that.

To learn more about Karin Slaughter visit her online at KarinSlaughter.com.

August 27th, 2010

Friendship is a Single Soul Dwelling in Two Bodies by Adelaide Zindler

Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. - Aristotle

Creating Boundaries

Last night I was never more proud of my best friend for being able to say no. While our families shared dinner and games with each other, my husband asked for her help with a project he was working on, and she politely and directly declined. She use to be so much the co-dependent making sure everyone felt good about themselves, without considering how it was impacting her or her own family. Peter was not sure where to go with this either because not only is this a new response for her, it is also an area of weakness the two of them have both struggled with.

Persistence Pays

And to think that if it were not for her determination we’d never have been friends to begin with. She was raising three unruly children, while I was getting by without knowing who my only son was at all! Life revolved around me and at first glance it seemed like her friendship would be much more of an unsightly burden than a blessing. But after forcing her way into my life with kindness, today I don’t know where I’d be without her.

Loving Two Tough Teens

My son and I struggled greatly during his teen years, mostly because I hadn’t grown out of my adolescence. So one day when I was fed up with my life, parenting a challenging child and myself in general, I refused to take him to school and put him out of the car to get there on his own. No sooner had I gotten home was he being chauffeured to his room like a king beside two very compassionate COPS. They actually went up to his room to help him decide what he wanted to take to school that day. I thought, what about me?

Right then my girlfriend showed up at the front door completely unannounced, saying that she felt the Lord urging her to come over. She didn’t know why and I was stunned by her timing. While she was comforting my overly inflated wounds, from the balcony we noticed a tiny mouse standing his ground on the floor downstairs. Like a stealth bomber she grabbed a very thin pole, held it up vertically with one hand and dropped it straight down nailing him. When one of the police officers picked it up and took it outside to the trash, I knew that shy little Mexican woman was destined to be my life long companion.

Friendship is Like Fine Wine

Not only have we been hiking together for over a decade, we pray together, encourage each other to reach higher ground and even share weird cooking experiments that include using stevia and agave in our lemonade instead of sugar. Now that my 5-year old is having growing pains making friends in school I can encourage her with how hard this process can be. Or should I just have her talk to Virgie without me?

Adelaide Zindler, is the Home Office Mommy and the author of 30 Days to Home Office and Parenting Success. Her vision is to position 20 million children and their Spirit-led parents to become the most formidable competitors in the new global marketplace. Parents who work from home and the corporations that want to attract them pay her to help them integrate children into their work life strategy.

August 26th, 2010

Inspiring Woman: Bonnie-Jill Laflin, First Female NBA Scout for the Los Angeles Lakers

Introduce yourself to readers and tell us three things we should know about you.

Hi, I’m Bonnie-Jill. I started out as a dancer, then a professional cheerleader, then a model and actress, then a sports broadcaster, and now, I have the greatest job in the world: as a scout for the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers and also managing their Development League team, the L.A. D-Fenders. And I love animals (especially the menagerie at my house!).

How did you get started as a journalist?

I studied in college (at the University of Texas), then ended up working for L.A.’s CBS affiliate station covering the Lakers.

What did you find most challenging about being a female sports journalist?

Any time you’re a woman in a man’s world, you always have to prove yourself – and coming from a background as a model & cheerleader, establishing my credibility was especially tough.

There are currently several big name female journalist - Hannah Storm, Lisa Salters, Doris Burke, Sage Steele. Why do you think we are finally seeing so many female sports journalists? Will this trend continue?

I certainly hope it continues…it seems like the audience is ready to accept that women do know their way around sports and are willing to hear what we have to say.

How were you able to make the transition from sports analyst to a scout for the hallowed Lakers franchise?

Well, I was covering the Lakers and often got into conversations with the owner, Dr. Jerry Buss. Dr. Buss thought I had an interesting take on the team, and wanted to see what a woman’s point of view might lead to in scouting. They liked what I had to say, and it went from there.

Was there initially any resistance to your role as a scout? If so, how did you overcome it?

Being the first and only female scout out there, it wasn’t exactly resistance – more like – “say what?” People just didn’t know what to make of me and I often had to explain that I was really there to scout players — not cheerleaders.

What advice would you give to other women who want a career in professional sports?

Do your homework. Know your sport(s), have a passion for the work, not for the celebrity. You really will have to prove yourself over and over again, so take it with a grain of salt and don’t believe the people who tell you it can’t be done.

We’re strong proponents of women helping other women. Is there a role model, mentor, or other woman who helped you along the road to success? Is there a woman you act as a mentor for?

I wish I could say there were women who really helped me. It’s been interesting to see how many women think I have some sort of “ulterior motive” — maybe it’s the modeling background or something. But that’s not to say that there aren’t supportive women in my life – my mom, my manager and my girlfriends are so incredibly helpful and always come up with creative ways for me to deal with whatever obstacles I run into.

Many of our readers are professionals who struggle to balance work, home, and personal pursuits. How do you find balance in your life?

Ha! I’ll be sure and let you know when I figure that one out! Seriously, though, if I didn’t have my charity work, I would go nuts – it’s what reminds me that there are things that matter more than the silly stuff people worry about all the time.

We know you’re passionate about sports. What is it that you’re passionate about outside of work?

Animals and the troops. I just started a new charity – Hounds and Heroes – to help bring attention to the mistreatment of our animal friends and also to the sacrifices our Armed Forces make for us on a regular basis. I’ve made 6 trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to help build morale and show people the military faces, and have also done 3 big PETA campaigns (one is launching in July) to help make animal rights issues an important conversation. Other than that, I care about my family – my blood relatives, my friends, and my fur babies (many, many furbabies!).

Learn more about Bonnie-Jill and check out her sexy PETA ad at Bonnie-Jill.com. Connect with Bonnie-Jill on Twitter at @BJLaflin or on her Facebook fan page here.

August 24th, 2010

Author Insight: Michele Howe

Tell our readers about your background: where are you from, and what led you to write for a living?

I am a lifelong resident of Michigan and am the married mom to four young adult children. Before the birth of my oldest daughter, I worked for a small Toledo, OH, PR firm where I became interested in writing. For the past twenty years, I have been freelancing from my home. I am a reviewer for Publishers Weekly, FaithfulReader.com, Aspiring Retail, Foreword Magazine, TeenReads.com, KidsReads.com, among many others national and international publications. I have published over 1200 reviews/articles and has been featured on numerous radio shows across the country speaking on topics such as parenting and a diverse range of women’s health issues. My work has been published in MORE, FIRST for Women, Good Housekeeping, SheKnows.com, BettyConfidential, HelloWorld, Christianity Today, Discipleship Journal, Midwest Living, Parentlife, Fullfill, Christian Single, Single Parent Family, Focus on the Family, and Connections. I also do copywriting and manuscript reviewing for several publishing houses including New Growth Press.

