Honors and Awards--Again!

Spring seems to be honors and awards time for many organizaations, associations, and volunteer groups. At least four of us here at The Clare have received awards this spring, and there may be more.

This year, I was again surprised and honored to receive awards in the Illinois Woman's Press Association's Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest. Multiple awards were presented at a luncheon yesterday at the Union League Club. I had been notified that I was a winner, but I was expecting not much more than honorable mention this year; I did less writing than usual in 2008.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive two firsts and one second on my three entrees. Lightening struck a third time when my third book, Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters won first in the "Creative Verse: Book or Chapbook of Poetry" category. The other two won firsts in other categories in 2007 and 2008. So now I'm not only a writer; I'm a poet! Now if the literary world would only take note. This book has sold even less well than Reinventing Myself and Seniorwriting. I know of only one person outside my family who has read all three of my books: The Clare's Dining Room Manager. Thanks, Carl. I'm glad I donated a copy of each book to The Clare Library.

Here are the anonymous judge's comments:

"Poet Styne ably summarizes the strengths and joys of her work in the final poem of the tome. Lovely!" (I'm not sure that a 50-some page book qualifies as a tome, but then I am a woman of few words.)

Of course you're not likely to have read or remembered that final poem, so here it is:

My Rictameters

Great art?
No, not these poems
Of mine, and yet if they
Just make you ponder, wonder, think
Or dream, consider your own life or write
A story, draw or paint the truth,
Learn who or what you are,
These poems inspire
Great art.

My other first place award was for "In Defense of Self-Publishing"--Parts I & II" published in my other blog, "Write Your Life!" The category was "Writing for the Web: For Hobby or Special Interest Sites."

The comments on this:

"The author uses the platform well to successfully create an easy-to-read explanation of self-publishing. With clear and focused writing the author put forth good effort in content styling for emphasis, scannability for reading and linking to provide context and additional resources. Excellent potential for more interacftivity through chats or issue focused discussions boards."

You can find these entries here:

http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/08/priorities-choices-and-opportunities-in.html
http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/08/matter-of-choices-in-defense-of-self.html

Finally, my second place award was for two book reviews here on "Never too Late!": "Aging, Life, and Death: A Book Review" (on Where River Turns to Sky, by Gregg Kleiner (Avon 1996; Perennial paperback 2002) and "Realities of Alzheimer's: A Book Review" (on Measure of the Heart: a Father's Alzheimer's, a Daughter's Return, by Mary Ellen Geist (Springboard 2008). Find these reviews by clicking on the "Book Reviews" label toward the bottom of the sidebar. The category was "Writing for the Web: Commentary (reviews)."

These may be small-time awards, but they make me feel good. Never underestimate the power of honors and awards to make people--especially elders--feel appreciated.

Copyright 2009 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Why I Write

As anyone who reads either of my blogs knows, I love to write, and both blogs occasionally feature mentions of my three books. So is this about making money? Hardly. My books are self-published (POD) books, and that makes them immediately suspect in some circles. Anyone aware of the current state of publishing will understand.

Anyway, my books are hardly best-sellers, and my blogs are not well-known producers of advertising revenue. So why do I bother writing? I suppose it's partly because I am old and retired and have a lot of free time, but there are other reasons. First, I was overjoyed to discover the power and joy of writing, and I want to share my enthusiasm with my fellow seniors. I've made it my mission to encourage everyone to write his or her life story, not necessarily for the public, but for family and friends. Whatever your wealth or social status, you can leave a legacy of your valuable experiences and memories.

Then there's the matter of recognition. Since I have no children or grandchildren and few relatives, I sometimes feel disconnected from the world. I suspect that's a common feeling for seniors, at least for those of us who live alone. It's easy to wonder whether anyone knows we're still alive.

Yesterday, my email contained a really encouraging acknowledgement that I had reached someone. My online friend, Lydia, of the Writerquake blog, (http://www.writerquake.blogspot.com/), wrote this, in part, about my first book, Reinventing Myself: Memoirs of a Retired Professor (Infinity 2006):

"[It's] an exciting travel adventure, a real love story, a condensed but highly interesting autobiography, the wisdom of a professor, a frank discussion of aging – especially concerning a woman alone – and a frank but vulnerable glance from a breast cancer survivor. [There are] picturesque descriptions of condos and classrooms, a neighborhood bar and long thoughtful walks, quirky cats and the value of poetry and writing, tours on every continent, and the expectations for a final residence, where, any careful reader would assume, a framed needlepoint picture of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage will make its home."

At the risk of sounding egotistical, I'll say, "What a wonderful, well-written summary!" Thanks, Lydia. It's great to be recognized and appreciated. I guess it's the hope of receiving such feedback (or any at all) that keeps me writing. Let me hear from more of you.

To see Lydia's complete message, go to http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/08/gracious-words-of-praise-for-one-of-my.html.

Update, August 12, 2008:

Another blogging friend, Barbara J. Kirby Davis of The Senerity Room, has just reviewed this book. Here is an excerpt:

"I've just finished reading Reinventing Myself, Memoirs of a Retired Professor by Marlys Marshall Styne and LOVED IT!!! Her book was a pleasant surprise--filled with honest accounts of a life well-lived."

For more of Barbara's review, go to http://theserenityroom.blogspot.com/2008/08/reinventing-myself-book-review.html.

Blog News and Statistics

One bit of interesting news and a few statistics:

1. A second favorable review of my little poetry book, Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters just appeared on Pat's Place blog. To read it, go to http://atpatsplace.blogspot.com/2008/07/interesting-book.html.

2. Sometime yesterday, the total number of hits or page views for "Never too Late!" passed 25,000. Since that covers the period beginning September 26, 2006, it's certainly no record. However, that seems like a lot to me for a non-commercial blog. It's gratifying to think about so many people encountering my blog. It gladdens this senior's heart. I guess I find joy in simply things, surely a good trait at my age. As I've said before, blogging is fun!

A New Review of "Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters" is just out. Find it here:

http://www.storycirclebookreviews.org/reviews/expectations.shtml

Another Press Release: "Elder Expectations"

To see the new press release for my poetry book, Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters, go to my other blog, "Write Your Life!"



http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/07/another-press-release-elder.html

Link to the release on PRweb:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/07/prweb1077614.htm

Check Out The New Press Release for "Seniorwriting"

A press release for Seniorwriting: A Brief Guide for Seniors Who Want to Write is just out. For a link to it, and my comments, see my other blog, "Write Your Life!"

http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/07/just-released-press-release-for.html

Blogs, Rictameters, Haikus, Six-Word Memoirs, "Your Week in Three Words," You Tube, Books: The Power of Brevity

Many “What’s the World Coming To?” grouches lament the materialistic rush of our world: no time to write, think, contemplate nature, enjoy life. They have a point. We often expect our news in short sound bites, our books (if we read at all) as quick, easy reads, our food fast. Of course there are many exceptions, but at least in large cities, the hustle and bustle seem to be increasing, while newspaper sales and reading—and attentions spans—are decreasing.

I am reminded of a passage from Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451:

As Captain Beatty explains the origins of the futuristic book-burning society, he says, “Classics cut to fit fifteen-minute radio shows, then cut again to fill a two-minute book column, winding up at last as a ten- or twelve-line dictionary resume. . . . Speed up the film, Montag, quick. . . . Digest-digests, digest-digest-digests. Politics? One column, two sentences, a headline! Then, in midair, all vanishes. Whirl man’s mind around about so fast under the pumping hands of publishers, exploiters, broadcasters that the centrifuge flings off all unnecessary time-wasting thought!”

I prefer to look at the brighter side: I’m talking about the trend toward various brief writing and video forms. At best, they can inspire fledgling writers to go on to longer, better things.

Blogs:

Blogs (web logs or on-line journals) provide the ultimate democratic opportunity for self-expression, usually at no cost, to anyone with computer access. The subject matter can be informative, humorous, controversial, or mundane: anything from useful basic information to political diatribes to accounts of daily activities. Blogs can provide family communication or a way to reach the whole world with one’s thoughts and opinions. Good or bad, blog posts are usually quite short.

Rictameters:

The rictameter is a relatively new nine-line poetry form using syllable counts to maintain its meter. The lines do not rhyme. The syllable count is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and the first and last lines are identical. There are a few variations of the form, too. An on-line search will reveal various examples and explanations. The Gather web site has a Rictameter group. I’ve published what may be the first poetry book to feature rictameters exclusively: Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters (Lulu 2008). You can also find many rictameters on my blog, “Write Your Life!” (http://www.seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/). Great art? No, but it’s fun.

Haikus:

The haiku, a Japanese form, has been called the shortest poetic form with the most rules. I have never fully understood it or had much success in writing it. There are many variations. Here again, do an on-line search for more information.

Six-Word Memoirs:

This idea appeared in a joint Smith Magazine/Twitter book called Not Quite What I was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. It was mentioned on many web sites, and many people have tried writing their own. Mine reads, “Seventy-five, wrinkled, writing, still enjoying life!” See my blog post on the subject at http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-of-those-ideas-i-wish-id-thought-of.html.

ABC Good Morning America Weekend’s “Your Week in Three Words”:

GMA Weekend solicits short videos from watchers of all ages, each featuring a sign or some other representation of three words that describe the week: “Wrote a Book,” “Better than Good,” and “Everything Has Beauty” are three recent, unexceptional ones. Some are more poignant: “Back from Iraq,” showing a wounded soldier surrounded by family. I’m sometimes amazed by the skill of the amateur videographers and the cleverness of the chosen words. This is often brevity at its best.

You Tube:

You Tube has something by and for everyone. Anyone with a video camera can post nearly anything he or she wants, and some videos are amazing and/or amusing. I have never tried to make a video; I prefer words, but the web site is certainly giving everyone a chance at self-expression, usually in brief form.

Books:

Finally, I and many others write relatively short books, and according to my reviewers, that’s not a bad thing. One reviewer of my book Seniorwriting: A Brief Guide for Seniors Who Want to Write wrote in the “Books on Aging” section of the September University website, “Seniorwriting is a non-technical guide to help you decide if you want to begin writing. It is a short, quick read, but full of sage advice predicated on a theme To Discover, To Heal, To Reinvent, and To Share. Ironically short books are much harder to write than long ones and Seniorwriting contains all the elements you need to begin writing.” Another reviewer for Story Circle Network wrote, "Seniorwriting: A Brief Guide for Seniors Who Want to Write lives up to the promise of its title. It is brief: 81 pages. I consider this a good thing. Too many books that purport to help others to write are unnecessarily wordy. This in itself can be discouraging. "

Incidentally, my book Reinventing Myself contains just 135 pages, and Elder Expectations just 56. Perhaps old age shortens the attention span, but I’ve always been a woman of few words.


It’s not my intention to defend the superficial, but it seems to me that there’s something to be said for brevity, especially if such forms encourage everyone to think and write. I am frequently amazed at how much can be said in very few words. As one reviewer says, short is not necessarily easier, but it may seem less daunting for a beginning writer to attempt a blog post or short poem than a full-length novel or autobiography. Brevity is generally not a bad thing in our complex, fast-moving world.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Book Fair Blues from the IWPA Tent

Chicago's Printers Row Book Fair was disrupted not once but twice this past weekend. I was reminded how powerful Mother Nature is. It was not a tragic experience, fortunately, but it was certainly an annoying one. I heaved a sigh each day when I got back home to my recliner.

On Saturday, we could see dark clouds rolling in and out all day, but we hoped for the best. Our materials kept blowing around, and we had to anchor everything. I met interesting people, sold six books (not bad for me, although not profitable), but shortly after four, the rains came (the fair was to last until six). They lasted long enough to send everyone home, and fortunately I was able to catch a ride with a fellow author who lives in my neighborhood. I had traveled to the fair by taxi.

On Sunday, most of us returned (some were there only one day, as planned), and we were joined by a few others. That day looked even more threatening. The sky was dark, and the winds were still blowing strongly. However, the early morning weather forecasts suggested that the rains would hold off until late afternoon or evening (I understand that the predictions changed later).

As the weather got more ominous, most of us began to pack up our books and display materials and get ready to flee if necessary, but we hoped that the storm would blow over quickly, as it had on Saturday. No such luck! Soon after noon, the deluge hit: heavy, nearly horizontal rain and winds that seemed of almost hurricane force. We stayed under our tent until it collapsed, sending tables, chairs, and just about everything flying. Many, or most, of the tents survived, but ours did not.

Being less than young and agile, I grabbed my rolling bag of books and my purse and fled (through running water) to the nearby bus shelter for refuge. Later, some prophet of doom came by and suggested that we get inside a building in case there was a tornado. Soaking wet, I went to the closest building, an unfinished restaurant space next to Hackneys. We had quite a crowd there, all ages and races. Even the small children did not seem to panic; after all, we are all used to Chicago's changeable weather. One of my fellow authors offered me seating space on a large portable cooler, and I accepted. I probably looked as though I were about to collapse.

Eventually, the rain and wind died down. Fortunately, I had a quirky folding umbrella in my purse, and I managed to unfold it and venture out into the light rain. I made my way from our location on Dearborn Street south to Polk and east to State Street, and, wonder of wonders, I soon caught a cab.

