Christa Avampato's Blog, page 95

In the pause: What does Pub Day feel like for authors?

My Pub Day is fast approaching. People have been asking how I’m feeling. Honesty, I’m curious and hopeful. I’m curious to know how her story helps others. My great hope is that she inspires people to live the lives they imagine. She’s brave, powerful, and kind. I hope she makes a difference in the lives of others who get to know her. She’s certainly made a difference in mine.

I’ve lived with Emerson in my heart and mind for 8 years now. She’s a part of my every day living. I’ve protected her, nurtured her, and prepared her as best I can. Next Wednesday, she’ll belong to the world, and she’s ready for that.

On the day the book launches, I’ll begin NaNoWriMo 2017 and write the first draft of Emerson’s second book by the end of November. No rest for the weary, and that’s fine by me. Emerson and I have a lot of ground to cover so we better get moving. We have to make the most of the time we have.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: Combatting loneliness with literature – a lesson for writers and readers

This week, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy talked about the loneliness epidemic. By his estimation, the stress of loneliness is a national health crisis, especially for our young people, and will be a leading cause of disease if we don’t take steps to alleviate it.

We’re hyper connected and surrounded by people and pings all day long. How can we be lonely if we’re not alone? Loneliness and being alone are not the same thing. In my opinion the worst kind of loneliness occurs when you feel it but aren’t actually alone. Loneliness is when we feel that no one understand us. As a child, I felt very lonely. One of the main reasons I wrote my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, is that I want all readers (especially kids) to feel less alone. I want them to know that someone somewhere is rooting for them and believes in their ideas and abilities. Emerson is the friend I needed when I was younger.

Nothing replaces a human presence in our lives though I do believe that books connect us, authors to readers, and readers to readers, across geographies and generations. As authors, they are our contribution to humanity. Books surface issues that matter and help us to walk in one another’s shoes. They help us see points-of-view that we don’t have the experience to see ourselves. They generate understanding, compassion, and empathy. They inspire courage, strength, and the ability to take a chance for something in which we believe. Books are powerful. And as authors, that power isn’t to be wielded lightly. We must work in service of the people who will one day read our words, the people who may one day need a friend and reach for our story.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: We all need books – a lesson for Writers from New Zealand’s Homeless

I’m giving you a tissue warning with this post…

This article from Atlas Obscura piqued my interest, as an author, a community member, and a person who cares deeply about providing inspiration and encouragement for others, particularly to our most vulnerable neighbors.

A library in New Zealand was experiencing a strange circumstance – books would vanish and then reappear. They did a bit of digging and found out what was happening – the homeless who used the library as a place to go during the day would read books and hide them in place where they were unlikely to be found so that they could continue reading them the next day. If that doesn’t make your eyes tear up, I’m not sure what would. I’m happy to report that this library in New Zealand got to work providing new programs for the homeless in response to this situation.

Stories and books matter to all people in all walks of life. They carry us away. They teach us. They help us see the world through a different set of eyes and walk in a different pair of shoes. That kind of escape and discovery is needed by everyone. Writing is a service, and as writers it’s important for us to remember that. It’s a responsibility we can’t take lightly. What we write matters more than we realize.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: Science shows hope is quite a good strategy

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? How it all hurts but we never give up.” ~The Word Virus

New scientific studies show that hope can shield the mind from damage caused by anxiety.

I know the world as of late seems like a discouraging place. I understand that life—work, family, relationships, stress—can take us down a peg (or a 100 pegs) sometimes. It’s important, for our health and the health of our communities, that we keep going. That we work through the hurt, disappointment, and difficulties of every day life. That we continue to pursue the dreams that make us feel alive no matter the degree of our progress toward them. That we keep our minds and hearts open. We never know when it could all turn around. I have hope. And I want you to have hope, too.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: Book trailer for Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters

I’m so excited to share the book trailer I made for my young adult fantasy novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters. Let me know what you think!

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: The book Wishtree by Katherine Applegate is what we all need to read right now

[image error]A story of acceptance and community told from the perspective of a wise 216-year-old northern red oak tree named Red, I read the book Wishtree in one delicious (or is it deciduous) sitting. I laughed, I cried, and I was happy / sad when it was over. This is the book the world needs now more than ever. Pun-filled tree humor provides the laughter than opens the way to understanding that diversity is the key to a healthy, thriving society. Nature knows that. Nature has always known that. And it’s time for us to embrace it, too.

A new Muslim family moves into the neighborhood and faces the ugliest side of human nature. The power of friendship, bravery, and history are woven together in this tale, part magic, part science, and all love. In Applegate’s own words, there is a special kind of power in being able to stand tall and reach deep in all circumstances. Leave it to children’s literature to teach us (adults and children alike) to be the very people we can be.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: I’ll be speaking at MW CARES Day at Monroe-Woodbury High School

I’m so happy to share this wonderful news with you! I’ve been asked to be a speaker at Monroe-Woodbury High School in the Hudson Valley. They are putting together a 3,000-person event called MW CARES Day that includes 2,400 high school students as well as teachers, staff, district leadership, and community officials.

The theme of the day is to promote compassion, acceptance, respect, empowerment, and success throughout the Monroe-Woodbury Community and beyond. I’ll be talking about my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, as well as my upbringing and the journey that led me to where I am today, all for the purpose of breaking the stigma around mental health challenges.

This is exactly the kind of event I’ve been dreaming about doing, and one of the main reason I wrote my book. Keep reaching, friends. It’s worth the effort.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: Walls are made for climbing

[image error]This week, the many different threads at my job started to connect. It’s immensely gratifying to learn a large and complex technology platform, all for the sake of bringing more art, theater, music, and dance to more people. The vertical learning curve is becoming a little less vertical. Or maybe I am just becoming a more adept climber.

This idea of scaling walls reminded me of this sign I saw a few months ago when I was shoulder-deep in my job search, including interviewing for my current job. I wasn’t sure what would happen in my search, or what I would do about what would happen when it did happen. (This is how my ind works. It’s in a constant state of whirring.) What I needed was a sign, so I asked for one as I made my way up Fifth Avenue from the New York Public Library to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. That’s when I saw this sign in the North Face storefront: Walls are meant for climbing. And about 30 minutes later, I heard from my now current job that I was moving on to the next and final round. Less than a week later, they offered me the job.

It’s this sense of optimism, asking the Universe for guidance, and then opening our eyes and ears to take in the wisdom around us that we have to take with us everywhere we go, into every situation that we face. We may not always be successful though our odds dramatically increase when we can look at a wall not as a roadblock, but as a reason to smile. I got this. You got this. We all got this.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: Go on and love yourself

‘i love myself.’

the

quietest.

simplest.

most

powerful.

revolution.

ever.”

―Nayyirah Waheed

This poem is a powerful reminder of the magic that can happen in our lives when we really love who we are. It becomes a way to protect ourselves and also to let others in. When we love who we are, we are imbued with grace and confidence. Nothing can really hurt us if we love who we are. We defend, fight for, and nurture what we love. And here’s the best part: when you become a constant supporter of yourself and your dreams, you have so much more to offer to others.

Filed under: creativity

In the pause: What men can do in the wake of #MeToo

The outpouring of honesty and support in the wake of #MeToo stories is the only light I can see in this darkness. With every post, I am growing even more resolved to help women and girls discover and use their voices to speak their truths. I have also been very grateful for the men in my life who have come forward to say, “I hear you. I see you. I believe you. What can I do to help?” Here are my answers:

Be a role model for young men and boys. Whether you’re a father, uncle, teacher, family friend, or mentor, you have an opportunity to teach young men and boys how to be upstanding people. Use that opportunity wisely.
When you see poor behavior from other men, speak out against it right then and there in the moment. On the street, at work, at bars and restaurants, on the subway. Yes, the problem is that rampant and pervasive. It’s everywhere.
Listen and talk to the women and girls in your lives about their experiences. Be their allies and advocates. They will appreciate your support.
Help to raise our girls and boys to have a zero tolerance policy for violence of any kind—physical, emotional, and verbal.
And if you don’t know what to do or say, ask us. Together, we can break this cycle so women and girls no longer have to live with the scars of sexual harassment and assault.

 

Filed under: creativity