We are familiar with your most recent book, Burdens Do a Body Good: Meeting Life’s Challenges with Strength (and Soul), but what else have you written that we may not be as familiar with?

I’m also the author of ten books for women. My first book, Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom (Hendrickson Publishers), provided hope and practical helps for single moms new to parenting solo. I have also authoredPilgrim Prayers for Single Mothers (Pilgrim Press) and a third book of helps for single mothers titled, Successful Single Moms (Pilgrim Press.) In addition to these resources for single mothers, I wrote four separate titles combining real life stories with inspirational prayer retreats. These titles published by (Jossey-Bass) include: Prayers for Homeschooling Moms,” Prayers to Nourish a Woman’s Heart, Prayers of Comfort and Strength and Prayers for New and Expecting Moms.

My newest books include a follow-up resource to Going it Alone titled, Still Going It Alone: Mothering with Faith and Finesse Once the Children Have Grown (Hendrickson Publishers) and “Burdens Do a Body Good: Meeting Life’s Challenges with Strength and Soul co-authored with orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Christopher A. Foetisch (Hendrickson Publishers).

In addition to my article and book writing, I write a weekly women’s lifestyle and single parenting column at www.bizymoms.com. In line with my passion for working with single parents, all my resources offer encouragement to women of all ages by challenging them to exercise their combination of strengths, skills, and life wisdom in pursuit of a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Recognizing that life is often difficult, women can learn how to recognize (and find solace in) significant life-markers and by so doing, acquire the strength to embrace their daily challenges.

What inspired you to tell this story and who did you write it for?

This book came about after I went through four shoulder surgeries and Dr. Foetisch (my orthopedic surgeon) and I began writing on women’s inspirational and health topics. It was the next natural step to begin writing a book which dealt with the health issues I faced and then wanted to share with other women.

What was your research process for this book?

I do a lot of personal interviews with women across the country, listening to their stories, their challenges and their triumphs, and then compile these into articles/book form.

How do you handle characters in non-fiction writing? Are they accurate representations with “names changed to protect the innocent,” or amalgamations of several real people?

It all depends on the specific situation I’m writing about, certainly, if a person wants their privacy protected, I do change their names to protect them. However, I’ve found most individuals want their stories told with their real names as they more strongly relate (as do their readers) with the experience.

Tell us about your writing process: how do you write? How do you approach a book? Where do you do your best writing?

I always write at my small office PC and when I write, I begin with a working title and a theme statement. From there, I create a rough outline and then fill in the details as I go along. My best writing is done early morning with no interruptions!

Many of our readers are creative types, but struggle with balancing time for creative pursuits with the activities that fill everyday life. Walk us through a typical day in your life.

I’m a busy mom of four, so I’m always juggling the needs of 5 other people as well as running a home, outside responsibilities, and my writing work. I’m organized, so every day I make up my to-do list and just begin working through item by item.

In what ways did your childhood influence you as a writer? As a person?

My parents always provided me with money to buy books, they encouraged it. So, from early on, I’ve been an avid reader. And, I remember exploring lots of creative activities through art classes/sports/educational pastimes.

Most writers are also avid readers. What authors did you read as a child? What authors do you read today? Do you have a favorite book or author?

As a reviewer, I am always reading/reviewing soon to be released titles, mainly non-fiction types. So, the range of authors I read is wide and varied. Of late I really have enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith’s 1st Ladies Detective Agency series.

To learn more about Michele visit her online at http://michelehowe.wordpress.com/.

August 23rd, 2010

Guest Post: Past Lives: A Return To Our Roots by Michelle Brock

Since the dawn of time, we human beings have pondered our existence. We sat gazing up at the starry night sky, marveling at its vastness, discovering order in its seemingly chaotic patterns, and even realizing our own personal connection to it.

Archeologists have found evidence that even the earliest of our species wondered who we are, why we are here, and what happens to us after we die. So then, to question our state of being could be an integral part of being human, as well as the quest to experience a realm of spirit and that which lies beyond our physicality.

This belief in spirit is nearly as old as history itself. Our ancient ancestors pan-globally believed that there was a part of us not connected to our physical form, which contained our consciousness that survived death. These people also, nearly universally, came to the conclusion that we would subsequently be reborn after death. Early humans did believe in reincarnation. How did they formulate this idea? Well, all they had to do was look around them.

Because ancient people lived in a way that was deeply connected to the natural world, they recognized and honored the cycles of life that turn continually all around us. Before we humans took ourselves out of nature and moved into our studio apartments, we understood that we were not separate from nature. And so, because we recognized that we were also a part of these life cycles we could therefore conclude that what we saw happening around us in nature would happen within us as well.

The constant patterns of life, death and rebirth that we saw in the plant and animal world, as well as the daily miracle of the return of the sun in the morning after its’ light was extinguished from the sky the night before, meant that we would do the same. Because our ancestors knew that we were inexorably linked to every living thing, that after we died our life cycle would continue and we would eventually return in a new form; restored, refreshed and renewed. To them, the concept of reincarnation made much more sense than the idea that death was an abrupt ending, rather than a transformation and a continuation.

In the modern world, however, the notion of reincarnation has been relegated to something we call “new age-y”. We associate it with certain religions, gurus, crystals, and coffee-after-yoga-class philosophical talk. In our Western culture, many of us dismiss belief in past lives as something Eastern, esoteric, and therefore not having anything at all to do with us. Perhaps we have just been living out of the forest for way too long and have therefore forgotten this connection we have with all of nature.

The idea here is to return to our roots, and to uncover our past and remember the lessons that we have already been presented with over many lifetimes. I believe that who we are is a cumulative of our experience, and that we are incredibly complex beings who have grown old and wise as many times as we have had our lives cut tragically short. I feel that we are born in order to learn, and maybe one of the many things we need to learn is how to remember. Because, we can never really know where it is that we are going without first understanding where we have been.

Michelle Brock was featured here in the ATG Blog as one of our Inspiring Women, and will be one of our November/December cover girls this year. You can find her on the web at: Past Life Spiritual Practice, or either her professional or personal blogs.

August 19th, 2010

Music to Our Ears: Kim DiVine

Tell us about yourself – where did you come from, and how did you get to where you are today?

I grew up in a small town called Holden, Massachusetts. Just outside of Worcester, MA. I starting plating guitar and attempting to write songs in college and I fell in love with it. After college I got a job working at a radio station. I also began to play some shows live and try out my songs for people. I was so scared but you have to start somewhere. After about a year I got the bug! I decided I wanted something bigger than Worcester Massachusetts and I decided that California was the place to go. In 2004 I quit my job, packed my bags and drove across country with my best friend to move to San Diego. I heard they had a great music scene and I wanted to give it a shot. It was amazing there! I grew up musically in San Diego in so many ways, in writing songs, playing live and I also recorded an EP called “Hummingbird”. After about 3 years there I decided it was time to move on and up and I headed to Los Angeles. I have had such a great time in this city meeting so many great musical minds, recording more music (Square One), and playing shows at places like Hotel Café.

