writing - Karen A. Chase

Malaise, Mayle and Malaysia

February 21, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

I first blogged about Peter Mayle in December. Today I received a comment from a Malaysian reader. They found my blog while searching for information on the author because the Malaysian government is considering banning his book “Where Did I Come From.”

I had to add in a mid-week blog about our human regression. In 2012 men are determining women’s reproductive rights, we’re facing legislation about “personhood,” and now Peter Mayle might be considered obscene in some countries.

It’s on the hit list (not because the title ends with a preposition, which always bothered me), but because of it’s explicit content. It’s an illustrated children’s book! Not illustrated like Playboy is illustrated. Illustrated with child-like cartoons of little round naked white people.

As Malaysian officials review the book for it’s “obscene” content, the government has declared that bookstores must pull it from the shelves. If they sell a copy, they could get up to three years in jail. This BBC article has the overview.

Perhaps if Peter Mayle created a Malaysian version, as he did the African American edition, it wouldn’t be so easily banned.

I’m glad it’s not banned here in America because I’m tempted to buy a copy and send it to a few key congressional representatives. Despite the fact some of them have nearly a dozen children, they really don’t understand Peter Mayle’s “version” about how it all happens. At least I have the freedom to read about it. For now.

MayleBook — Perhaps some could learn from the sub-title: "The facts of life without any nonsense and with illustrations."

Write well. Nap. Carry water.

February 17, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

Over the last four months Ted and I, either separately or together, have been to Texas, Williamsburg, New York, Tampa, Venezuela, St. Thomas, Roanoke, Raleigh, DC and Portland. It’s been an adventurous several months, logging a few air miles, a few days by sea for Ted, and several hours in the car. Somewhere in the middle of all our coming-and-going, we’ve been working, writing, reading, and doing a few projects around the house. Finally, we are staying put for several weeks. It’s time to hunker down and write more.

During all our travel, I tried to apply a list I made just after returning from Paris last year. I thought I would include that list from my book, Bonjour 40, here. It’s a good guide-to-life even as I settle back into writing more at home.

• Naps on the grass are essential to well-being.
• Walk more. Bike more.
• Learn new languages.
• Dress up a bit, even when alone. Why look shabby?
• Buy fresh flowers now and then.
• A scarf can really change an outfit—for men and women.
• Fresh food is better than packaged food. Always.
• Be more polite.
• Laugh like the English.
• Kiss like the French.
• Always carry wet-wipes.
• Sharing a scene is better than stealing it.
• I can write anywhere.

On his trip to Venezuela (which I will detail in another blog), Ted also learned that carrying fresh water is a good idea. Especially when you’ll be at sea for more than four days. Below are a few pictures from Ted’s trip, including a sunset from the middle of the Caribbean Sea.

What have you learned most from your travels?

Writing for Change

February 10, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

What do Gap, Netflix, Verizon, Congress and Komen all have in common? The written word changed the way they do business.

In 2010, Gap launched a new logo design. It was slammed in social media circles for being worse than the original, and Gap dropped it. Last year Netflix and Verizon wanted to change they way they charge customers. Customers revolted and the charges were dropped. Last month, Congress was trying to pass the SOPA legislation, and after what amounted to a 24-hour internet sit-in and letter-writing extravaganza, the bill was withdrawn.

Last week Susan G. Komen for the cure made a decision based on politics instead of women’s health, pulling funding from Planned Parenthood, and enraging women everywhere. So big, so loud, so immediate was the noise and the hit (negative PR to Komen, positively to Planned Parenthood who raised over $650,000 in 48 hours), even Komen executive Karen Handel heard it in the end.

What I loved most about watching all these scenarios wasn’t seeing big organizations and muckety mucks cower under the power of the little people (okay, I did enjoy that a smidge). What I loved most was it showed how much influence the written word still has, and the potential for positive change it could have. All the above instances show how we made a difference reactively. Now, pick any topic, cause or need, and imagine what we could do if we collectively used our words proactively instead.

What will you write for change?

