Book Signing--Makes Me Sound So Official, Doesn't It?

WELL, I'M NOT EXACTLY official yet but I'm getting close, at least with my own book. And I'm extremely negligent with writing on this blog so if any of you are still tuning in, thank you for your patience. 

Susan Tive, left and Cami Ostman
signing books after the reading. 

Last Tuesday night I was honored to take part in a book reading and signing for Beyond Belief: The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religion. (See sidebar) at the famed Portland, Oregon bookstore, Powell's City of Books. I contributed a piece to this expertly crafted anthology highlighting part of my memoir, a time when I became enmeshed in a cultish setting under a very influential man I call Brock. I read a short snippet, as did editors Susan Tive and Cami Ostman and fellow contributor Pam Helberg. Then we opened it up for questions from the very receptive audience. There was standing room only and as we adjourned, many attendees came up and asked us to sign their book. Several shared that they too were in an extreme religion which just confirms that this is an exceedingly relevant subject. Cami and Susan author a very informative blog for people to come together and share their experiences and receive support and encouragement. Click on the link if you're interested. 

In other news, I'm not far from being a published author! I've been working closely with my editor/publisher and we're on the homestretch. Stay tuned and grab your ear plugs because that happy scream you're about to hear will be me at my most ecstatic. Thank you to each of you for your continued encouragement and support. Major hugs to all of you. 

Here's An Idea

HELLO PEEPS. THANK YOU for your incredibly encouraging words in response to my good news. It really does make my heart sing. A great big hug to each of you. 

I was planning on having a back-cover blurb ready for your critique but I've been too preoccupied with other things and didn't get it finished. My bad. Next time, hopefully.

However, I do have something to share. For all of you who enjoy writing, Cami Ostman, author, editor and all around fabulous person is one of The Chicks of the Red Wheelbarrow Writers, located in Bellingham Washington. On their website they're issuing a challenge for the month of November aka NaNoWriMo*. 

All of the details are on the site so I'll just keep it brief here. It's a Round-Robin Novel Writing project. Thirty writers agree to write one chapter of a thirty-chapter novel. Because Cami was so successful in recruiting writers, she launched a second book.Yours truly contributed Chapter 6 of book 2 on Tuesday, November 6th. Given that I have never attempted fiction, I was leery but had a blast. It was such a powerful learning experience. I got to develop several characters, drop a bombshell and add a little more suspense to a secret. Now does that pique your interest? 

If you want to read the novels click on the link above and then on the tab, "NaNo / Take ONE" or "NaNo / Take TWO."   Then if you're interested in writing a chapter for book 2, email Cami and let her know. She still has a few spots left to fill. Then, please let me know too so I can be sure to read it. 

*NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel-Writing Month and it takes place in the month of November. You can learn about it by clicking on the link. I've never partaken but I hear it's a lot of fun. 

Okay, back to the back-cover blurb. Smiles everyone. 

Book Review: Second Wind

I'VE NEVER STOOD FACE to face with Cami Ostman but we "met" several months ago when I followed up on a lead for a potential writing project. Cami was issuing a call for submissions on women who've experienced extreme religion. Fast forward to now and I'm thrilled to say that Cami liked my essay and it will be published in an anthology due out next spring. I'll post more on this later. 

With a pile of "to read" books stacked on my nightstand, I finally read Cami's fascinating memoir, Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest To Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents (Seal Press, 2010). I'm glad I did. 

I was once a fairly dedicated runner. My most extravagant jaunt took place in the middle of a blue Caribbean ocean as I propelled my then-thin body around the uppermost deck of a Princess cruise ship. But I've got nothing on Cami. 

In 2001, after a failed marriage, Cami began questioning many of the religious beliefs she'd grown up with. Struggling with deep depression, she found that running offered a way for her to clear her head and find her way.

It takes a tremendous amount of physical as well as mental and emotional endurance to run 26 miles. Sore muscles are normal and expected. A marathoner must summon inner strength to override the body's desire to hang it up. Crossing the finish line affirms the runner's tenacity and can't help but build her self esteem.

Not only does the reader go with Cami to seven continents to tackle these tremendous challenges, but we go inside her head to understand what drives her, what hinders her and ultimately what she learns about her life. She calls it a "Vision Quest." 

I liked the way Cami personified her many-faceted psyche. Along the way, we are introduced to the "Bitch," "Inner Wisdom," the "Warrior" and the "Princess." All are vital in helping Cami succeed. And all of us have these same parts of ourselves whether we run marathons, tend a garden, change diapers or help the homeless. You don't need to be a marathoner to "get" Cami's book, to hear the message and apply it inwardly.

Cami has a Facebook page with lots of cool photos of her travels and triumphs. As a licensed therapist, Cami's website and blog reveal her passion for helping others achieve their best as she has so admirably done. You'll like this book.