Was music your first love, or did you dabble in other arts first?

I wanted to be an actress first. When I was younger I always loved putting on shows for my family and friends. Making home videos, skits etc. Basically being a goofball. I did a lot of acting in high school and in college. I also sang too but I didn’t switch gears towards music until college when I found a new love for it and realized I had a voice for it too.

Just as authors are influenced by other writers, musicians are often influenced by other musicians. Who are your musical influences?

The first artists who inspired me to make my own music were bands like Dave Matthews, Indigo Girls, Jeff Buckley, Guster, Radiohead, Sunny Day Real Estate and Pink Floyd (just to name a few). I fell in love with their music, each one for different reasons and it really made me want to create my own.

Even the greatest songwriters begin by playing other people’s music. Is there a song you’ve covered that you’re especially fond of? Is there a song you’d love to cover, but haven’t?

My first cover song I learned was “Closer to Fine” by Indigo Girls”. Then I went on to learn Radiohead’s “High and Dry” and “Thinking about You”. I pretty much learned Radiohead’s entire album “The Bends”. That album changed me. I didn’t discover Patty Griffin until I was living in San Diego but once I did I fell in love with her songs. She is amazing. I really love to cover her song “Moses”. I sing to her album “Living with Ghosts” while warming up before shows a lot. That album is my favorite out of her entire discography.

Especially for newer artists, touring is an important part of building a career. Do you enjoy life on the road? What aspect of it most appeals to you?

I do but I don’t get on the road as much as I would like. It can get tough for independent musicians to have the time and funds to properly tour and still manage to pay the bills. But I love going on the road. It can be stressful but after you get through the traffic, getting lost, forgetting gear, or running out of clothes to wear, all you need is one great show in a new city and all is right in the world. All the stress is forgotten and you do it all over again the next day. It is a rush that I love.

Music is as much physical as it is mental and emotional. What is your key to keeping yourself healthy, on the road or off?

Working out and eating right. Without it I couldn’t function. I love to do Yoga, go for a run, and I try to eat well. I am lactose intolerant so I don’t eat any dairy and that forces me to be healthy. Working out is a great stress reliever and it really clears my head.

At some point in their careers almost every musician finds themselves collaborating with another. Who would you absolutely love to collaborate with, and why?

Wow! That is a hard one. Patty Griffin because I think she is brilliant. Dave Matthews as well. He is a great storyteller and I love his guitar skills. Thom York!! I might faint if I ever had that opportunity. He is revolutionary in my mind. The way he blends so many styles and sounds and manages to make music that is totally unique time and time again.

Confession time: when you’re NOT working on your own stuff, what tunes are cranking out of your iPod? Give us your top five?

Ok, right now this is what I am spinning: 1. Mumford and Sons (Sign No More) 2. Joe Purdy (Julie Blue) 3. Train (Save Me, San Francisco) 4. Andrew Belle (The Ladder) 5. Ingrid Michaelson (Everybody)

Find Kim on the web: Website  | My Space  | Personal Facebook Page  | Facebook Fan Page  | YouTube | Twitter | Original Paintings and Jewelry

Are you a baseball fan? Kim will be singing the National Anthem at the LA Dodger’s Game on August 22, 2010.

August 17th, 2010

Author Insight: Susan Van Allen

Tell our readers about your background: where are you from, and what led you to write for a living?

I was born in Newark, New Jersey and grew up on the Jersey Shore, the middle child of four—which meant I always begged for attention. My mother was Italian-American and my father’s background was Irish(mother) and Old New York Dutch. This mix was a typical Jersey shore combination—Bruce Springsteen is the same pedigree!

My father was director of the local college library, so there were always great books around. Reading thrilled me and then I gravitated toward theatre. I performed in high school musicals and comedies, majored in drama in college and moved to San Francisco where I joined a traveling Shakespeare company and acted in avant garde ensembles. I was fortunate to be in San Francisco in the 1980s—a very exciting time for theatre there. There were a lot of solo performers writing their own material who I admired: I saw the first shows of Whoopi Goldberg and Spalding Gray. They inspired me to change course and I began writing and performing monologues of my own which turned into solo shows. That’s when I discovered I loved writing even more than performing.

You begin 100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go with “I fell in love with Italy at a dining room table in Newark, New Jersey.” Explain to readers.

My earliest memories are of my maternal grandparents’ Newark dining room table—they were immigrants from southern Italy. The entire scene—from the lace tablecloth and candles to the steaming bowls of pasta and opera blaring in the background filled me with the joy of “My First Italy”: one abundant, delicious, loving heart.

I finally traveled there right after high school in 1976. It was a whirlwind time in Rome, full of other “firsts”: gazing up at the Sistine Chapel, tasting gelato, getting my bottom pinched, having a love affair, and meeting my Italian cousins who sat me down at their dining room table. The meal with my cousins circled me back to those lovely memories of my grandparents’ dining room. Italy took hold of my heart forever.

Why was it so important for you to write this book and share your passion for Italy with other women?

A friend of mine, the award-winning cookbook writer Arthur Schwartz (www.kuker.com), once told me that one of the most uncomfortable feelings for him arises when he watches people eat bad food. I have the same uncomfortable reaction watching travelers not having a great time in Italy—perhaps it’s in my DNA. If someone comes back from a trip complaining about Italy, I feel as if they didn’t like my family! So ever since my first trip, I’ve become “the girlfriend with the lists,” jotting down notes for friends and friends of friends, steering them to the best the country has to offer. It’s so gratifying that now those lists I once gave to girlfriends have expanded into a book, and I’m getting “grazies” from travelers from all over the world. They’re happy to have some guidance amidst the overwhelming amount of information that’s out there when it comes to Italian travel, and they enjoy the book’s selections which guide them to experience authentic Italy—beyond what’s found in traditional guidebooks.

Italy is filled with historical cities, great art, and amazing food. How did you decide which landmarks, restaurants, etc. made the cut?

At first I fell into a panic, trying to figure out how to include all the beautiful pleasures I’ve enjoyed in Italy. Then I humbled myself and had to face the fact that there are more pleasures in bell’Italia than any one book can hold. So I used some of my favorite experiences and mixed them with some trusted recommendations from Italian and American girlfriend travelers. I focused on sites that pay homage to female deities (from goddesses to female saints to the Madonna). I wrote about places where women took power or grew creatively—such as Isabella D’Este’s studiolo in Mantua and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s apartment in Florence. I included pleasurable places (beaches, gardens, spas, shops, learning vacations, active adventures) and organized the book so that it would be useful to both first time travelers and twenty-first time travelers—meaning I always included places in the Big Three (Rome, Florence, and Venice) along with places in lesser known towns or villages.

