Lilian Nattel's Blog, page 19
March 6, 2012
Huff Post: Sex't Up Kids
Here's an excerpt from my blog in Huffington Post Canada:
Already wise and weary at age 15, the teenagers in Sex't Up Kids talked about sending private photos to their boyfriends. They were mortified when those photos of themselves in bra and panties or topless were sent all around the classroom, all around the school, all around the Internet. They just were doing what they'd been taught to do by TV, YouTube, magazines, their friends: "be cute," which has become code for "be sexy," which means show your stuff. And then they'd been shamed for it.
I'd love you to have a look at the whole thing and tell me what you think!
Filed under: Concerning, Literary Tagged: sexualization of children
March 5, 2012
March 4, 2012
February 29, 2012
Chatelaine P. 176 and Loblaws!
I've become a bit of a maniac in the grocery store. It started with the Toronto Sun. I stood at the newspaper stand, flipping through it to find the Star Spaces story about my "decorating," complete with a photo of the mural I painted with M & H. An old man was standing at the stand, too, complaining about the ubiquity of bad news. "Then have a look at this!" I crowed. "It's about me and my new book!"
He smiled and said, in Yiddish, "Zei Gezunt." (Be well.)
I smiled back and said, "A gezunt oif dein kop." (Health on your head.)
Back to the grocery store yesterday to pick up the March issue of Chatelaine, turning to page 176. Yes! A photo of the book cover. A half-page spread with author (OMG that's me!) Q & A. But the thrill wasn't over yet.
There, in Loblaws, was Web of Angels. Right next to all those Grisham-like thrillers, my book! My lovely, difficult, perfect baby.
I grabbed a copy, walked right up to the poor middle-aged woman standing behind the service counter, and held up the book. "See this?" I asked. Then flipped open the cover to show the author photo. "And this? My book is here!"
Filed under: Literary, Personal Tagged: web news
February 28, 2012
February 27, 2012
And the Winner Is…
Me! Because I got to watch the Oscars last night with the 2 most amazing kids in the universe. H stayed up for the first half. (And had trouble getting out of bed this morning. It required several loud Uh Oh's on my part and "your nose has grown to the size of a pumpkin. There are fairies dancing on it.") M went to bed at the very end. (And wanted to know why it's called the Oscars if it's the Academy Awards.)
I actually had seen several of the movies this time around and M had watched Hugo. So that reminds me of how life is changing. But I'm really pleased that The Artist won for best director, best actor, and best picture.
It's the kind of movie that people would scoff at beforehand. In this day and age a black and white silent movie? Oh come on.
As a writer that tickles me no end. And it was completely enjoyable. I just saw it a week ago on a real date with A. Or as much of a date as we get–walking down to the theatre hand in hand (an hour walk), watching the movie, and subway back. For me–that's magic.
And you know what else is magic? That I could turn off the cell phone during the movie and tell my children, "On the off chance you have an emergency while we're watching the movie, go next door to S or to E on the other side or across the street to M & J."
Shelagh Rogers (CBC) said she'd love to live in a neighbourhood like the one in Web of Angels, and asked if my neighbourhood (on which it's based) is really like that.
Yes, it is. And now I'm off to walk off some energy–I have an interview this afternoon!
Filed under: Personal Tagged: Oscars, Writing Life
February 21, 2012
Rising at the Crack of Dawn
I'm not sure why it's called a crack, it's more of a creeping, the sky dark and then less dark, a blush of pink. I know that's a cliche but for a good reason if you think about the makeup brush applied across a cheek. Whereas "crack" makes one think of another sort of cheek and that is not a pretty thought at all. At least not to a middle-aged mom such as myself.
Back to dawn and why I rose before it: my younger child is off on a class ski trip today and was required to be at her school at the ungodly hour of 7:00 am. I am absolutely sure it's ungodly as any sensible sovereign of the universe would be sleeping the sleep of the just, which is why you can observe so much injustice in the world, particularly when it's night.
Since I'm silly headed on lack of sleep, I decided to do something both pleasurable and easy, and prepare for my interview later this week by listening to Shelagh Rogers interview other authors on CBC radio's The Next Chapter. If you click on the link you can hear Ami McKay talk about The Virgin Cures (how her great-grandmother inspired her to write a story about a woman doctor treating child prostitutes in 1870′s NY) or Patrick Dewitt on The Sisters Brothers (why he wrote a western/historical novel though he neither reads nor particularly likes either genre).
Have fun and I'll let you know when my interview airs!
Filed under: Literary, Personal Tagged: Ami McKay, Patrick DeWitt
February 19, 2012
February 17, 2012
Friday Ease
I'm in my usual writing outfit: old grey sweatpants, old green tanktop, and terry bathrobe. But I know that it isn't a writing day. For one thing I'm too revved up for interviews to settle into the interiority that writing requires. And it's a PA day.
Normally I'd be taking my kids out somewhere–we'd planned on the museum. But I'm stuck at home waiting for the carpet cleaners who are due to arrive sometime between 1 and 3. Yes, we have new tenants coming (again). So in the weeks leading up to my pub date, which coincides with the new tenants' arrival, I've had to fit being a landlady in with being a writer and a mom.
When I was 15, I imagined myself as a writer with 4 kids and a husband who'd take an equal part in raising kids. The funny thing is that my dream has come true in essence, though with some modifications–fewer kids, but A cooks and there's the landlady thing. All in all, it's a good deal.
The only significant wrinkle, really, is that menopause presents an additional wardrobe challenge. While planning for interviews and readings, I have to make sure that I've got the right combination of layers. Some of you will know exactly what I mean. For the rest of you, I'll just say: stock up on tank tops.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Filed under: Fun, Personal Tagged: Writing Life
February 15, 2012
Dream Review by Beth Kephart
A close friend of mine who read Beth's review of Web of Angels, said, "She writes like music." It's true–Beth's writing, both in her blog and her books is gorgeous, as truthful and beautiful as Beth's heart. And so I am honoured, heartened, and thrilled by Beth's reflections on my own book:
I was stunned by the opening lines. I thought I knew Lilian Nattel. But new books teach us new things about a writer's powers.
I have never read a book like this one. You haven't either. It's brave, unblinking, categorically generous despite a most heartbreaking subject matter….It's not just the first page of this book that is so beautifully written. It's every page.
Full review here. It's one to treasure.
Filed under: Literary, Personal Tagged: review Web of Angels by Beth Kephart
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