Where’s the anti-Semitism in Beguiled?
Because journalist Tinky Weisblat questioned in her August review of BEGUILED in the Greenfield Recorder, why I hadn't included any instances of anti-Semitism which was rampant in the early 1900s, I began to question myself. Why not? I grew up in small cities where...
Researching Federal Theater Project (WPA) for Sequel
When I was writing BEGUILED and found a wonderful repository of information at a library in Austin, TX, I was delighted to learn so much about the history of 1920s Jazz Age and the intelligentsia who peopled it. Now I've discovered another library that holds oral...
Event featured BEGUILED at social workers’ book club
Yes, I'm a social worker, but I haven't practiced as such for many decades. Instead, early on I went into private practice as a psychotherapist, then a life and career coach. But, in preparing to meet with a group of social workers in Central Massachusetts last week,...
I’m Writing Sequel to BEGUILED
The sequel,suggested by so many of my readers, in in the works. I began it on Xmas day as I was waiting for my new recipe of turkey thighs a la Spanish style to cook. A fantastic recipe, by the way. The new story is told from a first-person narrator: Miriam in her...
My Protagonist Miriam Briefly Lived in the Dakota
If you've read BEGUILED, you'll know that Miriam Levine, protagonist of my historical novel, once lived briefly in the most celebrated residence in NYC - the Dakota. Yes, the very same place that John Lennon was shot on December 8, 1980. It's almost an anniversary...
I Want To Start to Write a New Story
What does one do, when life intrudes to disrupt one's creative energies? I've had an idea for how to proceed with a sequel to BEGUILED. But, my life has taken a different turn. I'm in the downsizing, decluttering phase of life. And, boy, that takes a lot of mental...
Taking Margaret Atwood class online – love it.
MasterClass.com has funny, wise Margaret Atwood teaching a series of classes on writing. I didn't realize she loves dystopian stories. But of course, what is A Handmaid's Tale? Although I've never been interested in reading or writing such fantasy stories, she taught...
Sequel to Beguiled or Not?
So many of my readers have asked for a sequel to Beguiled. They don't want to let go of Miriam, who's become a dear friend to them and they can't wait to see what happens to her after what might seem like an abrupt ending of the story. When asked, I have always said:...
Learning to Be an Actor in Beguiled
One of the intriguing parts of doing the historical research and writing for Beguiled was learning about the theater scene in NYC in the 1920s. I'm not a theater buff, nor an actor, but while following Miriam, my protagonist, into her dream world of preparing for the...
Brattleboro VT Literary Festival hosted Beguiled on 10/13-14
Brattleboro, VT, the vibrant literary community that once honored Saul Bellow, hosts the Literary Festival every year. Too late to submit an application to speak at this fabled event, I opted instead to buy a table at the attractive Main Street building, with the...