Why should the places you’ve selected be of particular interest to women?

Actually, the book appeals to both men and women—all are attracted to Italy’s sensual feast. And then there’s that extra appeal that Italy holds for women. So many come back from a trip telling me: “It felt like home.” I believe this is because Italy understands what women want: it’s a culture that’s been worshipping the female since ancient times–an enchanting place where Venus (Vixen Goddess of Love and Beauty) and The Madonna (Nurturing Mother of Compassion) reign side-by-side. It’s treasures have been nurturing and refreshing female travelers for centuries!

What’s especially attractive to females about the places in the book is the way they’re organized. Taking the lead from the first book in this Travelers’ Tales series, One Hundred Places Every Woman Should Go, I’ve arranged the selections so women can choose experiences according to their changing moods. In a sense, they can behave like Italy’s beloved Goddess Venus, indulging themselves in their deepest desires, whatever they may be. For example, if they’re feeling an urge to see a masterpiece, they can choose from many that glorify womanly curves. If they’d like to learn a craft, I’ve profiled workshops where they can learn such traditional arts as mosaics, ceramics, or landscape painting. There are sections that guide them towards adventures that range from shopping to kayaking. Or maybe they’re in the mood to bliss out at a beach, garden, spa, or indulge their taste buds at a chocolate shop or wine bar—it’s all there for them to enjoy.

I’ve also included entertaining stories that go along with the places—such as the dish behind Greta Garbo’s famous visit to Ravello’s Villa Cimbrone, the enticing life story of designer Miuccia Prada, and the kinky bio of Saint Margaret of Cortona. Women are enjoying the personal take on these places, that’s more fun to read than the dry facts and figures usually found in guidebooks.

Share with us five of the places you feel every woman should visit in Italy?

Thank you so much for not asking for five favorites—that would have been impossible to choose! Among the many options in 100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go, I’ll focus on five fab artsy places:

1. In Rome: The Palazzo Barberini. You may recognize this elegant residence from “Roman Holiday”—it’s where the princess played by Audrey Hepburn slept. Now it’s the National Gallery of Art, a sublime spot filled with Renaissance masterpieces.
2. In Florence: The Botticelli Room in the Uffizi Gallery. Here you’ll see “The Birth of Venus”, that quintessential Renaissance painting which shows the Goddess of Love and Beauty rising from the sea.
3. In Venice: The Frari. Titian’s Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary is the star artwork here. This breathtaking altarpiece painting honors the triumph of the female spirit—complete with dancing red-robed Madonna, golden light, and awestruck spectators watching her being swept up to paradise.
4. In Sicily: The Temple of Segesta. This unique spot is one of the most romantic settings of the ancient world. The unfinished, perfectly preserved temple was dedicated to Diana, The Virgin Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon. It’s set on a grassy hill with sweeping views of the valley, facing the Gulf of Castellammare.
5. In Naples: The Venus of The Beautiful Buttocks in the Archaeological Museum. You’ll get a kick out of this curvy sculpture, which glorifies the back side of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, particularly if you read the hilarious legend behind this behind. The rest of the museum is fantastic, with treasures excavated from Pompeii villas, including the infamous racy collection of frescoes and sculptures that’s kept in the museum’s “Secret Cabinet.”

When is the best time to travel to Italy?

Anytime is wonderful, but I especially love the autumn—from late September through November, when grapes and olives are being harvested. The weather is warm, by mid-October the tourist crowds have thinned, and prices are lowered.

What advice would you give to anyone who feels international travel is too expensive?

There are many ways to cut costs. These days travel packagers (such as Club ABC www.clubabc.com) are offering great value deals to consider, including cruises. If you’re putting a trip together on your own, one of the first things you can do to save money is to travel off season—(January to Easter, or Mid-October to early December). Next, there are many bargain accommodation options—from convent and monastery stays to B&Bs. Apartments are also a bargain way to go these days—there are many choices in all the major cities that cost a fraction of what you’d pay at a hotel and are available for short term stays, even a single night. Check out Craig’s list and www.worldby.com for offers, and know that you can bargain to get a lower price than the listing. As far as eating, you can arrange your days so that you have one sit down meal (averaging between 20 and 40 euro) and for the non-restaurant meal enjoy delicious inexpensive street food: pizza, panini, or cheese, fruits, and vegetables from the local market are fantastic options. With the dollar growing stronger against the euro, it’s possible to have a lovely Italian vacation on $100 a day, and if you’re going the Hostel route, it can be even cheaper.

What is your favorite memory of traveling in Italy?

There are so many! One in particular that comes to mind was when my husband and I visited my cousins in the village of Vinchiaturo, in the region of Molise, where my grandmother grew up. It was right after Christmas and there were about 20 of us at a big long table in their villa dining room, sitting for hours as the wine flowed and the delicious dishes kept coming—from pasta Bolognese to flavorful pork roast to the traditional panettone dessert. I encourage all Italian Americans to track down their relatives and eat with them in the Motherland: It is heavenly!

Pick up a copy of Susan Van Allen’s book 100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go on Amazon. Visit Susan online at SusanVanAllen.com or visit the Facebook Page here.

August 12th, 2010

Inspiring Woman: Olympia LePoint

You were an award-winning rocket scientist. Tell us a little about your background and what led you to that particular career path.

I help those who hate math, overcome their fear, so they love it. My mission started within my role a propulsion scientist for a company that supported NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. I was a rocket scientist for almost a decade. My role was to calculate the probability of catastrophic Space Shuttle Main Engine explosions. I used math and creative-logic to show engineers how to effectively prevent these catastrophic events. As a result, we launched many Space Shuttles successfully. My epiphany came one day as I sat in the launch preparation room. There, I realized that everyone in that room was scheduled to retire except me. Few people would be left to launch future space programs. Then, I saw that the U.S. will be a third world country in the 50 years if we fail to harness domestic innovation — which all depend on math literacy.

What was your experience working in a field that is dominated by men?

As a woman in a male dominated field, I had pure fun and true challenges. Each time that I was given a new project, I felt as if I was like pulling teeth when I requested information. Most mid level engineers were shocked when they saw a young, African-American, sexy, female who was curious about rocket engines. Men were mostly distracted by youth. ( hahah… I laugh as I remember this.) They could not understand how a person of their child’s age could recommend better, and safer engineering designs.

After I demonstrated my knowledge, my time became fun. Through this process, I gathered invaluable information about science and myself. I learned the “ins-and-outs” of rocket science. I also learned about golf, banking, interest rates, sports-cars, steak houses and their single sons and grandsons!

What advice would you give to other women seeking a career in a male-dominated field?

Go for it! Sometimes as the only woman in a male-dominated field, you are the role model for many who want to follow in your footsteps. I was viewed as a role model for children. At the time, many co-workers introduced me with their young children. I mentored many through college and their university graduations.

