Wednesday, May 8, 2013

We are all one

When I am curious about the weather I tune into the local news. Never fails, the meteorologist tells me he/she's GOING to tell me. SOON. Nothing frustrates me more than those news/weather teases. So, I apologize if I irritated anyone with my preliminary announcement about having big news that I couldn't yet talk about.

One of my personal essays was under consideration by the folks producing the Gloria Gaynor anthology, tentative title, How We Survived. I had to wait to see if my story made the cut. Last night I received the contract. My story will grace the pages of this book. The theme: how Gloria Gaynor's song, "I Will Survive" impacted my life. That song rocked my world in the 80s. I wrote from my heart about that time. I encourage you to also write as though you are sharing with a friend. Connect with your readers, even if you think you have nothing in common.

I learned this lesson a month ago when I walked into the cast meet/greet at Listen to Your Mother St. Louis. Many of the women were attorneys, professionals, community activists. I felt like the oldest, most undereducated and insecure woman there. The moment we shared a brief synopsis about ourselves, I realized that at our core, we are all women with a variety of experiences. If we strip away our titles, ages and pretenses we reveal our sameness, not our differences. One striking difference between my generation and the younger women (20s-40s) is the self-confidence they display compared to me at their ages.

There is still time to buy a ticket for the Saturday performance of Listen to Your Mother, St. Louis. Watch the Brian Williams show (not sure if it is going to be on tonight or Thursday). They filmed the LTYM, Chicago show. You will get some idea of how small a part I am of this big nationwide event. I am blessed.

Sasee Magazine is seeking stories about travel. Deadline 5/15 editor@sasee.com

9 comments:

Susan Sundwall said...

Boy, Linda, you hit a nerve. I, too, am the (seemingly) inferior one in many rooms. I have to fight that silly notion. This post reminds me of what's really, really important. Thank you so much for saying it and congrats on your inclusion in Gloria's book. Bravo!!

jabblog said...

Congratulations:-) It's a good thing our insecurities don't show . . .

Connie said...

Congratulations on your work being accepted for the Gloria Gaynor anthology! That's exciting news! I often have those insecure feelings too. I guess we all do at times.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Congratulations! I think I already woo-hooed on Facebook, but I'm happy to woo-hoo here as well! No doubt that will be a wonderful anthology.

Bookie said...

You are on such a roll, girl! Keep going and congrats all the way.

Merlesworld said...

Congratulations on your success.
I admire anyone who can speak to a room full of people, I don't lack confidence and I think I know the answers to most problems and solutions to everything but if there is more than a few people around I keep it all to myself, large groups frighten me into silence maybe thats a good thing.
Merle.....

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Wonderful news, Linda! Congratulations. :)



Sioux Roslawski said...

Congratulations, Linda. Your publication belt is so notched, isn't it falling apart--it's all holes, right?

Thanks for the Sasee reminder. Perhaps I can get something sent out in the next week.

Chatty Crone said...

Gosh you are in plays - work a full time job - and have been featured in books. You are awesome. Congrats on this latest one. I mean it. sandie