How Long Has It Been?
Oh, my goodness! It’s been forever since I’ve spoken with y’all. Okay, about a month but when was the last time I went a month without blogging? The long hiatus means I’ve got a lot to talk about.
First—because I’m sitting in front of the window watching the weather arrive from Arkansas—we have re-established a presence in Memphis. A new condo downtown. Best is this gorgeous view of the river. The sunrises, sunsets. Storms in a vast sky. It’s amazing. I’m also pleased to have transformed a one-bedroom into a place with two queen sleeping areas. I used a queen bed frame 10″ off the ground with a futon mattress tucked beneath a set of shelves. So it looks like a reading nook. I like nooks.
Novel News
I’ve also got writing news: the Killer Nashville Fiction Contest named IN THE NAME OF MISSISSIPPI a Finalist in the Mainstream/Commercial category. The contest will announce winners at the end of this month. I revised my query and received a request for pages in quick-zip turnaround. The new query opens:
I’m a sixth generation Mississippian whose prominent ancestors were intimately involved in the state’s racist past. Now, I’ve written a novel imagining modern-day reparations for the violence…that is, if well-meaning white folks don’t screw it up first. IN THE NAME OF MISSISSIPPI was recently named a Finalist in the Killer Nashville Fiction Contest, Main/stream/Commercial category
I’ll keep y’all posted, of course.
Contemplative Writing…in Action
Oh, and I want y’all to know about this:
One of the things I like about life is meeting new, rocking people. Alisha is one of them. She’s an active contemplative who uses writing in her practice. We met in the Contemplative Justice group of the School of Contemplative Living. If you’re in the area, consider signing up. I’m so looking forward to it.
Summer Fun
Oh, gosh—what else? We went to Canada! I’m gonna leave y’all with a photo of Lake Louise that I actually took, though you’ll think it’s a staged postcard. Tell me: how did your summer go?
Contemplative Writing Practice, Contemplative Writing Workshop, In the Name of Mississippi, Lake Louise
emma
That is WONDERFUL NEWS about Name of MS!!! Can’t wait to see what happens with that fabulous novel.
novagiant
Thank you! The same week, I got feedback from a contest that HATED it! But I picked through their comments to get ones that made sense and it really did improve it.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Emma, I was logged in as my administrator. WordPress is driving me crazy lately….
Randall Mullins
I am very curious about and eager to see “In the Name of Mississippi”……
I have exchanged emails with Chickasaw novelist and poet, Linda Hogan. Do you know her work?
Blessings,
Randall M.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Wow–Writer in Residence for the Chickasaw Nation. That’s impressive. No, I hadn’t heard of her so I Googled her. How very cool.
ItNoM is about Civil Rights reparations. First novel I wrote, way back in 2004. I’ve been living with it a loooooong time!
Joe Hawes
Good stuff
Fingers crossed 🤞
novagiant
Thank you—I appreciate the support.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Ha, ha–that’s me; I was logged in as my administrator.
Julia coggins
We have missed you!! gogi
novagiant
I’ve missed y’all too. Thinking it had been a while since I heard from you–hi!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Ha, ha. I was logged in as my administrator–but that’s me replying.
Joanne Corey
So much excitement! I’ll be waiting to hear more about your contest, workshop, and all the rest.
I admit that my summer has been an avalanche of too many commitments/complications. Things may calm down after the first week in October. LOL!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
An avalanche, what a perfect description (though, for me, my husband would say I set the rocks in motion myself. 🙂 )
Joanne Corey
I supposed the same can be said for me, although, in my defense, most of these things I was volunteered for and were supposed to be just a couple of hours a month. Has not turned out that way!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
“I was volunteered for” 🙂
Joanne Corey
Even knowing me largely through our blogs, you are probably not surprised to learn that I have trouble saying no to a good cause, even when I probably should out of deference to my time, other obligations, and energy level.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
You’re right! ❤️
Janet Sever
Glad you’re back in town! Great news on the novel.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thank you! So good to hear from you. We’ll have to catch up, over coffee, perhaps?
Janet
Would love to! I think you still have my email.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Yes, I look forward to it.