Plus, in time, the company promoted me as a woman in science. In my spare time, the company sent me to schools and colleges to explain math and science to kids. Students became excited towards math and science again. Now, I have packaged my techniques into in my math education service Olympia’s End Mathaphobia Now — a math training service geared to end mathaphobia, the root cause to math illiteracy. We have a staff ready to help students who hate math, to overcome their fear, so they love it.

What led you to look for ways to help other people - men and women - get over their math fears and enter careers in math and science?

In my life, I experienced a horrific math illiteracy pattern. First, I struggled with math and failed Algebra I, Geometry and Calculus in high school. Next, I was angered when I saw my own mother helplessly struggling with math as she returned to school. Third, I became a college math tutor and witnessed thousands who also feared math. As a rocket scientist, I witnessed most space engineers retiring without replacements, because the U.S. has too few native mathematicians and scientists. As a college educator, I saw that the students could not even read the math texts. These experiences lead me to discover the root cause, Mathaphobia.

What is Mathaphobia exactly?

Mathaphobia is a fear and contagious mind virus that blocks the brain from math literacy, basic math calculations and analytical problem-solving. Like other phobias, mathaphobia shuts down the frontal brain lobes – the same lobes that are responsible for creative thinking, the prerequisite for math solutions. In turn, mathaphobia activates the flight–or-fight survival response, and fear locks the person into a self-sabotaging actions.

We discovered that Mathaphobia spreads from person to person like a contagious plague. We can see the virus symptoms manifest in actions such as:

1. Quincy the Quitter. Quincy thinks that he will fail before he tries.
2. Donna the Over-Doer. Donna studies excessively and still fails tests.
3. Samuel the Struggler. Samuel doesn’t know how to operate his powerful brain.
4. Crystal the Criticizer. Crystal blames everyone else for her poor performance.

What tips can you offer to parents whose children are struggling with math or science?

1. Know your Mathaphobia and end it: Almost all of us have experienced mathaphobia in our lifetime. With the right action plan, we can transform mathaphobia to become David the Determined, Sarah the Strategist, Corey the Capitalist and Ellen the Enthusiast respectively. When we end math fear, our frontal brain lobes began to work again. When the fear is turned off, we can solve problems again.
2. Master Plan B’s:You can help your child become a math problem-solver by mastering The Plan B’s. Create back up plans for your child in the event that your child cannot obtain math help from the teacher. Plan B: Ask your child to name the people in his/her class who understands the concept. Plan C: Ask your child to identify the math tutors provided on campus. Plan D: Ask your student about the other math teachers on campus. If one person is not able to help, choose the next backup path. Take plan G, Plan H,…. Plan I….until the mission is accomplished. This process will train your child to become resilient and not give up on math.
3. Practice The Admit & Sit Approach:
   If your child comes to you with a math problem, you may have forgotten how to solve the problem. In this case, you can take the Admit & Sit Approach. Admit that you have forgotten, and sit with them to relearn the math. If you require help, have a tutor come in to teach YOU and your child. You will show your child that you are investing your time into his/her success.

Tell us about the book you’ve written to help people with “Mathaphobia” overcome it.

Mathaphobia: How I Overcame My Math Fears to Be A Rocket Scientist is a non-fiction, memoir, self-help, math book that places a physical face to math literacy. The book ends mathaphobia and promotes math as a language. I have also created the Mathaphobia Removal Kit, a CD set which helps students and patents reprogram their thinking towards math. The kit will be available in September 2010. The book and kit expose the mathaphobia phenomenon, its warning signs and the process for removal.

We’re strong proponents of women helping other women. Is there a role model, mentor, or other woman who helped you along the road to success? Tell us how you mentor others.

The late Mrs. Jane Pinkerton, a former administrator at California State University Northridge, was my mentor. She hired me for my first job as a math tutor, even though I failed math previously. She encouraged me to pursue mathematics, and I later became an aerospace engineer.

Now, I have a WONDERFUL staff of expert scientists, educators and college students who I have trained to help others love math. Our goal is to spread information about mathaphobia across the U.S. through public speaking, workshops, newspapers, TV shows, and Los Angeles based tutoring services.

What is your ultimate goal?

In fifty years, I want to see a new U.S. generation filled with people who embrace math and who will change our world for the better…all with their problem-solving skills. I will represent math courage in this process. So, I have devoted myself to becoming “The New Face for Math Literacy.”

Where can readers learn more about you and get tips on how to overcome their “Mathaphobia”?

Visit www.Mathaphobia.com. You can also take our self-test. Go to the “Gain Complementary Tips Section” link, and you will find out if you are Quincy the Quitter, Donna the Over-Doer, Samuel the Struggler, or Crystal the Criticizer. The Mathaphobia Removal Kit will help transform you out of this rut. Additional information about my upcoming book Mathaphobia will be on my twitter, facebook pages.

August 11th, 2010

Women in Entertainment: Celeste Thorson

Our readers probably recognize you from your work on television. Tell us a bit more about the life and times of Celeste Thorson.

I was born a California girl but grew up traveling the southwest as a tomboy. After a string of commercials and modeling jobs for clients like Reebok, Sprint, Paul Mitchell and Yoplait, I booked a role as the athletic host on Destination X TV. I was thrilled to land a job where my adventurous youth came in handy, traveling to beautiful locations like Hawaii to do extreme sports was just a dream come true. For the past two seasons I’ve had a blast skydiving from 14,000 feet, swimming with sharks, repelling off mountains, dogfighting in trainer jets, racing sports cars, and challenging myself at every opportunity. In addition to action I also adore comedy so I recently played one of Neil Patrick Harris’ love interests on How I Met Your Mother and did a comedic sketch for Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Was a career in the performing arts always part of your plan, or did you dabble in other fields, first?

When I was seventeen I returned to California after studying classical art in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I wanted to pursue a career in political activism and just stumbled onto acting and modeling along the way. I had a few photographer and makeup artist friends who’d asked me to shoot for them. I was having so much fun going from gamine to glam I started building a portfolio. I’ve aways been expressive but, never imagined performance art could be so rewarding. I did some local theater as a child like playing Peter from Peter and the Wolf but, had no idea it could actually be a career. I was referred to the most wonderful talent agent, Alex Fox at CESD Talent. I’m quite fond of writing as well so I’ve written about 24 episodes of television for Destination X and The Industry. I also enjoy writing for film, I had a wonderful time co-writing a 19th century screenplay about the Ira Aldridge, a phenomenal African American actor who changed the face of theater. I think being behind the camera can be just as exciting as being in front of it.

Is there a role model, mentor or other guiding force who helped you along the road to success?

