Weekly Reader March 6

My guest for the upcoming Weekly Reader is none other than Geraldo Rivera. He wrote a new book called HIS-PANIC, about the fear Americans have about Hispanic immigration. I was a little intimidated to interview a guy who's had 40 years of interviewing experience, but it went really well.

So there(!) to people who turn down my requests for an interview! I'm offering you 20-25 minutes to talk about nothing but your book. Even Geraldo recognizes this. If Geraldo recognizes this, so should you.

As you can see, I don't really like to let things go. Refer to my Jan. 23 post.

Dog sledding

So it's been more than two weeks since I've come home from my dog sledding trip to Ely, Minn. Yet I haven't talked about it on the blog. There are several reasons for this:
1. I'm just catching up on work now. Being gone for five days wreaks havoc on the work schedule.
2. I'm trying to get back into the habit of writing. Mostly, though, I've been busy applying for grants and residencies. So when I'm not working, I'm doing that.
3. The trip was so wonderful I'm not sure how to describe it.

I did manage to write an article for the Mankato Free Press right after I got back. But overall, at least for a while, I think the trip is something I want to keep to myself and reflect upon. It meant that much to me. I find myself thinking about it every day. To say it was a "life-changing" event might be a little dramatic. I mean, it was just a dog sledding trip. But there was something about spending all day out in the fresh winter air. There was something about being "up North." There was something about being away from my desk and my computer and my routine. That's all given me a lot to think about. Namely, how do I move up there ASAP?

Here's a picture of Isis, the dog that stole my heart:

Submission at SmithMag.Net

I submitted a story to SmithMag.Net on "Brushes with Fame."

http://www.smithmag.net/brushes_with_fame/story.php?did=4712

Irritation, Part 2

I'm afraid I'm on a roll now -- watch out! But this is directed toward the media, not any one person in particular.

Two things are bothering me this morning:
1) The new movie, "Meet the Spartans," or whatever it's called. Have you seen previews? It's another one of those movies, a la "Scary Movie," that spoofs recent pop culture and other movies. Why, I ask? Why? A movie like this doesn't even have a plot (or so it seems). It's just a series of clips thrown together. It doesn't take any talent to write it, direct it, or act in it. Movies like this keep coming out because people are seeing them. I wish people would stop going to these types of movies. Is it too much to ask for a good story? Award-winning acting? A movie based on favorite books? A movie that touches us, forces us to ask questions, teaches us something? I'm not saying that every movie has to be heavy and serious. I like fun movies as much as the next person. However, even fun movies can have a plot and theme.

2) A commercial for a minivan or something like that. I don't know -- I was too bothered to pay attention to the actual company. Scene: three children watching "SpongeBob" on the couch. Mom says repeatedly, "C'mon, we have to go." Children don't listen; they are reluctant to turn off the TV. Finally, Mom gets tough -- it's really time to go. Children turn off TV, run as fast as they can to the minivan, grab the remote in the minivan and turn on the TV in the van to "SpongeBob." They missed maybe five seconds of their show. Everyone smiles and laughs. Is it just me, or is this what's fundamentally wrong with families today? What are we teaching our children? That it's not OK to miss even five seconds of your show? What's the worst that could happen if the kids tuned out for a little while. If, in the minivan, they all had a family conversation? Used that driving time for a little interaction?

I'm a little irritated

For those who know me and read the headline, they might ask, "What else is new?" Ha ha. But really, something has been weighing on my mind for several days. Maybe writing about it and complaining about it will help me get over it.

So I host a little radio show, "The Weekly Reader," on a little public radio station, KMSU-FM, in Mankato. I like to chat with anyone about writing -- writers, readers, anyone who loves words. Here's how I usually choose guests: I read a book, think "This author would make a great guest," shoot off an email and voila! -- a guest is born. Ninety-nine percent of everyone I contact is more than willing to do the show. In fact, until recently, I could probably say I've had 100% cooperation. What author would not be willing to say yes to someone who is willing to put them on the air and talk about their new book? I'm contacting these people out of the blue -- all they have to do is say yes, and boom -- they get a little publicity. What could be easier for them?

OK, so my show isn't the biggest show out there. I'm no Terry Gross. But if even a few people hear about your book, isn't that a good thing? Most people would say yes. I'm up front with everyone I contact -- I admit this is a small show in a small market. But no one has turned me down. I've had my fair share of local and state authors, but also a few national guests whom I consider to be big names. Susan Orlean was on my show. As was David Paterson, screenwriter for "Bridge to Terabithia" and son of author Katherine Paterson. Ariel Gore. New York Times notable author Danielle Trussoni. No one forced them to go on a small-market show, but they all said yes.

So a couple of weeks ago, I contact an author of a memoir that's doing pretty well. They've received some good attention from national markets. I love memoir, it sounded like a great story, so I offered to get them on the air.

Here's what I get in reply: "Thanks, but no thanks. We're taking a break from interviewing right now."

What???? Excuse me??? I just offered you 25 minutes of devoted, selfish attention to your book, and you're saying no? I can understand burn-out, and I can understand that doing publicity for a book can be grueling and not fun at times. But in my mind, if I had a book, I would not turn down ONE opportunity to tell people about it. I guess the thing that gets me is that I'm seeing updates from said author, and it's clear they're not taking a break! I feel a little dissed.

Oh well, at least I can take comfort in the fact that today I'm recording an interview with Pulitzer Prize nominee Susan Choi.

Six-Word Memoirs, the book

New book released

My Japanese-American internment camp "You Choose" book came in the mail on Thursday. It is published by Capstone Press and is geared toward a third-grade audience. The book is told in second person; kids get to choose what paths they want to follow, with consequences different depending on what path they choose. Man, was this a lot of work! I've not done a children's title that was this intensive. I'm now working on a similar one about the Mexican immigrant experience. That, too, is proving to be a lot of work. But it's been fun to work on something a little different.