This post is dedicated to a dear friend, Sharon Rapoport–a Komen volunteer, a Planned Parenthood supporter, copywriter, and a breast cancer survivor. Last week's issue made her sad, angry, conflicted, and overwhelmed with messages from friends and family. It also gave me one more reason to say, Sharon, you inspire me. You handled last week flawlessly, communicating with everyone as only a copywriter can. You wrote honestly. (Photo from July 2010 issue of Valley Business FRONT.)

Censorship and the Librarian

January 27, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

I flew to Tampa, Florida yesterday. It seems on most airplane trips, you can generally chat about the weather with your seatmate, or ignore them entirely. Rebecca Neas and I did neither. A school librarian for years, she now helps acquire non-fiction youth books for county libraries near my home. Very early in our conversation, she spoke about the challenge of finding books to educate children without offending those who might believe a book contains inappropriate content. Then she said librarians tend to agree, “Censorship begins and ends at home.” Brilliant. From that point on, I knew we could discuss any book, and so we did for the remaining two hours of the flight.

Her comment and our conversation, made me realize the two reasons why it is that I love reading and books so very much. First, I have to thank people like Rebecca. I remember our librarians throughout my school years excitedly showcasing new finds and classics. They picked books relevant to our lives, to expand what we were reading, or to inspire us. Sometimes it was all three. The second reason is the simple fact that censorship ended in our home. There was no book, genre or subject out of bounds. Books were considered educational, and my parents encouraged us to read anything. Whether it was Brave New World, The Joy of Sex, The Diary of Anne Frank, or Choose Your Own Adventure tales, we were free to choose. And so it is that reading has always been an adventure.

Is there a book from this banned list you love?

AbbeySmall — One of my favorites, The Abbey Bookshop, in Paris. It carries English language books focusing on Canadian authors and, well... darn near everything else.

Virginia Writer Helps Australians Find Bandit in Paris Crab Shack

January 13, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

Truly, one of the most remarkable things about writing, and putting it out there for the whole world to read, is when you find out that your words have reached someone around the world. A couple months ago, my book Bonjour 40, about my Paris adventures, went on a blog tour. Over thirty blog writers reviewed the book or interviewed me about it. One of them, called The Eclectic Reader is written by Sheree (Teddyree) of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. What happened from that review is remarkable.

Not long after she featured Bonjour 40 on her blog, Sheree’s sister and her family headed to Paris. Loading her sister up with notes and where-to information gleaned from Bonjour 40, Sheree also got in touch with me to let me know they were going. I got in touch with Dorothée (and her dog, Bandit), who ran the crab shack near the apartment where I stayed in Paris, so they could watch out for Sheree’s family. What happened? Yes, they all met.

Dorothée wrote to say, “They came by and had a drink this afternoon. I knew as soon as they stepped in asked about the crab shack they knew you!” Sheree sent photos of their visit, which allowed me to relive my time with Dorothée and Bandit, too.

More importantly, I realized my book helped make a 10,200 mile trek from Brisbane to Paris more personal for someone who lives about 9,500 miles away from me. And the world turns smaller because of words.

Bandit gives Dorothée a hug at the bar at Le Panier de Crabes during the visit with Sheree's sister. If you'd like to connect with Bandit, he has his own Facebook page. Search for "Le Nain."

Shakespeare&Company — Another photo taken during the Australian tour by Sheree's sister. The infamous, writer-haven Shakespeare and Company bookstore. An entire chapter is dedicated to it in Bonjour 40.

Merry Christmolidayukkuh

December 20, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

Do you hear what I hear? The big debate is on. Do you say Merry Christmas? Happy Holiday? Happy Hanukkah? I just want to ask, does it matter? Isn’t the intent is to spread joy and well wishes? I think it’s lovely to wish others happiness. I think it’s nice to say, “Peace on Earth,” and mean it. When winter cold rushes in, I just want to hunker down, have some cocoa, spend time with friends and family, and hug darn near everyone. The sentiment of the season, regardless of beliefs or the words we use to compose our feelings, is love. Let’s all spread a little more of that around throughout the season and the whole year long. With our words. Our photos. Our actions. Our hearts.

Compositions will be off until January 6th. Enjoy the season, however you may celebrate it, with fewer emails from me. See you in the new year. And have a Merry Chrismolidayukkuh everyone!

– Karen

We met this Father Christmas as we toured around Colonial Williamsburg last weekend. At the very least, we should all try be on the nice list.