I find women like Frida Kahlo, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Katherine Hepburn, Sojourner Truth, and Margaret Thatcher tremendously motivating. My grandmother had such a difficult life in Korea and overcame so many tribulations that I am forever grateful for her kindness and support. My adoptive grandparents from Colorado have loved me as their own, shown so much generosity, and shared the importance of compassion and charity with me. My mother’s fine artistry has definitely influence my craving for creativity and appreciation of all mediums. So many great photographers like Matthew Jordan Smith, Andrew Paynter, Leslie Delano, and Hakan Akif Celeb have been a source of inspiration in my career. And of course the directors and CD’s who have given me the opportunity to be a part of their visions like Paul Street, Preston Whitmore, Jonas Akerlund, Shaun Conrad, Douglas Tanner, Caroline Liem, Marisa Ross and Alyson Silverberg. I also appreciate all the love from my fans who have been so encouraging. I find HAPA and people of mixed race so beautiful, I have always looked up to those that redefine societies views on race.

As an entertainer, you live much of your life in the public eye. How do you balance your public and private personas? Is there a difference, or are you pretty much the same in and out of the spotlight?

I mainly contribute my fashion, comedic, and political interests publicly while some other facets of my personality are less known. I think mystery can be as powerful as information and at an age where we are over saturated with triviality I try to keep things on a need to know basis. I strive to remain positive and favor sharing the ideas that motivate and inspire me. Privately I go through every emotion, I am a passionate person and things like injustice and inequality really set me off. I do my best to focus on the solution and mobilize others to do the same.

Even in the arts, the job isn’t everything; what are you passionate about besides your work?

Human and environmental rights have become almost an obsession for me. Human rights are my heart, my family, my blood I can’t really express how it feels when I think about the people without them. I admire organizations like Amnesty International and Doctors without Borders that heroically promote freedom and equal rights around the world. When you are standing up for what you believe in and use your voice for a greater cause it is indescribably fulfilling. When I am not advocating civil rights or signing petitions I am probably cooking up a storm or hitting up some water sports at the beach. When I’m looking for a challenge I head over to do some Martial Arts, it is an empowering way for me to channel energy and release tension. When it’s time to relax I love to watch stand up comedy, listen to music, or make up my own dialog to old silent flicks.

What advice would you give to other women who want a career in television?

Clarify what you want, do your research and be prepared for hard work. Seek out the best training available and apply yourself 150%. Do something every day that will bring you closer to your goal. Don’t sit around waiting for life to happen to you, take the reigns and make it happen. Collaborate with artists in your field and find a positive creative community where you can experiment freely. Boldly dismissing your fears with confidence and don’t let anything get in your way especially yourself. Make the honest effort, win or lose, you can always learn from your mistakes and laugh about them later. Baby steps are still progress. They keep you grounded and moving in the right direction. Celebrate the little wins in life, as small as they may seem they are gifts of happiness, so be grateful for them.

Tell readers how they can connect with you and learn about your current projects and passionate causes?

If you would like to find out more or connect with me you can visit:

• My website: CelesteThorson.com
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CelesteThorson
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCelesteThorson
• Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/CelestialStorms
• IMBD: http://www.imdb.me/celestethorson

It is great to hear from fans and share ideas about important topics like civil rights and eco-friendly ideas. I circulate a lot of petitions but, always enjoy exploring both sides of any argument. I also have an online store (http://www.zazzle.com/celestethorson where we donate 50% of profits to a different charity every month.

August 10th, 2010

Author Insight: Avis Cardella

Tell our readers about your background: where are you from, and what led you to write for a living?

I was born in Brooklyn and moved to Staten Island when I was ten years old. I knew I wanted to be a writer at the age of seven when I wrote a short story that got my teacher’s attention. I was shy and somewhat introverted and I realized that through writing I could express myself.

You are the author of Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict. What have you written prior to your recent memoir?

I’ve been a journalist for over fifteen years and have written extensively about contemporary photography and in particular fashion photography. It seems I developed an almost encyclopedic knowledge of fashion images, from the late 1970’s until the 90’s, from having read fashion magazines voraciously as a child. Consequently, I really enjoy writing about this subject. I have contributed to a series of books about fashion photography titled Fashion Images de Mode.

Spent is a very personal account of your own life. What inspired you to share your story?

I wrote Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict because I had many questions about what I had been through. I wanted to understand my personal reasons for having become a shopping addict but also understand the cultural and social events surrounding me that provided the skeleton on which that addiction could thrive. I wanted readers who are questioning their own shopping habits to be able to explore their own issues through this memoir.

While you were telling your own life story, there is also a good amount of research involved. What type of research did you do for this book?

Non-fiction generally requires a fair amount of research. I did do a lot of research for this book because in addition to it being a memoir I have lots of other social, cultural and scientific data: emergence of mall culture, credit cards, famous shopping addicts throughout history, pertinent data about the prevalence of shopping addiction in different countries, and shopping neuroscience for example. For my research, I read a ton of books, journals, essays, and magazine articles in addition to speaking with authorities on my subject.

How do you handle characters in your memoir? Are they accurate representations with “names changed to protect the innocent,” or amalgamations of several real people?

Names have been changed in Spent and only minor characteristics of some people. No amalgamations.

Tell us about your writing process.

I’m always distracted in public places because I like to people watch so much. I’m best in my office.

Many of our readers are creative types, but struggle with balancing time for their creative pursuits. How do you manage to make time for everyday life and your creative projects? Walk us through a typical day in your life.

Ah, the dreaded typical day! Actually, no day seems to be typical and I guess that’s a good thing. Since I work from home, life always seems to make plans without consulting me. There may be something I have to do with my husband, or something with the house, or other work that needs my attention before I can sit down and write. I try to write whenever the moment manages to work out. Sometimes I write late at night but I find myself best in the afternoons.

In what ways did your childhood influence you as a writer? As a person?

My mother was a voracious reader and always took me to the library. I learned to love books from an early age and also fell in love with writing at that time. I think this early exposure to books and reading has made me a more curious person. I am always asking questions.

Most writers are also avid readers. What authors did you read as a child? What authors do you read today? Do you have a favorite book or author?

I enjoyed reading mythology as a child, but the first book I really loved was The Wind in the Willows. Today I read just about everything and anything. Some contemporary authors I like are Joan Didion, Martin Amis, Zadie Smith, Geoff Dyer, and Italo Calvino. I still read magazines quite often.

What are you working on now?

A novel about mistaken identity.

To learn more about Avis Cardella, visit her online at AvisCardella.com. Read the review of Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict here.

August 7th, 2010

Author Insight: Kirsten Miller

Tell our readers about your background. Where are you from, and how did you start writing for a living?

I grew up in a very small town in the mountains of North Carolina. When I was seventeen, I set off for Barnard College in New York City—a school I’d never visited. Somehow I just knew that was where I was meant to be. (I was right.) My career as an author began with a similar lack of forethought. I started writing my first book to entertain myself—nothing more. I never thought about making money or appealing to an audience. I just wanted to see if I could do it. Believe me, I was as surprised as anyone to discover I could actually make money writing very strange stories.

