Disqus - Latest Comments for jessicaK

Re: “Cycling, Writing, Walking — and Living in the Right City.”

jessicakeener — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:09:47 -0000

Wonderful questions. I'm new to your blog, Gretchen, but happy to discover it. Thanks. Jessica
http://confessionsofahermit...

Re: litpark » Question of the Month: Renew

jessicakeener — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:03:16 -0000

Yes to all. Robin, your creative burst inspired me in a huge way. I think about how you broke through, and how I was privileged to witness that, and be included in it. Even more inspiring is how you've continued to keep going every day. Your new book is going to rock the world!

Re: litpark » Question of the Month: Renew

jessicakeener — Mon, 03 May 2010 09:07:38 -0000

Sue—you continue to inspire me every day. As one of the four on that magical weekend, I can vouch for the power of writers supporting each other. --Not “yessing” each other but pushing each other to dig deeper, face fears and vulnerabilities, and step into regions that are uncomfortable as a way to grow as artists. I can’t wait for the world to read your book. It’s going to take off big time!
Jessica

Re: The Best Out-of-Print Children’s Books - GalleyCat

jessicakeener — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:20:33 -0000

Hurry, Hurry by Edith Thacher Hurd
Pictures by Clement Hurd

Every child needs this easy reader published in 1960 about the advantages of slowing down--

Re: Question of the Month: Title

jessicakeener — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:10:15 -0000

I've had mega-strong reactions to titles as you'll see here: http://confessionsofahermit... --not sure that link will work here but in essence I didn't read one of my favorite novels of all time because I disliked the title: Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson The title still needles me because it plays with all my preconceptions and misconceptions and distorted perceptions about the word itself. Now that I've read the novel (20 years later), I like that the title plays with my discomfort.

But that's not really an answer to your question, is it...

What I mean to say is that titles mean a lot to me but that first page and second page and onward pages might mean more. Much more. I may like a title or love it or adore it or covet it, but when I open the book and start reading, that's when my heart takes over and whatever the title was or is, I won't care.

Titles are like hats, I think. They capture your attention and maybe ask that you turn around and take a second look.

I've just started reading Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. This book has been around a long, long time. It's a classic, yes? Yet, I've never really stopped to think about the title and what it means. Now that I'm reading it, the title is taking on greater and larger meaning with each page. I like that aspect of this title. It has an irony to it that I didn't intuit until I started reading the story.

Again, still not really answering your question.

I recall that someone I know was writing a novel called RISE--that is a title that I love! It's loaded and complex.

I can't wait to hear what your new title is. Whatever it is, it should feel right. When you say it out loud to others, you will know because you'll say it without hesitation, with pride. You'll feel quiet and settled inside.

So good to hear about all your good news over at TNB.

Re: Dylan Landis

jessicakeener — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:38:18 -0000

I'm so late to this but who cares. Dylan, your writing is exquisite. I am buying your book. Susan, given your own writing commitments and busy-ness, I'm glad you've gone ahead and showcased Dylan here!

Re: Monthly Wrap: Lessons from Squaw Valley

jessicakeener — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:45:19 -0000

Wow...........That's all I can say after reading this. What advice. What wisdom. What beauty. Good for you for embracing what you need to do to keep on. And you? You inspire me and surprise me every time you come here and share something about yourself. Thank you so much for that!

Re: Monthly Wrap: Killing the Piano

jessicakeener — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:44:10 -0000

Sue--what an amazing story about snipping the piano keys!For me that would have been unheard of, horrifying and yet I'm also wide-eyed and admiring of your gumption to do what you did. A lot of power in your silent action--a way of silencing those keys, too. The universe has a way of blowing it right back in your face, doesn't it? Wise husband!
Jessica

Re: Naseem Rakha

jessicakeener — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:46:39 -0000

Naseem and Susan, this is a beautiful interview from every direction.

Naseem--what courage to write this. About 4 years ago, I wrote a feature for the B. Globe about a 15-year old who was murdered 15 years ago. The mother's journey and her relationship with the man who may or may not have shot the bullet that killed her son, has continued long after everyone else has abandoned their original quest for truth. Your book is a voice for families who struggle daily, hourly with this pain of a murdered child. As you know, these surviving families are imprisoned in a silence the rest of us can't imagine.

I'm getting your book this week.

Jessica

Re: Question of the Month: Instrument

jessicakeener — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:08:40 -0000

I guess I should clarify--lousy voice meaning my mom could carry a tune but her singing "instrument"--those body components such as throat, vocal chords, bone structure--didn't equal her ability to put her hands and ears and sense of rhythm together to create beautiful piano music.

Re: Question of the Month: Instrument

jessicakeener — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:04:55 -0000

Naseem! Your son sounds amazing. What spirit! As for tone deaf. I'm no expert on this, so you should ask a voice teacher, but I don't think there's a "cure" for tone deafness. I do think lessons can teach a greater awareness of how something sounds. I had a friend who was tone deaf. She took piano lessons to help her with this. I think it helped her a little. She certainly loved music. My husband is the same way. He loves music but is somewhat tone deaf. It doesn't stop him from recording his favorite songs, listening to music, enjoying concerts, etc. and singing in the shower. Does your son have a dream of becoming a singer? There are ways to be part of music and singing without being the singer persay--. Wish I had a better answer for you. I just love your son's exuberance and your compassion.

Re: Question of the Month: Instrument

jessicakeener — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:21:57 -0000

Funny, Ric. I also signed up for band to get out of class--in my case, I signed up for bass drum to escape my deadly 6th grade social studies class.

Re: Question of the Month: Instrument

jessicakeener — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:43:15 -0000

Love this question!

I sang.

I took piano for 3 years (from age 8 to 10), but singing won out. I sang harmonies with my sister—folk tunes and Broadway songs from West Side Story and South Pacific. My mother accompanied us on the piano in the living room. She could play anything and had perfect pitch but a lousy singing voice. I sang at night in my bed when I couldn’t sleep. I sang in the school plays. I was an understudy for Josephine (in Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore). In Junior High—more choral singing, same with college where I performed a choral premiere with the BU chorus at Symphony Hall. I also joined a gospel choir. I was the only white person in the group—a strange, invigorating but uncomfortable experience in the early 1970s. And on summer evenings hanging out on my screened porch in the city, I sang to the night. It didn’t occur to me that entire blocks of apartment dwellers nearby might not want to listen to that girl—whoever she was--blasting out Laura Nyro songs, crooning as loud as she could. Thankfully, no one called the police.

Re: Book Deal!

jessicakeener — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:13:38 -0000

This is the grandest news! I am beyond thrilled for you. And I can't wait to hold your novel in my hands. I've read a bit of it and the writing is so astonishing, moving, delicious and wonderful. What a treat for future readers! And lucky Harper P for snapping up your novel! They got a great catch!

You've worked hard, Susan! Congratulations!

Jessica Keener

Re: Monthly Wrap: More Human than Hero

jessicakeener — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:35:16 -0000

Thank you, Susan. I hope you keep visiting, too. New post up today.
Lance--wishing you a wide readership.

Jessica

Re: Monthly Wrap: More Human than Hero

jessicakeener — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:29:42 -0000

Woah, Susan. Your story...what can I possibly say to this? It knocks the words out of my head. You continue to amaze.

Re: Lance Reynald, author of POP SALVATION

jessicakeener — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:00:52 -0000

Susan--Thanks so much for linking here to my blog: Confessions of A Hermit Crab--I started it for anyone interested in exploring the secrets of home. Next, I'm heading over to comment on your favorite spot.

Congratulations, again, Lance.

Re: Lance Reynald, author of POP SALVATION

jessicakeener — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:08:27 -0000

Another amazing interview. Wow, Lance. I love that you don't see freaks. What a great state of mind. And your wall phase? Incredible. I've got your book on my reading list. Thanks to you, Susan.

Jessica

Re: Attica Locke

jessicakeener — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:10:13 -0000

Attica,
I wrote something to you yesterday but it seems to have disappeared so I'll try again. I wanted to say how much I love your title. Absolutely beautiful, and also to applaud you for seizing your voice and allowing yourself to rise to the surface and be heard. You must feel a certain calm writing the "other" stuff now knowing that you've finally spoken and carved a place for your unique sound. Congratulations. Jessica Keener

Re: Attica Locke

jessicakeener — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:41:07 -0000

That "thing" is the soul--sounds apolcalyptic but that's what I believe. Jessica

Re: Question of the Month: Voice

jessicakeener — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:53:27 -0000

Hi, Susan. Great picture of that tongue!__
When people meet me for the first time, some are surprised by my deep, husky voice. I'm told it's sexy, but the truth is, my voice got husky after I took male hormones to treat a serious illness I had in my twenties. Yeh. MALE HORMONES. I took them for 4 months and got male-like muscles in my arms (they're gone now), but my voice never returned to its original sound. Jessica

Re: Ann Kingman, Bookseller

jessicakeener — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:57:13 -0000

Hi, James.
(Off topic--I emailed you about 10 days ago but wonder if you got it? About Purple Day--Jessica)

Re: Ann Kingman, Bookseller

jessicakeener — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:54:33 -0000

Ann,
Thanks so much for telling us the low down about your job. The sales force –I always wondered what that meant? Was it an alien entity? A magnetic field? You’ve put a face on it, and more than that, you’ve put your heart into what you do. That’s inspiring. So great to see that. I’m a New Englander, so I recognize two of the 3 bookstores—Porters and Trident, pictured here. I’ve read at Porters and had a good meal at Tridents. But the indie bookstore, Brookline Booksmith, is my favorite, and it’s only a mile from my house. One thing I’d like to point out is how easy it is to order any book from an indie store. It won’t take longer than Amazon, and it might take less time. Plus, you have the pleasure of supporting local. Ultimately, though, I’m not one to pick one over the other. I support both because they both sell books.

Thanks, again.

Jessica Keener

Re: Monthly Wrap: How a Book Can Save a Kid

jessicakeener — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:54:19 -0000

Liz Taylor's pixie looks a whole lot better than mine did in this 1950s pixie haircut. Notice the shaggy, ragged bangs and sides. Oh. I get it. My mom wanted me to look like Liz Taylor? I'm adding this link. Not sure it will work.

http://www.hairfinder.com/h...

And not to get off topic, but I think Belle has reignited our childhood memories and the visuals that go along with them. In other words: stories married to pictures. Thanks, Belle!

Jessica

Re: Monthly Wrap: How a Book Can Save a Kid

jessicakeener — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:40:21 -0000

Corrected Purple Day link: www.purpleday.org

Thanks, Caroline.

The Pixie definitely predated everything. We're talking the 1950s. I'll try to find a pix-ture.