Earlier this week the Me Too hashtag drew more than twelve million Facebook posts, comments, reactions in twenty-four hours. I was one of them. Thanks to social media, this response has gone viral around the world. Now women worldwide are using the hashtag, #metoo, against sexual harassment. Women are breaking out of their shells and telling their stories. Even one hundred forty female legislators, lobbyists, and political staffers in my state capitol, Sacramento, signed a letter saying sexual harassment is pervasive there. They said, Each of us has endured, or witnessed or worked with women who have experienced some form of dehumanizing behavior by men with power in our workplaces. My first job out of college was at a fashion trade magazine in downtown Los Angeles. I quit after three weeks because of the editor/owner's constant sexual harassment and humiliation. Then I went into the aerospace industry, and though it was little subtler, men still thought they could say … [Read more...]
Q & A about writerly things
Last August I participated in a blog tour sponsored by Orangeberry Book Tours. At the outset they gave me a list of questions to answer that they distributed to their participating bloggers. Here's the list and my answers. I've corrected a couple since some things have changed since August. By the way, Pandora Poikilos, who arranged my tour, is terrific and very supportive. Questions and Answers 1. What is one book everyone should read? Be Here Now by Ram Dass 2. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Peanut butter and blueberries 3. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. My book has much to share with anyone grieving the loss of a loved one or suffering any kind of loss. 4. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? I'm writing an historical novel based on a small aspect of my family's history, yet with a huge plot twist. I also want to have a book of poetry published. I also want to have a CD made … [Read more...]