Other than the book you’ve just published, what else have you written that may not be as well known?

I also write the Kiki Strike book series. (There are two books in the series at the moment and a third to come soon.) They tell the story of Kiki Strike and the six delinquent girl geniuses who keep Manhattan (and its secret underground city) safe.

Where did you get the idea for your current novel?

The Eternal Ones reflects my life-long interest in reincarnation. I’m not saying I’m a believer, but how else can you explain déjà vu, child prodigies, irrational phobias, or love at first sight?

All of my books have begun with a single scene that pops into my head one day and serves as the inspiration for the rest of the novel. In the case of The Eternal Ones, I imagined a little girl being observed by her father while she talks to an “imaginary friend.” As the father watches, he begins to realize that the child isn’t playing, she’s remembering a conversation she had in a previous life.

The rest of the book grew out that one scene—and then got mixed up with some of my other life-long interests, including sinister secret societies and billionaire playboys.

What is your favorite scene in your current book? (If you don’t want to give spoilers, you can just describe the scene in vague terms.)

My favorite scene is when the protagonist, Haven Moore, finally comes face-to-face with the womanizing billionaire playboy (Iain Morrow) she suspects may have been the love of her previous life.

Do you base your characters on people that you know, or have met?

Not really, but I do borrow “parts” of people for my characters. Beau Decker (Haven Moore’s gay best friend and my favorite character in the book) is an amalgam of at least two family members I’ve always admired.
Tell us about your writing process: how do you write (paper, keyboard, voice recorder)? How do you approach a book (outline, mind-map, just write, begin at the end)? Where do you do your best writing (your office, curled up in bed, in public spaces)?

I begin by writing extensive outlines. (Sometimes 40+ pages.) I hate, hate, hate this stage of the process, but with books as densely plotted as mine, it’s an absolute necessity. When I’m ready to sit down and write, I start at the beginning. My rough drafts are often extremely rough. (My writing process has a great deal in common with painting. I start with a sketch, fill it in, and then add the details.) I edit as I write. When a book is finished, I’ve probably gone over each chapter more than 100 times. I write at my desk, in my office, with earplugs in and a bottle of Manhattan Special espresso drink in front of me. I will often write for three or four hours straight without even getting up from my desk. (Thank you, Manhattan Special!)

Many of our readers are creative types, but struggle with balancing time for creative pursuits with the mundane tasks required to live life. Walk us through a typical day in your life.

I am extremely fortunate to live in a city where I can (literally) get anything I need delivered to my house. I haven’t been inside a grocery store for months. And I can have an order of Ethiopian food in front of me in less than 30 minutes. I don’t think I could find the right balance between work and life anywhere other than New York. (Believe me, I’ve tried.)

When I’m working, an average day goes something like this . . . My daughter wakes me up at an unnatural hour. I feed and dress her (a fabulous creative outlet in my opinion) and get her ready for daycare (another thing I simply couldn’t live without). Between the hours of 9 and 5, I work like a madwoman to get words on the page. In the evenings, I play with my kid, write blog entries, respond to emails, and take care of other duties. Yes, it’s a glamorous life.

But it’s important to take days off. Whenever my creative output starts to outweigh my input, I’ll play hooky from work and go explore the city. It’s my favorite thing to do, and I always come home with more fodder for my books.

In what ways did your childhood influence you as a writer? As a person?

I had an absolutely fantastic childhood. My hometown boasted a Bigfoot-like creature, a man who always dressed like Elvis, and abandoned olivine mines. It was small enough and safe enough for kids to wander around without supervision. As a result, my brother and sister and I ran wild for most of our childhoods. Many of our adventures have found their way into my novels.
I was also very fortunate to have parents who let me read anything and everything I could find. My father, in particular, has a wide and eccentric range of interests—a trait I certainly inherited from him. I used to spend hours at the public library in my hometown, curled up at the end of an aisle I called “the weird book section,” reading adult books about aliens, ghosts, and reincarnation.
Most writers are also avid readers. What authors did you read as a child? What authors do you read today? Do you have a favorite book or author?

As a kid, I never really focused on individual authors. I just read whatever looked interesting to me. For some reason, when it came to fiction, I often found myself picking up horror books. The Amityville Horror was the first adult novel I ever read. (When I was seven, I think.) I also loved Steven King and gobbled up every book he wrote. I was a very strange child.
These days, I favor the works of Michael Chabon—particularly The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, which I first read as a teenager. I also love Angela Carter’s books. I’ve read Wise Children three or four times.

Now is YOUR opportunity to tell us what we missed! What question should we have asked, that we didn’t (and what’s the answer to it)?

You now know everything about me. Please use your knowledge for good instead of evil.

August 6th, 2010

Book Review: Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

A guest review by Seana Duncan

I am becoming a little choosier with my chick lit. I have grown tired of reading about fashion writers named Harper or Chynna running around Manhattan in their Manolo’s looking for true love when their true love is actually the obnoxious yet witty, rugged yet handsome art editor in the next cubicle. At some point, I lost the ability to relate to characters like that. Don’t get me wrong; I love me some escapism. But seriously, an entry-level fashion writer that’s able to afford Manolo Blahnik’s, let alone a loft on the Upper East Side with a doorman? That’s not escapism, that’s fantasy!

Emily Giffin is a master at creating relatable characters with depth; they are sometimes funny, and sometimes sad, but you can always relate to them. Heart of the Matter, Ms. Giffin’s latest, is a bit somber compared to some of her other titles; this chick lit is all grown up. The two main characters, Tessa Russo and Valerie Anderson, are women from the same Boston suburb whose paths will cross after a tragic accident that will change both of their lives forever. Both Tess and Valerie are grappling with real, grown-up issues such as divorce, single motherhood, sick children, and making the difficult choice between career and being a stay at home mother. You will feel their pain, question their choices, cheer them on, and genuinely hope that everything works out for the best.

With 368 pages of heartfelt emotion, Heart of the Matter is not a quick read. While no one in this book is a zany 20-something with a fabulous wardrobe trying to prove herself to her tyrannical boss, these are strong women with a good, hearty story to tell. You probably won’t laugh out loud while reading this book, but you will put it down feeling utterly satisfied.

August 5th, 2010

Author Insight: Sarah Pekkanen

Tell our readers about your background. Where are you from, and how did you start writing for a living?

I’m from Bethesda, Maryland and I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to scribble manuscripts on 3-ring binder paper and send them off to publishers, then confidently wait to see my books in stores. A few years ago, my niece borrowed one of my old Nancy Drew books and a letter fell out from between the pages. I’d written it to a publisher on Raggedy Ann stationery, asking when my book, titled Miscellaneous Tales and Poems, would be published. I still carry that old letter with me every time I go to New York as a reminder that some childhood dreams really do come true.

