Clara54’s Weblog

The Endless Possibilities For Writers Who Network…

Posted by: clara54 on: July 14, 2009

Ok, so you remember how hesitant I was to join Twitter right? Sure ya do. Anyhow, from where I’m sitting today, it was the best networking move that I could have done, other than visiting writer’s blogs & commenting. Have met some great folks that way as well. However, today has been a great day of communication via email & twitter. So many folks are following me on Twitter & I in turn follow them…Well only the ones with similar interests.

Heard back from Kyle Avermann (who’s on twitter as well) about the new citizen journalism group & it’s an apparent go…According to Kyle, folks were lined up to apply! Also the gig I’d applied for at The International responded with an assignment to complete as this prestigious job is one that few folks get to actually obtain. I’m still debating this one, seems If I pass this assignment, I’ll commit to a weekly article with an international focus(natch) and the pay is excellent!

It was a pleasure to hear from Carrie Clark, the Illinois HWA coorindinator. NBC picked up a segment on workplace bullying with interviews with Dr. Gary Namie, founder of the Workplace Bullying Institute and also told the story of Coleen Robinson, the HWA State Coorindinator. Readers can see the entire interview here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31904004#31904004. You can also visit the Workplace Bullying Institute’s Website.

Off from my ‘day’ job. It’s been a crazy whirlwind of a day. Between talking with friends & family and putting in queries, I’m pretty beat, yet optimistic about what tomorrow brings. A query sent out today for possible “Columnist” position got a prompt response letting me know they’ll make a decision within a reasonable stretch of time due to the many submissions! Keep your fingers & toes crossed that I get this gig because I’m bursting to share tools learned from living life experiences to other women of a certain age…Hear me now!:)

A bit of silliness always bring a smile at clara54. “Ya feel me?”

Today’s “Writer” Update…

Posted by: clara54 on: July 12, 2009

NOT a writing day, it was a nursing day! Yep. Spent time with the elderly was exhausted and came home to warm bath, napped & checked emails…same in AM. Would think I’d miss out on sitting at my trusted computer & you’d be right, but, there’s also a wealth of information to be had here, ALL  good as I’m collecting stories & a paycheck for the future of my writing business… 

Some writing updates include sending out an updated bio for inclusion in ReflectionsFromWomen, a book of motivational/inspirational stories from women whose stories might help other women on their journey in life. The author, Terri S. Nelson is a clinical social worker as well, sooo feel very honored to be included in her book.

Also received email from a young fellow whose Citizen Journalism reportings have landed him on CNN’s iReport and who asked (after reading my columns at examiner.com) if I’d be interested in participating in a citizen journalist group he’s starting in the Illinois area. Of course, I said he was welcome to send details…

Addressed the ‘in your face’ racism of folks at the Philadelphia camp that removed 65 children from their swimming pool because of the color of their skin…in 2009 I might add! The article can be viewed at my column over on BLOGHER… Clara54 will try to keep it light & fun here, but if you’ve been following my work, you’ll notice the digression when ’stuff’ happens and it becomes something that cannot & shouldn’t be ignored…

Sent out queries of interest for possible gigs and added reminder to followup on a few promised interviews for clara54 on my “to do” list.

Anyho, that was clara54’s update for the week…What writers roundtable stuff you’d like to share with my readers?

Clara54 Review of Sex & The City-The Movie

Posted by: clara54 on: July 7, 2009

I’m somewhat of a ‘yea, that can wait’ sort of person when it comes to flocking to see the latest movie, reading the next bestseller, or rushing out to purchase the newest CD of the next great musician. I suppose when its already been played up repeatedly in the media, friends, family and such. .. AND you listen to ALL of these other versions of what went on and it’s like, “I’ll catch it later.” Such was the case with the movie Sex & The City… Took  me more than a year to watch it.

First off, Let me be fair and say how much I liked the fashion all 4 women sported along with the shoes & purses to match, enjoyed the flavor Jennifer Hudson added to the mix,. Loved looking upon the streets of New York… But in my opinion, the lackluster performances of all involved were nothing to write home about. It seemed that the actors were just going through the motions this time around. Even Mr. Big buying Carrie lots of closet space didn’t go over well as Carrie showed her love & appreciation …too detached.

There was no connectiveness…Nothing & no one jelled. There wasn’t any ‘oomph’ to the storylines and I for one was happy I’d not joined the circus of folks rushing out to see the movie. I wrote an indepth reason for why It took me so long to watch Sex & The City-The Movie at http://ezinearticles.com but, for whatever reason I’m writing about it at clara54 perhaps in hopes that the rumored next Sex Movie in the works will have the ole flavor of the television series.

Maybe it’s just me, but, even Mr. Big served to disappoint…just sayin’

Discovering The “Gems” of Forgotten Works…

Posted by: clara54 on: July 5, 2009

Let’s see, so far today after digging into just one of many boxes packed full of writings from long ago, I’ve come across 4 short story fiction works/completed… 1, One Act play, 1 forlorn & once rejected book of 50 poems sent out to the only publishing company I felt at the time my poetry deserved, & which btw kept them for well over a year before returning them with an “I’m sorry, but” rejection …Anyho, loved those poems and felt sooo dejected after, that I’d thrown them into the box of “Gems” I’m rediscovering and will be dusting off to try again.

Then’s there the short-short pieces of ‘love’ stuff from those times of  experiencing a love jones where I’d penned a few personals from those ‘Dear Diary’ breakup & make less time for self days. The one journal entry that I recall vividly writing about when the then object of my affection went off to Paris on a musical tour, leaving me high & dry for 3 weeks…so aptly titled “Fifteen Days” became an essay daily emotions… will try to place that tearjerker, using pseudonym natch! 

It’s become quite amazing to me the body of work writers have to fall back on when their muse seem to have gone missing, or the job boards have seemingly hit a dry spell. When we get overwhelmed with other stuff … even when we just want to take a time out to enjoy the ambiance of living life in all its creations, it’s sort of cool to know that we have resourceful bits of writings that can bridge the gap of non productivity.

Looking into these often neglected areas where some of our best ideas & creativity can be found waiting for their rebirth onto the blank page of some editor/publishers paying market can help jumpstart our engines to produce again  …

Anyho, I’m on a roll now & so much more wealth of forgotten material awaits… How about you? What writing gems have you found laying dormant atop your closets/in your boxes just waiting to breathe again?

A Writers’ Perspective

Posted by: clara54 on: July 1, 2009

I took some time out these past days after hearing of Michael Jackson’s untimely death to reflect, mourn & pay homage to the unyielding power of life & death. We say it in passing all the time “Life is short” . “Everybody has to die someday.” All truisms. It’s the reality of human mortality. I am still saddened, however & I am humbled as well as I return to work, back to the comfort of words and to Clara54, my baby of sorts and I hope you’ll join me in celebration as I announce some good things that’s happened since you visited last:

I decided on Friday preceding MJ’s death that I wasn’t going to write anything about him…leave that to the media. But, I got a special request from the editor of the local newspaper where I place freelance posts now & again. He asked me to write a memorandum in honor of Michael. I did it and today I received a copy of the paper with my piece on the 2nd page, along with a check for work I hadn’t really wanted to do.

I also got that long awaited email at Reflections From Women book of finalists who made the cut after 3 rounds of judging…My essay Second Time Around will be among the 50 contributers to Terri Spahr Nelson’s motivational & inspiring Book for women…my feelings of gratutide becomes overwhelming.

Finishing my Marketing Class at Marketingbudda’s Bootcamp for Writers was a milestone for me in accomplishing my goal. I’m already using what I’ve learned to pitch to potential clients and grow my freelance writing business…I have an  interview & great wealth of information for how folks can increase their business revenue from a veteran copywriter of 10 years to share with Clara54 readers in an upcoming post.  AND I’d like to thank Beverly Peterson for calling me personally to show her appreciation for the interview she’d done with Clara54 & for all the attention her film, There Oughta Be A Law is still getting since our profile here… On the same note about workplace bullying, I recently had the pleasure of conversations via email with Carrie Clark, Illinois state coorindinator against workplace bullies. She has kindly kept me up to date on what’s happening with getting legislation passed to end this form of abuse … AND 

As always, the wonderful feedback/comments/visits /that Clara54 continues to receive on a daily basis lets me know that somehow I’m on the right track …Keep-a- coming !  

Today is my son’s birthday YAY!

A Writer Without Words…

Posted by: clara54 on: June 26, 2009

R.I.P.

Farrah Fawcett…

Michael Jackson…

Today I’m “a writer without words”…

Who Will Speak For The Elders…

Posted by: clara54 on: June 20, 2009

When they can no longer speak for themselves ? is the beginning of a poem I’d written in honor of the many centurians I have worked with over the years… oftentimes writing down their stories. Elders have a story to tell and they want folks to just listen. When I began my nursing career many years ago I came to the conclusion after spending moments in time listening to the stories of my patients, many of whom were way up in age , in the midst of cleansing/dressing their wounds, assisting in feeding, or giving a morning bath: These people are wise beyond reason… Their words, their stories, their excitement while recounting the old days that had flown by, became the basis for my wanting to record their stories. Some are bittersweet, some funny and some downright heartbreaking.

There’s a certain patient I’m particularly fond of on my ‘day’ job & who at 100 years old is still wise,intellectual, and quite witty and who during periods of forgetulness often approach the staff to get their attention by rolling up in her wheelchair to call out,”hey lady!”, “nurse” or, “I’m talking to you!” & who continues to inspire me to listen & record the elder story. I often refer to this patient as the “Matriarch” which she finds quite funny but, graciously humbling. Whenever I introduce her(purposely) to other staff in this way she shakes her head of white hair, smiles modestly, and asks “Am I really?” …

I’m A Celebrity-Get Me Out Of Here!

Posted by: clara54 on: June 17, 2009

No people, not me, The Reality Show! Anyho, initially I wasn’t going to watch this show when the ousted Governor’s wife from my home state was selected to be a contestant & I sure as heck wasn’t about to watch an hour of the Ken & Barbie clones as in Spencer Pratt and wife Heidi, but that’s the thing about women, we can always change our minds.

Looking at this show from a purely writernistic (is that a word?) point of view, I sat down on last night Monday to watch what I have to say was one of the most compelling, funny & downright sob fested emotional piece of reality dribble I’d seen in some time. I mean between Salley the basketballer wanting to bail because he wanted to make pizza & drink wine and Janice Dickinson’s bout with her sluggish bowels& her confiding in Lou Diamond Phillips, who appears to be a pillar of graciousness, by the way, about her DNA conversation with Stallone back in the day…Sanjaya cooking 10 potatoes at a time to conserve cooking oil while getting hungar snippits of insults from his fellow castaways, well this show gave me a few bellyups. So much so I’m refusing to tune in tonight.

It’s a good thing young Spence & wife left the show for good after their 3rd time leaving because I don’t think I could take all of the fodder for gossip that my note taking became. And speaking of the Governor’s wife, Patti? felt a bit of human compassion for her. It must have been because I identified with her as a mother with daughters. She’s afraid she’ll be sentenced along with her husband in the scheme of things & where would that leave her girls? Such a bummer.   

Anyho, consider this a basic review of Reality TV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! Clara54 gives Monday episode a wacky thumbs up!

Clara54’s Interview With Beverly Peterson-part 2

Posted by: clara54 on: June 12, 2009

Beverly Peterson, a filmmaker out of New York captured my attention & hopefully the worlds when she began to screen her latest documentary There Oughta Be A Law. She so kindly took time from her busy schedule to give Clara54 this indepth interview:

BP. The great thing about having the power to make a film is that it gives you a megaphone to shout aloud the dirty little secrets that those abusing power don’t want told. However, while there may not be a law to protect victims, there is one to protect the abuser and ensure we are silenced. It’s one of the hardest challenges in doing this project. We can’t point and say: “He did it! Joe Blow destroyed my career, and devastated my finances & health. And the management at the XYZ Company let him get away with it.” If we do that we’ll be sued for libel. Our experiences, pain and personal stories become censored to the point that there are so many witheld details it seems like abstract whining. That’s why I decided to use the internet to launch this video project . The internet is a place where the private becomes public. I want my website to become a safe place for victims to come out of the shadows & talk as openly as they can about the devastating impact of psychological harassment in the workplace.

