Mechelle Morrison's Blog: in a world where ...., page 9
July 11, 2015
this weekend on my blog:
The first few pages of "The Seeds Project Interviews." Should you like a sneak-peak, you'll find it here:
www.mechellemorrisonbooks.blogspot.com
Read on,
M
www.mechellemorrisonbooks.blogspot.com
Read on,
M
July 9, 2015
six days and counting....
Hello everyone,
Six days left until 'The Seeds Project Interviews' giveaway closes. !! I know I'm excited. This book publishes the first week of August, so! Winning copies will mail soon after.
And to all you fine Goodreaders who've marked 'Seeds' as to-read: you seriously ROCK!
Read on,
M
Six days left until 'The Seeds Project Interviews' giveaway closes. !! I know I'm excited. This book publishes the first week of August, so! Winning copies will mail soon after.
And to all you fine Goodreaders who've marked 'Seeds' as to-read: you seriously ROCK!
Read on,
M
June 29, 2015
Friday wrap...on Monday
Hi ya'll.
I really liked The Fifth Wave. It was classic YA; a blend of Hunger Games and Cocoon and a few other things mixed in for spice. The theme of girls-with-guns ran strong in this one, and though it's a theme I don't like, the book is well written, fast-paced, and leaves you with that roller coaster sensation of having enjoyed the ride while not pondering anything deeply while you did.
My daughter, who is a bit behind on her 12-book-goal, is almost done with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Rock on, little sister.
This week I'm reading Tracks. If you know nothing of this story, you can best think of it as the predecessor of Wild: Tracks is one woman's journey across 1700 miles of Australian desert (from Alice Springs to the Atlantic ocean). On foot, mind you.
This book offers insight into the mind-set of 1970s Australia (which for all intents and purposes is Webster-definition misogynistic and racist). But Robyn Davidson, the author, is fascinatingly aware of the shortcomings of Australia's politics--and how the cultural mindset of her time diminished her as a person.
She set upon her goal with no clear plan for achieving it--the framework of failure for most things, especially most grand things such as this one. She had no money, no camels (there are more camels in Australia than anywhere else in the world) and no road map for her journey. Just a goal.
The first few pages of this book were tough to get into. Robyn's style is fluid, at times to the point of random thought, and she uses a lot of Australian slang and dialect. But the writing pulls together as the reading goes along. Robyn has an incredible story to tell, and her insights into herself and the dignity of others is inspiring.
Early on she writes: "The most difficult thing is to act. The rest is mere tenacity."
To me this quote says volumes about how fear is what really holds us back from our dreams, our belief in ourselves, and reaching our full potential.
Looking forward to the journey.
Read on,
M
I really liked The Fifth Wave. It was classic YA; a blend of Hunger Games and Cocoon and a few other things mixed in for spice. The theme of girls-with-guns ran strong in this one, and though it's a theme I don't like, the book is well written, fast-paced, and leaves you with that roller coaster sensation of having enjoyed the ride while not pondering anything deeply while you did.
My daughter, who is a bit behind on her 12-book-goal, is almost done with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Rock on, little sister.
This week I'm reading Tracks. If you know nothing of this story, you can best think of it as the predecessor of Wild: Tracks is one woman's journey across 1700 miles of Australian desert (from Alice Springs to the Atlantic ocean). On foot, mind you.
This book offers insight into the mind-set of 1970s Australia (which for all intents and purposes is Webster-definition misogynistic and racist). But Robyn Davidson, the author, is fascinatingly aware of the shortcomings of Australia's politics--and how the cultural mindset of her time diminished her as a person.
She set upon her goal with no clear plan for achieving it--the framework of failure for most things, especially most grand things such as this one. She had no money, no camels (there are more camels in Australia than anywhere else in the world) and no road map for her journey. Just a goal.
The first few pages of this book were tough to get into. Robyn's style is fluid, at times to the point of random thought, and she uses a lot of Australian slang and dialect. But the writing pulls together as the reading goes along. Robyn has an incredible story to tell, and her insights into herself and the dignity of others is inspiring.
Early on she writes: "The most difficult thing is to act. The rest is mere tenacity."
To me this quote says volumes about how fear is what really holds us back from our dreams, our belief in ourselves, and reaching our full potential.
Looking forward to the journey.
Read on,
M
June 18, 2015
BOW: Summer reading 3 & 4
My daughter started this week with 'A Brief History of Time,' by Stephen Hawking, but only made it about twenty pages in. She'd just seen "The Theory of Everything" and she thought for sure she wanted to get inside Dr. Hawking's head--but as it turns out, at fourteen, she was baffled by the concepts. Sticking with sci (but adding fi), she instead selected 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' by Douglas Adams. Much more her speed, me thinks, but shout out! I applaud her those twenty pages.
This week I'm reading 'The Fifth Wave,' by Rick Yancey. (I know...strange coincidence that it opens with a quote by Stephen Hawking, but there you go.) My daughter informs me that this book was 'super-popular' about two years back, so I'm doing well to only be trailing her generations' taste by maybe 700 days. It seems people under 20 move through current culture at light speed. Those crazy kids.
My daughter is reading sci-fi because she wants to stay with science...I'm reading sci-fi because I'm into writing it. 'The Fifth Wave' is all about alien invasion, which is cool, whereas 'The Seeds Project Interviews' is future funk (perhaps I've just coined a genre). 'Seeds' is set just beyond the here-and now.
The here-and-now is some past generations' version of sci-fi, for sure, just like it's some future generations' throw-back steam-punk. But don't burst brain cells fretting too much over that.
One of my favorite ways to write sci-fi is to take the present and bend it, just a bit, until my story bridges what is and what-could-be in a way that may or may not be possible. This is definitely the underlying reality of 'Seeds,' but it's not a reality that underlies 'Seeds' sequel. The sequel, which I'm about a third way through, is steamy, sexy, fantastic, brave and so far into the future as to be somewhere else entirely. (Did I mention that another of my favorite ways to write sci-fi is to strip all the rules away?)
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
This week I'm reading 'The Fifth Wave,' by Rick Yancey. (I know...strange coincidence that it opens with a quote by Stephen Hawking, but there you go.) My daughter informs me that this book was 'super-popular' about two years back, so I'm doing well to only be trailing her generations' taste by maybe 700 days. It seems people under 20 move through current culture at light speed. Those crazy kids.
My daughter is reading sci-fi because she wants to stay with science...I'm reading sci-fi because I'm into writing it. 'The Fifth Wave' is all about alien invasion, which is cool, whereas 'The Seeds Project Interviews' is future funk (perhaps I've just coined a genre). 'Seeds' is set just beyond the here-and now.
The here-and-now is some past generations' version of sci-fi, for sure, just like it's some future generations' throw-back steam-punk. But don't burst brain cells fretting too much over that.
One of my favorite ways to write sci-fi is to take the present and bend it, just a bit, until my story bridges what is and what-could-be in a way that may or may not be possible. This is definitely the underlying reality of 'Seeds,' but it's not a reality that underlies 'Seeds' sequel. The sequel, which I'm about a third way through, is steamy, sexy, fantastic, brave and so far into the future as to be somewhere else entirely. (Did I mention that another of my favorite ways to write sci-fi is to strip all the rules away?)
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
June 14, 2015
Friday wrap ... on Sunday
So like me, to wrap up on a Sunday. My daughter, of course, finished reading 'How to Speak Brit' days ago. (I've yet to detect even a slight accent in her voice or change to her extensive vocabulary). I, on the other hand, after spending a week lost in 'Wild,' know exactly why I wrote 'Painted Boots.'
If there's one thing in 'Wild' I related to, it was the idea that (a) traumatic events dig violently into our psyches and (b) the result is we sometimes become so owned by the feelings of our inner world that we loose the ability to see, and (c) having lost all perspective, we sink into an abyss of our own making. Been there. Done that. Cheryl puts it best: "The wanting [to change the thing that cannot be changed] was a wilderness and I had to find my own way out of the woods."