By then, I was completely wet, especially my feet, since I had walked through a lot of flowing water. I couldn't wait to get home. I changed my clothes completely and collapsed into my recliner, happy to be home. Fortunately, the few books I had with me were not ruined. Oh yes. I had sold a couple of books that morning.

Some final thoughts:

It appeared to me that people are not buying books--or anything--as freely as they once did. The author who sat next to me on Saturday sold only one of her books. Perhaps it was because hers is an expensive hard cover book. However, another paperback non-fiction author in our booth sold eighteen copies. One seller of inexpensive children's books did well, too.

I was impressed by virtually all the books our IWPA authors had for sale, and I was reminded how difficult it is to make money as a writer. I applaud my fellow authors for trying hard, but for myself, I've never had high expectations. Is that good or bad? I'm not sure, but I am happy to be a relaxed writer. Writing books is fun, but the book promotion process seems very difficult, especially when the weather does not cooperate. Fortunately, I have no large stock of books to worry about.

Will I go back next year? Probably. The fair organizers did a fine job, but Mother Nature did not cooperate.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Elder Expectations is Now Available!

My new book, Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters (Lulu, 2008), is now available at Lulu.com. It has not reached Amazon.com yet, but it will. Here is a brief description: "T.S. Eliot's J. Alfred Prufrock measured out his life with coffee spoons. I've measured mine, or at least part of it, with rictameters. These brief poems tell a bit about what it's like to be old, widowed, and retired in Chicago."

Why a little poetry book? I had fun with this, and it helped to brighten the past winter. You can see a preview and/or order the book from the link on this blog's sidebar (to the right).

Awards and Senior Passions

If you've visited this blog before, you probably know that I am a great believer in the idea that seniors should follow their interests and passions. You also know that my personal passion is writing. I never expected to become a famous, best-selling author, and I have not. But each year, the Illinois Woman's Press Association's annual awards luncheon provides a boost to my morale and my ego.

Yesterday, the awards for 2007 writing were presented at a fabulous luncheon at Chicago's Union League Club. The club's main dining room, with its old-fashioned, traditionally rich decor and its portraits, including one of Abraham Lincoln, is enough to elevate anyone's mood. This year I again received two first-place awards, as well as one second and one honorable mention. I was elated.

My first-place awards were for my second book, Seniorwriting: A Guide for Seniors Who Want to Write (Infinity, 2007) and for one of my eGenerations writing columns, "Sharing Your Experiences, Memories, and Stories." My second place and honorable mention awards were both for earlier posts on this blog: my book review, "Retirement Planning: Looking Beyond the Money," and my post, "On Laundry and 'Going Green." The judges had encouraging things to say about all my entries.

For more about these awards and comments and for links to my writing, go to my writing blog, "Write Your Life!" at http://www.seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/ (or follow the link at the right).

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Amazon Shorts: A New Cure for the Winter Doldrums?

Yesterday, I found myself with nothing I wanted to do, nothing I was especially interested in reading, nothing I wanted to watch on TV. Notice that I used the words "wanted to do": I have quite a collection of books to read, plenty of mind-numbing tasks awaiting me, and stores within walking distance--and the sidewalks even appear to be reasonably clear after the recent snows. I am not exactly housebound.

Anyway, I wanted something new and different. So what did I do? I downloaded five Amazon Shorts, and read and wrote customer reviews of two of them. Never heard of Amazon Shorts? I admit that (to my surprise) I've written two myself and had them accepted recently ("Volunteer" and "Marie's Story"), but this wasn't about my stories. It was about shorrt, quick, and easy immediate gratification. At 49 cents each, that's only $2.45 on my credit card. Each story is about 2,000 to 10,000 words in length, easily read on screen or printed out.

I selected stories from the "Literature and Fiction" group, "Women's Fiction" division. That's where my stories reside, so I cllicked on and read about other stories that appeared to deal with older women, their lives and their problems.

So far, I've read and written very short customer reviews of "Am I Wife or Daughter?" by Brenda Hill and "Merry Christmas, Miss Budge!" by Daphne C. Simkins. I enjoyed both stories. Do they rank with the masterpieces we're all familiar with? Not really, but for enjoyable reading on a cold Saturday afternoon, they were great. I look forward to reading the others today; they now reside on my computer as PDF files.

There are thousands of Amazon Shorts available, in many different genres and categories, fiction and non-fiction, from Business and Investing to Cooking, Food, and Wine to Religion, from Mystery to Romance to Science Fiction. You're sure to find something interesting. Give it a try, and tell me what you think. And how about reading and reviewing my stories?

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=sa_menu_sh2/103-1435355-6091001?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=13993911

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne