So much for the supposed 24/7 support for which WordPress is famed. I can’t find a number or chat place to call. Nothing live. Just forums. Which I normally use, but this is crazy. Right now I’m typing to you all and I can’t see ANYTHING on my screen except the cursor moving. In a minute I’ll have to select all, and when the words are highlighted , then I can see. Then I’ll try to fix typos. Then I’ll post. Hours on forums, no help that isn’t techno speak. Is there a phone number? A live chat? A human somewhere? Anyone know?
WordPress 2.8 Upgrade Still a Letdown
Written by Josie on June 27th, 2009WordPress UPgrade BreakDOWN
Written by Josie on June 26th, 2009I just did the automatic wordpress upgrade and now my posting window shows only html, won’t allow me to post links or photos or do practically anything else I can usually do! Yesterday I couldn’t reply to comments, but today I mysteriously can. So, it’s off to call tech support. In the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions . . .
Facebook Willies
Written by Josie on June 24th, 2009I recently set up a facebook account. I love the idea of using it to help readers find out more about me and my books. But ultimately I hope folks will visit the blog. It’s all I can do to keep one thing updated! But I recently read an article that 65% of lesbians use facebook (slightly less for gay men, both compared to less than 50% of the heterosexual population). At first this surprised me, but once I thought about it, it made a lot of sense. After all, many folks dare not be open about their sexuality where they live and work for fear of job loss and social troubles. And even if they do dare, it can be hard to make connections with others.
These are things my protagonist Lonnie Squires faces constantly–the fear of having her life go all to hell if she outs herself. The belief as she looks around her that even if she did come out, she’d be the only one. A serious lack of community.
Maybe Lonnie needs to get a facebook account. That could provide plenty of scary stuff for an upcoming book! What would I call it? Faced. Booked. Networked to Death.
Anybody have any ideas about why homosexuals use social networks so much more than straight folks?
Summer Comes A-Stormin’ In
Written by Josie on June 20th, 2009Just a quick update. Managed to complete the first draft of a thirty-four page book proposal last week. A most successful writing extravaganza.
Didn’t get to celebrate much as major storms blew through the midwest and flooded my employer, my church, but not my house. For which I am grateful, because many of my colleagues and friends had a lot of water in their basements.
Clean-up made it a frantic day in my household. I have so much to catch up on. More later.
Writing Extravaganza
Written by Josie on June 15th, 2009This week I’ve hooked up with a group of writers with one shared goal: to write for 30 hours between Monday morning and Friday dinner. That may not sound like a lot, but that’s on top of “real life.” We aren’t a writing group, in that we aren’t sharing any of our work with each other, though that’s not prohibited. We’re just getting together to keep each other at the keyboard and off of email and the phone. I think it will be good. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’ll be working on some nonfiction, stuff I’ve had in my head that wants to be put on paper.
Everything Puttering Along
Written by Josie on June 9th, 2009Just got my first look at the cover for TOASTED!! Super cool! As soon as I get a .jpg version, I’ll post it so you can all WOW over it.
Today I’m doing some final edit checks on the TOASTED manuscript. It’s a gray day outside and I’m also puppy-sitting. So I’ll have plenty of upping and downing from manuscript to potty breaks with the little one. I hope to get a long walk in too, to settle my brain. And of course: hockey game tonight!
How About Those Red Wings?
Written by Josie on June 6th, 2009
Have I mentioned I love hockey?
Used to watch it with my dad all the time.
Before they wore helmets. When they knocked out teeth.
It’s very civilized now, but I still love it.
Astonishing: Octavian Nothing
Written by Josie on June 5th, 2009Thanks to the recommendation of my local friendly librarian (an author’s best friend), I stocked up on terrific young adult novels to read for the next few weeks. I
settled in with The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol 1: The Pox Party figuring to spend the weekend reading it. Instead, I read it through without even getting up from my chair. Only later did I find out it won The National Book Award. Well-deserved.
This book plays with genres and points of view in remarkable ways. Set in Revolutionary War Boston, author M. T. Anderson uses the genres popular in the day to tell this tale. His control of those and of point of view is seamless. You don’t realize how well you’ve been treated as a reader until you’re done with the story and reflect on it.
The book also raises wonderful questions–questions absolutely still alive today–regarding freedom, liberty, selling the rights of a marginalized group for political gain, rationality, education, and the dignity of human beings. Everyone should read it. I’m surprised it’s classified as a “young adult” book; it felt as adult as anything I’ve read. There’s much for me to learn from it as a citizen, as someone concerned with justice, and as an author.
I think I’ll read it again before I have to return it. And get Volume II on my wish list as well!
Re-entry After NYC and Lammies
Written by Josie on June 1st, 2009Finally getting settled back in at home. Though “settled” is relative, I guess, since there are still half-filled suitcases in the house and laundry to be done and mail to be sorted . . . and on and on.
I’ve been greeted with such wonderful emails from so many friends and readers since the award and I’m so incredibly grateful for everyone’s support. These celebrations–starting with the one Bella had the night of the awards and still going on with contacts from friends I haven’t talked to in a very LOOOOOOONG time–have been as fabulous as the award itself!
Here’s a photo of the awards that Karin Kallmaker and I won! Thanks to K.G. MacGregor for loaning us her black leather coat as a backdrop–clear awards are very hard to photograph!
- Josie Gordon’s and Karin Kallmaker’s Awards
New York City Day Three Lambda Report
Written by Josie on May 29th, 2009
Here’s a shot from the screen when it was announced!
It was a great evening even before this announcement. Bella author Karin Kallmaker won two awards–it was a great night for Bella.
Bonus: the award for best mystery was presented by none other than Kate Clinton, so I got to meet her (or at least hug her and say thanks).
Double bonus, the incomparable Mark Doty, who has been a great inspiration to me for years because of the beauty of his writing, also won a Lambda for poetry, and it was a huge honor for me to follow him to the podium.
Triple bonus: I have to admit, I found the clutch to be most serviceable for the evening. Thanks to YOSista for loaning it to me.
