S.M. Stevens's Blog, page 18

HAHG “Fan Mail”

I hope everyone had a peaceful and restful Fourth of July weekend. I myself had a great time with my family and some socially distant friends. (Early on in the coronavirus epidemic someone–possibly the governor of California–said “socially distant” is the wrong term. “Physically distant” is better because you can still be sociable from six feet apart. I agree!)

A fan sent in this photo of her reading Horseshoes and Hand Grenades at the beach. LOVE THIS!!

In fact, I love it for two reasons: First, it’s awesome to see people reading my novel and taking the time to let me know. Second, notice that the woman is practicing social distance at the beach! More proof that the Fourth of July and other summer events can be enjoyed in the midst of COVID-19.

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HAHG’s “Very Powerful Message”

Thanks to Mariah E. for this lovely 5-star review of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades on Amazon and goodreads:

“Horseshoes and Hand Grenades tells the story of overcoming abuse, friendship, and understanding. This story represents a lot to me as a woman. Dealing with sexual abuse is always hard, especially when reading about it. However, Stevens does a great job of diving into the trauma of these characters and helping them overcome said traumas and stand up for themselves.

“The friendship between these women is also beautiful to see and something that is essential. Overall, I truly enjoyed the book.”

I’d also like to thank all the others who have recently rated or reviewed the novel on goodreads. Know that every single one is appreciated!

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What Audre Lorde Said

Like many of my fellow white people, I am undergoing a serious education about what it’s like to be black in America today. I am wondering what we can do, as individuals and as a society, to finally eradicate racism (to the extent that that is possible; I believe that even if 99% of US citizens agree that all people should be treated the same, there will always be that damaged 1% either born or made to be racist, misogynist, homophobic and so on).

I wrote in an earlier post that racism is white people’s collective crime and it requires a collective response or solution. But what exactly do we do to contribute to the solution?

There is no shortage of websites, blogs, social media accounts, magazine articles and books to give us ideas. Make donations, follow social media accounts, read books, sign petitions, contact elected officials and listen, for starters.

One of the books I’ve chosen to read is Sister Outsider, essays and speeches by Audre Lorde. And what do you know? Her words provide inspiration and guidance on the exact topic of what people can do. She addresses the Black community, the Women community and the Lesbian community throughout her writings, but they apply to all disenfranchised audiences and to those of us unwillingly in the oppressor bucket.

Witness:

“Revolution is not a one-time event. It is becoming always vigilant for the smallest opportunity to make a genuine change in established, outgrown responses; for instance, it is learning to address each other’s difference with respect….

“To refuse to participate in the shaping of our future is to give it up. Do not be misled into passivity either by false security (they don’t mean me) or by despair (there’s nothing we can do).” — from “Learning from the 60s”

I love that particular quote because it addresses how change must occur at the most basic, interpersonal level as well as at the high-level systematic level.

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This incredibly passionate and articulate woman died in 1992 but her words remain on fire today. I’m reading for the dual purpose of better understanding the black experience while also researching my next novel. Every essay I read by Lorde delivers numerous truths that could have been written this month instead of in the 1980s. (And that in itself is a sad commentary on how little progress we’ve made.)

“Difference is that raw and powerful connection from which our personal power is forged….we have been taught either to ignore our differences, or to view them as causes for separation and suspicion rather than as forces for change…community must not mean a shedding of our differences, nor the pathetic pretense that these differences do not exist.” — from “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House”

I could go on forever but instead, I recommend reading Sister Outsider for yourself. And regardless of whether or not you read it, get involved in Black Lives Matter. Make donations (scroll down on this page from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah for links to some organizations you can support), sign petitions, joins groups, follow activists on social media. Talk to people. Listen. But please, do something.

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Review from Chicklit Club

And now for some regularly scheduled book news, and a brief respite from the troubles in the world right now, I’m thrilled to share a new review of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, from the lovely women at Chicklit Club.

Here are some excerpts from the review. You can read the full review including more plot description here.

“This was a very thought-provoking book. Given that it was set in the 1980s, it highlighted a lot of the challenges and obstacles women have had to face in the male-dominated business world. The author dealt with a lot of dark themes: incest, sexual abuse, degradation, and the devastating repercussions of them. Both women have really suffered but what I admired about them is rather than let their experiences overwhelm them, they fought back and ultimately, came out stronger. The fact that they felt they would not be believed or even heard was upsetting for me to read but the characters seemed to draw on inner resolve and even though felt like giving up, they never did.

“The story was very empowering, especially to females. The friendships forged and the women characters drawn were positive role models and showed the beauty of female solidarity.

