Carole Geithner's Blog, page 3

Adventures in Japanese Translation

I am nearing the end of my trip to Japan where I got to meet with my wonderful translator, Yoriko, the editor, and the publisher for the forthcoming Japanese edition of If Only. Hayakawa Publishing has an incredible list of authors, including Agatha Christie, Edward Albee, Arthur Miller, Cormac McCarthy, and Markus Zusak, and I am deeply honored to be included on their list. I learned that many Japanese publishing companies are still family-owned and run, in contrast to the current U.S. publishing business. We talked about what might work for cover art and a title, and we had a chance to talk through some of the fascinating and sometimes funny translation challenges. Many of them revolved around cultural differences in humor and foods. The scenes from my book that take place in Japan were inspired by the two years I lived in Tokyo more than twenty years ago. This visit rekindled so many memories of the adventures I had on a daily basis, including the sometimes hilarious, sometimes stressful word charades as I attempted to communicate. Fortunately, a little bit of the basic vocabulary I labored to learn back then came bubbling back from the deep recesses of my brain. Tokyo has many new buildings that have changed the landscape, so it's been exciting when I could actually find some of the old ones. For example, the famous meeting place in Roppongi, The Almond Coffee Shop, is still there, but the gigantic pink sign on the sidewalk that guided so many people (including Corinna and her dad), is gone. Instead, you have to look up to see the much smaller bright pink awnings and signs. I'm already looking forward to my next trip!

Grieving a Goldfinch and a Parent

Donna Tartt’s fantastic new novel, The Goldfinch, tells the captivating life story of Theo, whose mother died when he was 13. In Theo’s words, “It was all a circle back to her,” though I won’t take the risk of spoiling this fabulous tale’s fast-paced mystery and “can’t stop reading” tension. As a grief counselor, I was struck by how Theo goes through life feeling, like so many grieving children and teens do, like he is somehow responsible for what went wrong. Of course, this kind of magical thinking is not limited to children. Adults who are trying to make sense of the unthinkable engage in it, too, asking themselves what they could have done to prevent a death, or what they can do to quench their longing by fantasizing about a reunion. Memories sweep Theo’s mind and body, with sounds, smells, and tastes evoking the treasured past. Theo finds some solace in his friendship with a peer who also lost a parent at a young age. Together, they seek numbness and distraction from their pain, in ways that may make many readers cringe. The Goldfinch story is a searing, poetic, and thoroughly absorbing search for meaning in life. It is also a beautiful demonstration of the healing power of words written by a boy in desperate search of his lost loves.

Creating Spaces for Difficult Conversations

I had the honor of being the Grand Rounds presenter to the multidisciplinary team at UNC's Comprehensive Cancer Support Program last month, where I shared my experience bringing a new novel about children’s grief into a world that doesn’t like to talk about death.

Mother-Daughter Book Clubs

Recently, I made an author visit with a mother-daughter book club. From what I witnessed and the feedback I received afterward, the discussion among the girls and with their mothers was really meaningful and rich. My own daughter and I never were in a book club together but we do discuss a lot of books. My son and I were in a mother-son book club for two years. It was a challenge to keep the moms quiet enough to make room for the more reticent boys, but I will never forget the adventure and survival books we read together and the book-themed snacks that were devoured. Wouldn't it be great if more families could enjoy the benefits of discussing books across generations?

Bookgirl.tv Author Interview

Check out www.bookgirl.tv/carole-geithner-autho... and many other lively and interesting interviews with women authors on bookgirl.tv!

Starting a teen book club by and for teens, featuring IF ONLY

What fun to discover this adorable Youtube video made by Kiley, a sixth grader, about starting an online book club by and for teens, the importance of cover art, and the novel IF ONLY by Carole Geithner!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQxSc0...

Gilda's Club Teen Essay Contest for Teens Impacted by Cancer

Check out the 2013 winning essays written by teens who have been impacted by cancer. “It’s Always Something Teen Essay Contest” is sponsored by Gilda's Club of Westchester (NY).

2013 Teen Essay Contest winners:

1st Place – Kathleen F.
“For Jeanne-Marie with Love”
http://www.gildasclubwestchester.org/...

2nd Place – Adam S.
“It’s Always Something”
http://www.gildasclubwestchester.org/...

3rd Place – Julia F.
“We’re Gonna Make It”
http://www.gildasclubwestchester.org/...

"Gilda’s Club is a free cancer support community that offers emotional and social support to anyone impacted by cancer in any way [with] an extensive program for children and teens who have a family member or friend living with cancer, have experienced the death of someone close to them from cancer, or have cancer themselves. This program includes support groups, social activities, classes, and workshops for children, teens, and/or the whole family."

Recently, I had the honor and very moving experience of being one of the judges for Gilda's Club of Westchester's annual writing contest for teens who have been impacted by cancer in any way.

The writing contest is open to high school students in Westchester, Rockland, and lower Fairfield counties.

Voices of Now: Watch this amazing video of an original piece written and performed by DC teens about their experiences with grief.

http://vimeo.com/66760952

Present Tense: Young Voices Describe Their Painful Encounters with Grief

Produced in partnership with The Wendt Center for Loss and Arena Stage, "Present Tense" powerfully and effectively demonstrates how the arts can be a healing force.

23 minutes that viewers and performers will never forget. I won't. The live performance was breathtaking.

A Book and A Hug

People often ask me for suggestions of books for different kinds of readers on various topics. I just discovered a fabulous resource for finding just the right book for the right reader on just about any topic: www.abookandahug.com
And while you're there, check out their review of IF ONLY!
http://www.abookandahug.com/realistic...

Do the Write Thing to End Youth Violence

I wanted to check back with this wonderful program I was involved with last year and discovered that their website now includes two minute recordings of winning essays written and recorded by past winners of this teen writing contest that focusses on reducing youth violence. They are well worth listening to!

http://www.dtwt.org/multimedia/radio-...

"The Do the Write Thing Challenge gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives."

"The DtWT program also educates adults about the causes of youth violence. Local community groups promote the program at the grassroots level so that teachers, school administrators, parents, coaches, and young people can bring youth violence into the open, where it can be examined and talked about in a constructive way. When students accept the Challenge, they become messengers for their own thoughts and ideas, which are ultimately more powerful than violence."

DTWT is an initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence