“I didn’t realize for a long time what the thing was that showed behind, that dim sub-pattern, but now I am quite sure it is a woman.” - Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper" This story is about a woman who is trapped by society, her marriage, and her own mental illness. She is also literally trapped inside a room with ugly yellow wallpaper, and all she can do with her time is stare at the wallpaper. Eventually, she is convinced there's a woman trapped behind the yellow …
What I Watched
Lately, I’ve been laid up, after having an unexpected, traumatic tooth extraction, and then coming down with Covid. I am fully vaccinated, boosted, practice good dental hygiene, rarely go out and wear a quality mask whenever I do – so this state of affairs has felt extremely unjust. (I am in the process of writing the whole story in far more detail, so please stay tuned for that post.) Anyhow, I have been in pain, exhausted, and unable to do much, so I have been watching more TV this last …
Book Review: The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
I became aware of The Ballerinas, by Rachel Kapelke Dale, in an airport bookstore, when I had six hours to kill due to a delayed flight. I was immediately intrigued by its cover, with three female forms donned in pretty pink tutus. That’s because I have spent a lot of time in my life, from when I was around five years old and all the way through college, taking ballet lessons. I was never very good, but I stuck with it and eventually earned the opportunity to …
Broadcast News in the #MeToo Era
Broadcast News has always been one of my top ten favorite films, ever since I saw it in the theater as a teenager. When I was young, I enjoyed it for its witty banter and the depiction of its feminist yet feminine protagonist, Holly Hunter’s Jane. At one point, Jane’s boss says to her sarcastically, “It must be nice to always believe you know better, to always think you’re the smartest person in the room.” Holly Hunter/Jane responds, deadpan, “No. It’s awful.” Watch the scene The movie is …
Favorite Daughters: Path to Publication
It’s been several years since I’ve published a novel, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been writing. I started Favorite Daughters roughly six years ago, and I went through multiple revisions and rewrites, and a long process in finding a publisher. But I am happy to announce that Black Rose Writing will release Favorite Daughters in August of 2022. Why the wait? Traditional publishers have a long, complicated process and they want to make sure they get everything right. Today, I am celebrating …