“I enjoyed this book immensely – it was an insightful, compelling and well-written tale of a time in the past, showing the strength of the female psyche and how women have fought to make their mark on the world.

“Very engaging and inspiring.“

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Black Lives Matter

I have officially stopped posting funny coronavirus images for Fun Photo Fridays because an even more critical crisis than the global COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping our nation: Black Lives Matter. Some might feel the two emergencies deserve the same weight on the list of issues facing us today. But to me, nothing surpasses treating each other as equals and as human beings when it comes to the values of the U.S. and humankind. How can we possibly band together to battle an unseen enemy like the coronavirus successfully when we are already battling with ourselves?

If you are in the minority of Americans who think the Black Lives Matter movement is not necessary, or perhaps overkill, then I invite you to stop following my blog or social media—whichever platform got you to this post.

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If you count yourself among those horrified by the everpresent, increasingly visible lack of fundamental fairness in our society, please still read, listen to, watch and repeat the truths coming from black Americans at the forefront and in the background of the BLM discourse. You are bound to be further enlightened. At least that’s what I found.

Racism is one of the themes of the novel I started work on about eight weeks ago. That does not make me prescient, merely a decent observer. I wish with all my heart that I wasn’t being handed new ideas for material on an hourly basis in the form of incidents and crimes that make me ashamed to be a white American. I wish instead I was able to rely on historical accounts of ill treatment of our brothers and sisters.

Having said that, the status quo was not acceptable. White Americans like me are more aware of that every day. No matter how many oppressed protest, peacefully or otherwise, nothing will truly change until the oppressors agree that the status quo is wrong, abominable in fact, and is destroying the soul of this country. We can’t blame one person at the top for this. We must blame ourselves. It is our collective guilt. It requires a collective response. Yes, those opposed to ending oppression and relinquishing the power they believe makes them better will remain set in their views. So it’s up to the rest of us to overpower them in the name of justice and equality.

Black Lives Matter.

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Fun Photo Friday: COVID-19 Toilet Paper Edition

Is it too late for a COVID-19 post on toilet paper? Thankfully, it seems the shortage is over and people are no longer hoarding, so TP is now available for all.

Still, the concerns about running out of toilet paper did prompt some of the funniest memes. Here are a few of them. (I also loved a video someone posted on Facebook of stalking a role of the elusive toilet paper species in the woods, but I can’t find that now. If anyone knows where to find that video, please send me a message!)

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Fun Photo Friday: COVID-19 Celebrity Edition

Dark coronavirus-related humor continues…

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Fun Photo Friday: COVID-19 Working At Home Edition

I think these images speak for themselves!

Interview: “The 3 Pillars” Podcast

I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed recently by the delightful Chriselda Barretto for her unique podcast, “The 3 Pillars.” The episode was published on April 29, 2020. Listen to it here, and be prepared for 30 seconds of intense, awesome music in the introduction!

We discussed the actions women are taking after reading Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, the truth behind the stunning artwork on the book’s cover, how online book review bloggers are changing the publishing industry like YouTube changed the music industry, and the future of the world — a tall order!

Chriselda, who lives in Belgium, is what you might call a Renaissance man or, more appropriately, a Renaissance woman. She is an author, poet, podcaster, journalist and public speaker. Here are just a few of her accomplishments:

Educated in Business Administration and Chemistry/MicrobiologyHost of the ART-IS-IN podcast, featuring artist interviews20 years as an Aviation Inflight Safety Training InstructorProfessional modern jazz dancerAuthor of more than 20 books in many genresLife coach and motivational speakerFluent in 5 languages.

If you’re wondering what the 3 Pillars are, here’s the scoop:

Pillar 1 is Aviation, and that series has 13 interviewsPillar 2 is Writing; my interview is #8 and the most recentPillar 3 will cover Self-Help topics.

It’s a bizarre combination but with her blend of knowledge and enthuasism, she makes it work!

Learn more about Chriselda’s varied and intriguing background here.

And here is our interview for The 3 Pillars podcast.

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If you prefer, catch it here:

YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastsStitcher

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Fun Photo Friday: COVID-19 Appetites Edition

Gotta have some fun with this whole COVID-19 isolation thing, right? In that spirit, this week’s Fun Photo Friday continues my new tradition of featuring funny coronavirus-related memes and images.

This week’s theme is Eating & Drinking with the emphasis on Drinking. These are 4 of my favorite funnies related to our appetites for drinking and eating and how they’ve been affected by Stay At Home directives.

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