I've seen the movie 'Wild,' (I saw it before I read the book) and it was great. The book is much, much better--it gives you a clear view into the workings of Cheryl Strayed's heart and if you're lucky, into the workings of your own. I found I could relate not only to her floundering but to the way she found her way out. Her story was, simply, empowering.
My favorite line actually came from the character Lou, who applauded Cheryl for "telling society and their expectations to go **** themselves." I'm not ordinarily a big fan of the f-word, but I totally get what Lou was saying. For years I have pondered why women, in general, spend their lives blanketed [dare I say smothered?] by expectation. To buck that--even a part of that--takes amazing strength.
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
If there's one thing in 'Wild' I related to, it was the idea that (a) traumatic events dig violently into our psyches and (b) the result is we sometimes become so owned by the feelings of our inner world that we loose the ability to see, and (c) having lost all perspective, we sink into an abyss of our own making. Been there. Done that. Cheryl puts it best: "The wanting [to change the thing that cannot be changed] was a wilderness and I had to find my own way out of the woods."
I've seen the movie 'Wild,' (I saw it before I read the book) and it was great. The book is much, much better--it gives you a clear view into the workings of Cheryl Strayed's heart and if you're lucky, into the workings of your own. I found I could relate not only to her floundering but to the way she found her way out. Her story was, simply, empowering.
My favorite line actually came from the character Lou, who applauded Cheryl for "telling society and their expectations to go **** themselves." I'm not ordinarily a big fan of the f-word, but I totally get what Lou was saying. For years I have pondered why women, in general, spend their lives blanketed [dare I say smothered?] by expectation. To buck that--even a part of that--takes amazing strength.
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
June 9, 2015
BOWS: the Summer 24
So yesterday was a day of insane insanity. No room for blogging from sun-up to moonrise; we're talking hardly time for a shower. Hence, I am posting the first two of the Summer 24 today.
My daughter is going with 'How to Speak Brit,' by Christopher J. Moore. This classy little book offers an un-curtained window into why the Brits are what they are and why they say what they say and maybe, just maybe, why Ewan McGregor chose the song "You there, stand aside!" to accompany his journey in the Long Way Round. Yes I'm a mutt, like most Americans, but I do have a healthy dose of Brit in my genealogy. When my daughter finishes up I just might read this book myself.
This week I'm going with 'Wild,' by Cheryl Strayed. It's raw, no doubt, and I say this from a somewhat educated POV, seeing as I saw the movie. But there's something about Cheryl's gritty descent into the abyss that most women, myself included, can relate to. After all, I've had a messy, flawed, less-than-perfect mistake-riddled life. I'm assuming Cheryl holds out lessons to be learned...if one is willing.
Until Friday then, people of Goodreads. Read on.
M
My daughter is going with 'How to Speak Brit,' by Christopher J. Moore. This classy little book offers an un-curtained window into why the Brits are what they are and why they say what they say and maybe, just maybe, why Ewan McGregor chose the song "You there, stand aside!" to accompany his journey in the Long Way Round. Yes I'm a mutt, like most Americans, but I do have a healthy dose of Brit in my genealogy. When my daughter finishes up I just might read this book myself.
This week I'm going with 'Wild,' by Cheryl Strayed. It's raw, no doubt, and I say this from a somewhat educated POV, seeing as I saw the movie. But there's something about Cheryl's gritty descent into the abyss that most women, myself included, can relate to. After all, I've had a messy, flawed, less-than-perfect mistake-riddled life. I'm assuming Cheryl holds out lessons to be learned...if one is willing.
Until Friday then, people of Goodreads. Read on.
M
June 6, 2015
Friday wrap...on Saturday
Wow, people of Goodreads.
I'll admit here and now that Georgia O'Keeffe has long been one of my favorite 'famous' people. Visiting Ghost Ranch is on my bucket-list (to be checked off this December...whoo hoo!) I've admired Georgia's story and what I knew of her seriously independent life for as long as I can remember. [And at this point in my life, I can remember a dang long time.] I thought I knew a lot about Georgia, but after reading 'How Georgia Became O'Keeffe' I feel I've come to know her in a whole new way. And it's incredible.
I LOVE how I think differently about life, and about my own goals and dreams, after reading this book. Karen Karbo does a great job of laying Georgia's strengths and weaknesses on the line and then making sense of them. Georgia's struggle for a self-determined life is inspiring and timely--and amazing when put in the context of what she accomplished and the trials she rose above.
The quotables in this book are endless, but here's one necessary to any artist's survival:
"Flattery and criticism go down the same drain."
*Sigh* SO fabulous.
'How Georgia Became O'Keeffe' is a great read...a quick read...and one I highly recommend!
Read on,
M
P.S. This summer my daughter and I agreed to a 12-BOOK-CHALLENGE: we're each going to read 12 books between now and when school starts in August. Join us on Monday for the unveiling of the first two books. It should be grand!
I'll admit here and now that Georgia O'Keeffe has long been one of my favorite 'famous' people. Visiting Ghost Ranch is on my bucket-list (to be checked off this December...whoo hoo!) I've admired Georgia's story and what I knew of her seriously independent life for as long as I can remember. [And at this point in my life, I can remember a dang long time.] I thought I knew a lot about Georgia, but after reading 'How Georgia Became O'Keeffe' I feel I've come to know her in a whole new way. And it's incredible.
I LOVE how I think differently about life, and about my own goals and dreams, after reading this book. Karen Karbo does a great job of laying Georgia's strengths and weaknesses on the line and then making sense of them. Georgia's struggle for a self-determined life is inspiring and timely--and amazing when put in the context of what she accomplished and the trials she rose above.
The quotables in this book are endless, but here's one necessary to any artist's survival:
"Flattery and criticism go down the same drain."
*Sigh* SO fabulous.
'How Georgia Became O'Keeffe' is a great read...a quick read...and one I highly recommend!
Read on,
M
P.S. This summer my daughter and I agreed to a 12-BOOK-CHALLENGE: we're each going to read 12 books between now and when school starts in August. Join us on Monday for the unveiling of the first two books. It should be grand!
June 2, 2015
The Giveaway is Open!
The Seeds Project Giveaway is open until July 15! If you love sci-fi or you're just looking for something different, enter to win. Whoo-hoo!
May 31, 2015
BOW: How Georgia Became O'Keeffe
Hola all,
It's taking a bit longer for my give-away to be approved than the last time I gave away...perhaps there are lots of books in the queue.
A boon for Goodreads readers.
So I found the strength to choose another BOW [that last one about did me in]. 'How Georgia Became O'Keefe,' by Karen Karbo, should be just right for my current frame of mind. The title to chapter one, after, all, is DEFY.
"I don't see why we ever think of what others think of what we do--isn't it enough just to express yourself." -- Georgia O'Keeffe
It's taking a bit longer for my give-away to be approved than the last time I gave away...perhaps there are lots of books in the queue.
A boon for Goodreads readers.
So I found the strength to choose another BOW [that last one about did me in]. 'How Georgia Became O'Keefe,' by Karen Karbo, should be just right for my current frame of mind. The title to chapter one, after, all, is DEFY.
"I don't see why we ever think of what others think of what we do--isn't it enough just to express yourself." -- Georgia O'Keeffe
May 25, 2015
News!
I've got 'The Seeds Project Interviews' posted on my Goodreads page...now to sign up for the giveaway! I do so love a good give-away....
And while we wait for the give-away to post, a deep thought. I love deep thoughts even more than I love a good give-away (unless I win said give-away :-)
I seriously love the thought I'm about to post, BTW. Like all truly excellent deep thoughts, it speaks volumes.
"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."
--Desmond Tutu
And while we wait for the give-away to post, a deep thought. I love deep thoughts even more than I love a good give-away (unless I win said give-away :-)
I seriously love the thought I'm about to post, BTW. Like all truly excellent deep thoughts, it speaks volumes.
"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."
--Desmond Tutu