Give us a quick rundown of the books you’ve written, starting with your most recent book.

The Opposite of Me is my debut novel (though my publisher just bought my second book, titled Skipping a Beat, which will be out in February).

Where did you get the idea for your current novel and how did you come up with the title?

When people learn the premise of my novel, the first thing they ask me is whether I’m a twin. Nope; in fact, I don’t even have a sister. But I’ve always been intrigued by the complex relationships my friends have with their sisters, so I tried to make the relationship of my main characters, Lindsey and Alex, as juicy and competitive and loving and tangled as possible. I’ve heard about twins who are so close that they create their own language, and can feel each other’s pain from miles away - but I wondered what would happen to twins who were completely different. What if two sisters had nothing in common, but were constantly being compared? How would that shape their relationship? I also think it’s very common in families for children to get certain labels, either spoken or unspoken – like the “pretty sister,” the “smart one,” the “drama queen,” or the “peacemaker.” I’ve always been curious about how those labels are formed – are they really a true reflection of who we are inside? It’s interesting to me that we can go out into the world and re-invent oursevles as adults, yet when we go home to visit our families, they still see us through the lens our childhood roles. And sometimes, despite our best efforts, we get dragged kicking and screaming back into those roles! So I took both of those notions and spun them around in my mind for a while before they turned into the premise of my novel. The intersection of those themes – sisterhood and identity - is the heart of my novel.

As for the title, I’m horrible at titles. Horrible. My editor came up with The Opposite of Me after I kept suggesting clunkers.

Tell us a little about the twin sisters that are the protagonists in your book.

Lindsey and Alexandra Rose are complete opposites - or so they think. Lindsey is the driven overachiever, while Alex sort of floats through life on the strength of her looks. But life as they know it changes for both sisters, and they’re forced to re-think their relationship and the assumptions they’ve always made about one another.

What is your favorite scene in your current book?

Probably when the bumbling parents screech up over the curb at the fancy country club when they arrive for Alex’s engagement party. Lindsey, who is forced to sit on the hump in the back seat of the station wagon, is trapped as she listens to her parents bicker and anticipates seeing Alex again for the first time in years.

Are the characters in this book based on people you’ve personally encountered?

No - although my parents are slightly suspicious about the similarities between them and the parents in my book. But other than sharing a love of Ikea’s low priced breakfasts (and being willing to spend an hour in traffic and five dollars in gas to take advantage of said breakfasts) they’re completely fictional.

Tell us about your writing process: how do you write (paper, keyboard, voice recorder)? How do you approach a book (outline, mind-map, just write, begin at the end)? Where do you do your best writing (your office, curled up in bed, in public spaces)?

I get insanely jealous when I read about authors who say things like, “When I’m starting a book, I like to escape to a secluded beach cottage and take long walks in the sand while watching the sun rise before I sit down to write the day’s chapter.” I mean, I’m lucky if I get to stare at a YouTube clip of the ocean for a few seconds before I start work! I’ve got three little boys, which means I bring my laptop everywhere. I wrote some of my novel at Chuck E. Cheese (I used to work in loud newsrooms so I find background noise oddly comforting). I write in little snatches of time, like for 15 minutes if I happen to be the first one in the house awake, as well as bigger spaces when I can score a babysitter. I’m lucky to have very supportive parents who live nearby and are always willing to lend a hand. And my husband is great about clearing away some time for me to work on weekends. The truth is, I fit writing in around my life instead of the other way around, and I’m very comfortable with that. Although the little beach cottage and an inspirational sunset or two would be lovely, too.

Many of our readers are creative types, but struggle with balancing time for creative pursuits with the mundane tasks required to live life. Walk us through a typical day in your life.

Although I can waste an incredible amount of time on the Internet, I’m really good about streamlining other aspects of my life. I rarely shop, only shower when necessary, avoid cleaning my house (luckily my husband is much neater than me) and exercise by taking the dog for a long hike while I return calls on my cell phone. My priorities are my family, friends, and my writing - everything else can wait. I really admire writers who have other full-time jobs and come home and somehow dredge up the energy to put in a few hours in front of the computer. That sort of dedication is amazing - and it will pay off.

In what ways did your childhood influence you as a writer? As a person?

My father is also a writer, though his books and articles are non-fiction and focus on medical issues. But his lifestyle looked ideal to me as a child: He got to work in his sweatpants! Rummage through the refrigerator whenever he wanted! Sneak a peek at the television now and then! Who wouldn’t love a job like that?

Most writers are also avid readers. What authors did you read as a child? What authors do you read today? Do you have a favorite book or author?

Judy Blume (oh, did I dog-ear those pages of Forever) and the Nancy Drew books were my go-to books growing up. Today, Jennifer Weiner is my favorite author because she writes about real women in a smart, funny way. When my agent told me that Jennifer’s editor wanted to buy my book, I made her repeat it until she had laryngitis. I also love Marian Keyes and Emily Giffin, other top writers in my genre.

What projects are on the horizon for you?

I have a new two book contract, which means I get to keep writing a book a year for now, and I’m so grateful, because this is truly a dream job. And by “dream” I don’t mean that I’m sitting in an elegant coffee shop, watching flawless prose unfurl from my fingertips as a barista brings me a steaming espresso and I nod in delight at my own cleverness. It’s not a glamorous dream; at times, when the writing is coming slowly and my metaphors seems to be doing backbends in an effort to be clichéd, it’s gritty and grueling and ugly. But other times the words come as quickly as I can type them, and I look up from my keyboard to see that the hands of the clock have leapt hours ahead. Even when the work is hard, the rewards make it so worthwhile. This is the job I’ve dreamed of having ever since I was a kid, when I used to write books on three-ring binder paper and send them out to publishers. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

Where can readers go to learn more about you and your latest book?

All of the above! My website is SarahPekkanen.com, and I hold monthly drawings for books and Godivas for my newsletter subscribers (that got your attention, didn’t it?) I’m on Twitter at @SarahPekkanen and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Pekkanen/215202723761?ref=ts. On my FB Fan Page (oh, that term makes me cringe!) I give away tons of books by other authors - it’s my way of thanking people for supporting my novel, and a way I can help spread the word about other authors and books I love. Please stop by for a visit soon!

August 4th, 2010

Breast Ironing - A Misguided Tradition

Recently, a number of publications have highlighted, and condemned, a tradition practiced in West and Central Africa (particularly Cameroon): breast ironing. Yes, you read that right and it is exactly what it sounds like. Breast ironing is the practice of using hot stones or other kitchen objects (such as hammers, pestles and spatulas) to flatten adolescent girls’ developing breasts with the intention to protect the girls from attracting men’s advances and becoming sexually active.

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