An Unsubscribed Life

December 16, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

Around the holidays, there’s always a part of me that wants to make life simpler. This year we decorated a little less. We bought less. We agreed to spend more time together.

In an effort to simplify my online life, I gathered all my websites onto one server. Doing so unleashed a little spam which I finally got under control, but it also made me recognize the amount of email hitting my inbox from retailers, businesses and non-profits–especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Had I really signed up for a life where my inbox is filled with more want ads, than notes from friends, family and clients? My days felt more prescribed than subscribed.

Now, instead of clicking through or deleting the emails I don’t have the time to read, I’m taking a few moments to unsubscribe. I don’t need to know that Victoria Secret is selling a bra every week because I have only two boobs, and I will shop when I need to. I don’t need a hotel discount for a place I visited two years ago.

I’m keeping a few newsletters and blogs related to my work or friends, and preferred non-profit updates, so I’m reminded to help others. My hope is this simple life will give me more time with those I love the most. I think that’s the life I’d rather subscribe to. To the rest I say, “And to all a good night.”

How many emails in your inbox each day are “subscriptions?”

InBoxFull — How my inbox feels in the morning. A mountain of email, and just hoping to find one from Ted, friends, family or clients.

InboxInstead — How I want my inbox to feel. A few things to attend to in the distance, clean and clear, with us much more in focus. Both pictures were taken in the Rockies near where I grew up in Canada.

That’s So Peter Mayle

December 9, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

Part of my research for my trip to France involved reading Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. It’s delightful and filled with all kinds of hilarious anecdotes about French people, food, weather, and feeling like a foreigner in your chosen home. I love Peter’s writing. He was a copywriter, and so for that reason I also have an affinity for his passionate embrace of life when he moved to France with his wife after fifteen years in the ad business. Now, after reading his book, and being there myself, I can understand the draw.

However, I recently discovered Peter Mayle wrote another widely known book I read in elementary school called Where Did I Come From? It’s a book written to help explain the “facts of life” to kids whose parents are afraid to even spell s-e-x around them. Millions of copies have been sold, but I am shocked to discover that Peter wrote it. I wonder, did writing that book help Peter to realize that he was from France? If it did, then I really need to go read it again. It would have given me a reason to tell my parents I was suffering through Canadian winters because I was Parisian and we needed to move.

Though the two books could not be more different, I guess it shows me an author can have a wide range. But I don’t know what I’ll think if I find out Agatha Christie helped write Are You There God It’s Me Margaret.

Has a favorite writer of yours ever changed genre, and did you still follow them?

Where Did I Come From? is also available as an African-American edition. Really?! We come from different places? Maan, my parents didn’t tell me anything!

Guest Post: Gutsy Living

December 4, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

I’ve recently published a guest-post on the blog Gutsy Living. Thank you to Sonia Marsh for including me on her wonderful, adventurous blog. You can read the article I posted about my Bonjour 40 adventure on the Gutsy Living blog here! Enjoy.

Freedom of Expression

September 16, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

When I was thirteen, I bought a photograph of Mikhail Baryshnikov. He was in mid-flight, muscles taut, and the expression on his face was one of sheer freedom. There was nothing but air around him to drive home the point. I recall staring at it hoping my body might eventually feel that way (or at least would get to feel him). Around that same time, I also discovered Annie Leibovitz, a female photographer whose portraits stunned me with their simplicity and her ability to capture the private portion of her subjects’ famous public persona. For the first time, I saw what the eye of a woman could behold and it had a profound effect on me.

In part because of her influence, photography is part of my life. My daily-life of design and writing however, has me sitting for hours. So at 40, I realized the freedom must be within dance itself (and a realization that Baryshnikov will never ask me out). So a girlfriend of mine and I started jazz classes on Tuesday, and I found freedom within minutes. It was in the rhythm of the music. In the mentality of letting go. Radiating from my limbs. And right when I thought, “I’m dancing at 40. This is fabulous!”… POW! I blew out my hip. A trip to the orthopedic doctor confirmed strained muscles, and two weeks of constrained movement. I am not thirteen anymore. Yes, I will return to class, but perhaps life is freer behind the lens.