The next posting is the story I was filming last weekend in Wisconsin. Jody was a young mother who worked as an Xray technician in a hospital clinic. Her boss decided to target her and the harassment became constant. Jody came from a large extended family & they all offered support. Jody tried to lateral out to another position but kept getting passed over. She was finally told by HR to bring in a list detailing her boss’ harassment…That was when she hung herself…

It is incredibly humiliating to make a list that looks like petty grievances and it’s even harder to convey on paper the horror of being viciously targeted for no reason by another human being. Jody left behind a husband & two small children.

C54. What can folks do to help bring awareness to this problem by employers in the workplace?

BP. I think the most important is exactly what you are doing, writing articles to get the word out. Your readers can easily email your article to everyone they know and those people in turn can do the same…

As I said Beverly Peterson is on a mission and I’m encouraging everyone who read clara54 to take action. This interview gives a wealth of information which I will be posting in its entirety on my column for chicago women’s examiner.com. There is an important date that Beverly speaks about & you should note. On May 28th Illinois passed a bill to study hostile work environments that just needs the Governor’s signature. She’s encouraging folks to make sure that this study doesn’t languish & eventually disappear…If you haven’t seen There Oughta Be A Law, or visited Beverly Peterson’s website, please refer to 1st part of interview…

Clara54 Interviews Beverly Peterson

Posted by: clara54 on: June 12, 2009

At the sake of sounding redundant, let me say how thrilled I am that clara54 has reached a year’s milestone on June 3rd & we celebrated her 1 year anniversary … the thrill comes also in the folks I’ve met through networking and just plain being a part of the writing community in every genre imaginable in the blogosphere. Beverly Peterson is a person I’m especially happy to have you meet here because she is doing something that we all should commend her for. A filmmaker dealing with important issues, Beverly Peterson:

C54. Welcome Beverly, please tell our readers a bit about you & your work.

BP . I actually have a pretty crazy background. I used to own several seafood restaurants on the upper east side of Manhattan. We had fishing boats & traveled extensively. Then, in the early 90s I gave all that up and started making documentaries. Financially the decision was a nosedive but artistically it’s been amazing. It’s not unusual for my films to come out of my personal experience and what it is to be living at a certain moment in history.

The Andre Show is a story of a young boy with AIDS my husband and I adopted shortly before he died during this global medical epidemic. 71 West Broadway: Ground Zero, NY is the street address of our loft located just 2 blocks north of the World Trade Center. I began filming that story from our doorstep during the terrorist attacks. The film follows the impact on us as well as the immigrant small busines owners on our block as we struggled to move back home after the evacuation of  the ‘Red Zone.’

Invisible Revolution captured a revealing interview of a young racist, Ben Smith, just 2 weeks prior to the deadly shooting rampage he went on in Indiana and Illinois before shooting himself. Among the lives stolen was the much beloved Ricky Birdsong, the former Northwest University basketball star.

C54. What motivated you to do There Oughta Be A Law?

BP. I knew about the torment of dealing with an abusive boss first hand. It happens with amazing speed. I went down for the count in less than 6 months. Suddenly your life is turned upside down financially & emotionally, your health is in jeopardy and you are filled with this incredible shame. I started having severe chest pains and went for a check up & the EKG tech was concerned because the reading was abnormal. The outcome? Stress! my doctor sat me down and said , “You were fine before you started working for this woman. You need to find another job.” She was right. I quit my job and my health is fine. The great thing about having the power to make a film is that it gives you a megaphone to shout aloud the dirty little secrets that those abusing powers don’t want told…

Clara54 has more to come with Beverly Peterson. In the meantime why not check out There Oughta Be A Law @  http://NojobIsWorthThis.com and on Youtube.com/user there oughta be a law.com to view this film.