Every now and then...

You come across a story that renews your faith that the world is not quite as horrendous as we are sometimes led to believe it is. Today I found one that I'd like to share with anyone who might be listening:

Gate A-4

(I've never "reblogged" before, so if it doesn't work as I imagine it should, it will still be worth your "click." I promise!)

Naomi Shihad Nye has written a beautiful story on this page. Of finding a common language, and offering hope. It's something that we can each do everyday. And a common language is more than just words in a mother tongue--it is also finding a place beyond rhetoric or politics or opinions where we hold common ground with another human being who is standing with us in a joint moment of time.

And those people surround us every day, no matter what language they speak.

But I have to admit when I reached Nye's words "Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere," there were tears in my eyes.

No matter how far you travel, bring along a little piece of home, and you'll never be alone.

Maybe it struck me because I've spent the morning writing a memory of an event I never really lived. Working on a scene for my book where the main character is reliving the memory of her husband's funeral, while standing before the grave of a stranger. It is the leaf in her hands that helps to ground her in the moment, pulling her back from a memory that threatens to crush her, and propelling her forward into her life.

Is there a connection between Nye's line and my ramblings here? To me there is. And it lies in our joint moment of time.

This morning I have learned from Nye. I hold her "leaf" in my hands--and I pray it will ground me, but move me forward as well.

Thoughts about piracy (or maybe it's plagiarism)

Tuesday evening, just before I left for the WLA conference, I got a Facebook message from one of my former teachers at TCC. I hadn't heard from her for a while, so I was thrilled to get her message. She was undoubtedly one of my greatest inspirations during my first quarter back in college after a VERY long absence. She is also one of the biggest reasons I felt like I could actually write AND that I want to teach others how to write.

I really love this woman!

But her message was both flattering and confusing. She was congratulating me on getting one of the first essays that I wrote for her class published in a major college English textbook (I don't want to say the name just yet). At first, I had no idea what she was talking about. If I'd been published somewhere, wouldn't I know it? But in spite of my confusion, I was pleased. I'd worked hard on that thing--and doesn't every writer dream  about seeing their words in print? (I certainly do! It's such a validation of your work)

However, after getting home from Victoria last night and getting a first look at the essay and accompanying article in the book, I found myself first  a bit creeped out by the information included in the introduction and bio materials. Then I was irritated--how could they do this? Then, after working really hard to find contact information (beyond a website and mailing address) for the person in charge of "Rights and Permissions," I came across an online form provided as an anti-piracy measure. It was offered to anyone who found a place (either in print or online) where materials that belong to the publisher were published without citation or permission.

Then I got mad.

This company, who is clearly concerned about protecting their intellectual property, somehow took mine and published it without my permission?

Now, since I haven't actually spoken to them yet (they are not making contacting them easy--plus it's a weekend!), I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. It's possible that someone passing themselves off as me did this. Revised as they said I did (I haven't done a side-by-side comparison yet), gathered information about me from the internet, and submitted it in my name--but to what end? What is the point of publishing my stuff behind my back--and in my name? There was a suggestion it could have been for money (and I guess that is the most likely reason), but how would doing it in my name get them anything? How would they cash a check?

Do I have more to worry about than just plagiarism?

Anyway, I've filled out the online anti-piracy form, written a letter to the Director of Rights and Permissions, and once it's mailed in the morning I'll sit back to wait.

When (if?) they answer, I'll let you know what they have to say!

A WLA Conference Report

Today was a very interesting day at the Western Literature Association conference—both for the good and the not so good.

I took a walk in the glorious autumn sunshine late this morning, wandering into shops and up and down streets full of people. It was such fun! I can’t remember the last time I traveled alone—probably because I never have—but there is a lovely freedom in doing what you want to do, and not worrying about whether your companion can handle one more bookstore or is ready for lunch yet. My husband, who is my usual travel partner, is wonderful and we tend to like many of the same things. We’ve been so blessed to be able to travel all over the world, and he’s wandered museums and cathedrals and paths leading to waterfalls with me. But he can only handle so many bookstores… so believe me, he’ll be glad he stayed home this time around!

Anyway I went to two great sessions this afternoon—the first on teaching climate change, and the second on eco-critical readings. Both sessions were really well attended—as in, packed to the doors with people sitting on the floor (good thing the fire marshall didn’t make a surprise inspection; the Empress would have failed miserably!) The leader of the workshop was full of great information, and many of the people in the room have taught environmental lit courses and had all sorts of recommendations for both fiction and non-fiction to use in a literature class based around environmental issues. If I ever get a chance to teach, I have a long list of books to use for an environmentally-themed course (and I think that would be so cool!)

One thing, though, did leave a very bad taste in my mouth—well, maybe two things.

The first was a few very snooty comments about Americans and climate change denial. A few people objected and she backed down (this was from a person in the audience, not the speaker), and the second was an elitist academic prig (!) who kept going on about “Jane and Joe Six-pack”—as in anyone who wasn’t educated to “his level” so didn’t hold to his opinions.  Sorry, but the guy's attitude just really bugged me! Now, I have had the pleasure of hanging around academics for the last five and a half years now, and I am thankful to say that before today I have never before run into anyone like him—and I hope I never do again. Most of the professors and scholars I’ve met are lovely human beings who just happen to care passionately about things that the rest of the world is probably not particularly interested in—but they would never look down their noses at someone who hadn’t  gained an advanced degree.  Anyway, it kind of ruined the rest of the presentation for me. Luckily, both of the party-poopers skipped out on the eco-poetry readings, so that was totally enjoyable.

Ok, rant over!

(At the poetry reading, I ran into a woman who was at my reading yesterday and told me again how much she loved it. She  was full of questions about my book project, so of course that made my day—all over again!)

Tomorrow there are two more morning sessions and they promise to be great. Then I have the afternoon to wander the city before boarding the Victoria Clipper to head back home. Monday morning, I’ll be settling in for the last few weeks of my quarter—and whatever lies ahead!

Can't wait!

Greetings from Victoria!

I'm currently in Victoria, BC at the Empress Hotel-- and yes! I am actually staying here. I saw this hotel for the first time in November, 1976, and although my dear husband was horrified by the fact that we saw a bunch of elderly people asleep in the lobby (or possibly dead. It was hard to be sure!), I have wanted to stay here ever since I got a glimpse of the beautiful interiors.

And here I am!

I'm here in Victoria for the Western Literature Association conference, and just this afternoon did my first public reading from my novel " A Continuous Present." I was part of a panel who all shared readings--three of us from novels (one guy actually had his book in hand!), and one from a wonderful book of poetry about her Polish Mennonite family. It was such a great group!

I had a wonderful audience, who actually laughed when I was funny, and was so responsive to the reading. It was a fabulous experience. Several people told me how much they enjoyed the reading-- and clearly I was channeling my childhood storytelling mentor, Carol Jackson, because I was assured I had a wonderful storytelling voice. I do know Carol was on my mind all day as I was practicing the reading!

Now that the presentation is over I can relax and enjoy the rest of the conference. There are several panels on eco-criticism tomorrow, and since I am revising a paper on the topic in hopes of sending it to a journal, I can't wait to hear what they have to say.

But, as I sit here now typing this blogpost, all I can think of is my book. I can't wait to get revisions finished, find a willing publisher and do more readings like today's.

That was so much fun!