Aunt Margie

My almost 102 year old passed away last Monday in Massachusetts. I’ve been traveling every since driven by her spirit.
This morning so was fortunate enough to be invited to speak about her on the radio here in Pioneer Vslley in Northampton. You know oral histories are my specialty. My aunt’s transition brought on a fresh memory
One Ean zFrsncisco Christmas afternoon when I was 12 , I admired the two miniature dolls she received for Christmas. My aunt overheard the discussion and ordered her daughter to give me one of the dolls.
Needless to say, there was much discussion. Our parents soon became engaged pushing aside me and my 10 year old cousin. In the end, my Aunt prevailed. My cousin turned over the roll I no longer wanted.
The Moral: Even when it hurts we must share. Thanks Aunt Margie.
Now do you see why do want to write down all these family stories?

DAUGHTER OF UNION COUNTY

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COMING SOON! A Waltz in Tennessee

If I could sing, I’d tell Etta James to move over and let me have a round or two of At Last.

Yes, it’s been a long time in coming but the saga of Annalaura Welles, husband John, the white farmer who loves her, Alexander McNaughton, and his long, long suffering wife, Eula Mae, begun in Page from a Tennessee Journal, continues in A Waltz in Tennessee.

The readers of the original novel have been tremendous.  Five years after publication, Page is still selling!  There are so many of you out there wondering about Annalaura’s choice.  Which man does she love, John or Alexander?  Where did she decide to settle–Chicago or an unknown town in Illinois where the white farmer would never think to look for the woman he loves and their child, Dolly.

Would you like a hint about Annalaura’s decisions?  Wild horses couldn’t pry it out of me.  Well, maybe one with a lame leg.  Stay tuned.  In a couple of days I’ll post a hint.

A WALTZ in TENNESSEE:  Coming JUNE 2015 on Amazon.

The Best Laid Plans…

September 1, 2011 – September 20, 2012.  Has an author ever said, what a difference a year makes?  If not, let me be the first. 

      Last September I was giddy with excitement about my upcoming trip to France.  I had grand plans to film a video to celebrate the publication of my second AmazonEncore novel, Paris Noire.  Alas, that was not to be.  On September 3, my scheduled departure (September 11, 2011) was forever lost when I fell stepping out of the shower.  I broke my femur–the thigh bone.  After a whole lot of trauma and medical complications, I’m on the mend.  Best of all I’m writing again!

        I’ve got lots to share with one and all like Page from a Tennessee Journal’s succes in Germany.  I promise to get to all that in the next few days.  And, I have not given up on Paris Noire.  Think video.  More on that later.  Thanks, everyone, for bearing with me.

Multi-Cultural Carnival Blog

I just uncovered an upcoming event–a Multi-cultural Carnival submissions blog discussing various aspects of multiculturalism and biracial heritage in America.  Submissions begin April 29th (I think).  Anyone know anything about this blog?  Sounds fascinating.

BOOKS WORTH A LOOK, Part 2

I posted this earlier with no takers.  Still, I think the topic is an important one.  There are writers at all levels up and down the writing scale who long to have someone take a look at their work. 

     While the world of publishing is changing, and more and more unknown writers are being given our chance, at this point we represent only a tiny percentage of all the books out there.

     I started this post because I wanted those authors and their books to have the opportunity of being seen.  A book I’ve read is Matilda’s Song  by JoAnn Smith Ainsworth.  It is a romance and I must admit this is a genre with which I’m not all that familiar.  But for those who enjoy historical romances set in Celtic England, Matilda’s Song is certainly worth a look.  Ms. Ainsworth shines in her attention to detail of that time period.  Give it and others like it a read.

       Okay, let’s hear from other readers.  You must know of a dozen or more smaller press novels out there that are worth a look.

        

LAUNCH DAY & Some Interesting Reviews

It’s here.  Or at least Page From a Tennessee Journal will be launched in a few hours–March 16.   Of course I’m feeling the usual excitement of anticipation for the release of my first book.  But I am just as intrigued by some of the comments I’ve read in my reviews. 

        I’m pleased that all the reviews see my four main characters as three-dimensional.  That’s always gratifying to a writer.  I am most intrigued by the reviewers response to Eula Mae–the white wife of the philandering white farmer, Alex McNaughton.  I am torn between gratification at exposing the plight of the betrayed southern white wife during Jim Crow and the surprise that so many had no idea that these women were forced to suppress their feelings.

          During both slavery and Jim Crow when the “master’ took on a “colored” woman as his mistress, the betrayed wife was required to pretend that no such thing could happen.  This, even when the other woman was ensconsed in the wife’s own home–often separated by just a bedroom wall. 

          While I know that this was not a subject spoken out loud, I did think that most of America had an inkling that such things happened.  I’d like to start a dialogue with readers of Page.

   1)  Were you aware that the white wife was supposed to bury her pain if her husband’s infidelities were with a black woman?

      I’m curious.  Thanks.

Omnivoracious Blog

I’m getting my feet wet in this publishing world, and it feels really good!  I was asked, along with Zetta Elliott, the extremely talented author of A Wish After Midnight, to celebrate Black History month by commenting on the role historical fiction plays in our grasp of     black history.   The questions revolved around:

1.  The import historical fiction has on the American concept of ever-improving race relations in the US.  Does historical fiction support or disrupt?

2.  What do contemporary African American writers owe to our ancestors who cannot speak for themselves? 

3.  What does historical fiction offer the younger African-descended generation?

       Now, I am a woman who’s got lots of thoughts and comments about all of these topics and a bunch more.  I’ve just never had a platform before, and I’m loving it.  You can read my answers, along with Zetta’s at http://www.ominvoracious.com. 

         I am so excited with this opportunity, Zetta and I have posed more questions to one another.  Stay tuned.

http://www.Amazon.com  Francine Thomas Howard.

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