Tiah Beautement's Blog, page 104

On marriage and deportation

I was almost deported today. Or so they threatened. Nor am I married. Or at least my husband is still allowed to marry somebody else while in South Africa. Confused? We went to Home Affairs, today. Friday, not Monday like they wanted. Apparently they were not there Monday or Tuesday, but we’d been verbally threatened last Friday if we didn’t come back on Monday. We didn't show up on Monday because I needed to get some more paperwork. They decided – after four and half years – that my medical and radiology reports were not on a new form and...

On marraige and deportation

I was almost deported today. Or so they threatened. Nor am I married. Or at least my husband is still allowed to marry somebody else while in South Africa. Confused? We went to Home Affairs, today. Friday, not Monday like they wanted. Apparently they were not there Monday or Tuesday, but we’d been verbally threatened last Friday if we didn’t come back on Monday. We didn't show up on Monday because I needed to get some more paperwork. They decided – after four and half years – that my medical and radiology reports were not on a new form and...

On Eve Green

Susan Fletcher, Eve Green - Fear is the price we pay for love. That’s the deal. – - She kept tissues up her sleeve, so that when she produced them to dab her nose or wipe my face they smelt of her hand cream – warm and lemony, like sponge cake. – - As I hovered by the door all I knew was that men weren’t designed for crying. It didn’t suit them. They were made, I decided, for other things. – - No one calls me Evie any more. The name has been packed in a box and stored...

On writing silence

Today I went to two classes and we discussed writing silence. I got the idea from Kathleen Norris. And in a tiny town in western North Dakota a little girl offered a gem of spiritual wisdom that I find myself returning to when my life becomes too noisy and distractions overwhelm me: “Silence reminds me to take my soul with me wherever I go.” - Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace - But today, however, when I announced to the children there topic was 'The Sound of Silence,' I used the following example: Songs are stories, too, along with letters, newspaper articles,...

On the gender of writing

I wondered about that, if that might be true, if women get treated differently in the way that their covers are marketed. You know, it’s possible. To me, it was a little bit … I didn’t really know why Jodi Picoult is complaining. She’s a huge best-seller and everyone reads her books, and she doesn’t seem starved for attention, in my mind — so I was surprised that she would be the one belly-aching. There’s plenty of extremely worthy novelists who are getting very little attention. I think they have more right to complain. And it usually has nothing to...

On The Spoon Theory

I give a piece of myself, in every sense of the word when I do anything. It has become an inside joke. I have become famous for saying to people jokingly that they should feel special when I spend time with them, because they have one of my “spoons”. - Christine Miserandino, The Spoon Theory -

On editing

When we tell someone their manuscript needs work, they often believe it entails shuffling a few words around and looking for typos. I inwardly shake my head and wonder how people can be so blind. . . - Jo-Anne Richards, We need more words for edit -

On Two Old Women

Velma Wallis, Two Old Women - So I say if we are going to die, my friend, let us die trying, not sitting. – - Each step brings us closer to where we are going. – - One of the rules they had been taught was that if you set snares for animals you must check them regularly. Neglecting your snareline brought bad luck. - - In hard times, some grow meaner than wolves, and others grow scared and weak... –

On Contracts

When a publisher hands you your first contract it can be a heady experience. You are finally going to have a published book with your name on the cover. You are over the moon and so thankful to the publisher who is giving you your chance finally. You look at the thick document and you’re positive the publisher has your best interests at heart, she’s been so lovely throughout the whole process, and there really is no reason to waste your time reading all of the fine print. So you sign and initial and date and you get your copy...

On The Devil's Chimney

Anne Landsman, The Devil's Chimney - The first thing you have to learn with ostriches is patience. – - He was like a bruise inside her, something soft and purple and aching and she wanted him to come back. – - The meths is still looking at me. The spirits drinkers pour it through a loaf of a white bread to get the blue out. Then they drink it. The meths eats them from the inside out. - - He says I’m living inside someone else’s skin. Someone else’s dead skin. So what. My skin is too tight anyway. –