Be a Pearl and fly through life like a Bumble Bee..

Yesterday, I spent the day on the couch, in the dark, dwelling on what is not going right in my life and what if anything my future holds.

I was beyond blue..

Besides my financial situation, what weighs heaviest on my heart is this writing life. A life that I did not choose - it chose me. If I could have chosen something else - I would have, 'cause this writing thing can be heartbreaking on levels that I will not even go into.

But here's the thing - it's a gift, this writing thing. And one should never turn a gift away or ask the giver to explain it. One should accept gifts with grace and humility. The gift - no matter how small - should be put to use, no matter what the naysayers have to say.

I was reminded of this very thing yesterday as I sat watching (for the umpteenth time) the documentary: A Man Named Pearl, which tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar.

What stands out for me in this story is when a gentleman, after viewing and carefully inspecting Pearl's magnificent garden, turned to Pearl and said, "You should not be able to do this. You don't have any formal horticultural training."

Pearls response was, "I didn't know that I shouldn't be able to do this."

I get chills every time I hear him say that!

It's similar to the story of the Bumble Bee. Did you know that based on the shape of the Bumble Bee, it should not be able to fly? It is not aerodynamically designed for flight! But it flies nonetheless. Maybe if someone told it early on that it couldn't fly then we'd have Bumble Bee's crawling all over the ground. If someone told Pearl Fyar that he couldn't grow plants in the spectacular way he does - then we wouldn't have his beautiful garden to visit and wonder at.

I've had people say that I should not know how to write - the way I write - because I did not have any formal training. I've also been told that because I do not hold an MFA I will never be able to break into the Literary Circles that one needs to be connected to in order to secure certain residencies, awards, grants and fellowships.

It is so true the adage: Knowledge is a powerful thing. Knowledge can build you up and sometimes it can break you down.

So yesterday, at least for part of the day - I was on the downside of the knowledge is power thing. But today - is a better day. It's a bright, frigidly cold day and I feel renewed!

I went to bed thinking about Pearl and the Bumble Bee and woke up this morning with the decision to do away with the so-called "rules" of this writing life and return to the blissful ignorance that has carried me through the writing and publication of thirteen novels.

I'm going to relish in my gift and not worry it away. I'm going to be a pearl and fly like a bumble bee straight into 2012.

Won't you join me?

This is my holiday wish for myself and for all of you.......

Until next year.....

Art Sanctuary: Writing Workshop Series

Bernice L. McFadden

The Story Behind: The Warmest December

Today seems to be the perfect day for this post. It's December and well, it's warm -- unseasonably warm.

Ten years ago, I was blessed enough to follow up the success of my debut novel: Sugar with my sophomore novel: The Warmest December.

The book was well received by the pubic and critics alike. My publisher was happy with it - so much so that they nominated it for a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It didn't win - but as they say, it was an honor to have been nominated.

When I suggested the book be reissued by my current publisher; Johnny Temple, founder of Akashic Books - readily agreed.

I wanted to make the reissue special and so approached James Frey; first for a blurb and then later asked if he wouldn't mind writing the Forward -- and he too, readily agreed.

Last December, I spent a month in Ohio with my cousins and woke up one snowy morning with an idea for a new book cover. I asked my twelve year old cousin if she would be the model for the cover and she...readily agreed...I took the photo myself..right in their backyard.

The one thing that I wanted to do, but for some reason could not bring myself to do was write an explanation about the story. You see when the book was first published in 2001, I received a number of emails and was asked in dozens of interviews if the story of Kenzie Lowe was my story. Time and time again I denied it.

Everything is about timing.

My father was still alive, my parents still married...and I was not yet ready to publicly admit to a life that was at times so difficult and terrifying that in order to survive and thrive, I had convinced myself that it wasn't as terrible as all of that. But it was.

However, I have made peace with that little girl, my mother and my father and do not love them any less because of it. In fact, I will say that the experience has made me who I am today - and I kinda like me.

I guess this is what I wanted to add to the reissue - but at the time, I could not find the words - or maybe the words could not find me. And so instead, I placed a photo of my father and I on the dedication page, because sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words.

I suppose, The Warmest December came out of my need to understand and forgive. It was probably the most difficult and most freeing thing I've ever written. If bloodletting could be translated into words - for me The Warmest December would be just that.

As you may now realize, the story is quite significant for me and to me and not only because it chronicles an episode in my life that mirrors the lives of so many, but because of the honor bestowed upon it by the very author I've idolized for nearly three decades.

Back in 1984 the sister of my then boyfriend loaned me a copy of BELOVED by Toni Morrison. I will admit that I had not heard of her - I was less than a year out of high school and was still entranced by the offerings of Stephen King.

Beloved spoke to me in away that no other book had. I was hooked. Strung out. Dazzled. 27 years later...I still feel the same way about the woman and her writing.

And so today, as I sit here on this warm December day, reminiscing about my life thus far - I thought it would be nice to share the letter from the Nobel Laureate (addressed to my then editor) that in many ways, changed the course of my career....

**The Warmest December will be reissued on Jan 31st 2012 in Paperback and eBook through the usual outlets - but you can purchase a copy today directly from the publisher. Just click here

Bernice L. McFadden

Christmas Comes Early.....!!!

Hello Everyone!

I'm very excited to announce that my new novel - Gathering of Waters as well as the reissue of The Warmest December (with forward by James Frey) have arrived at my publisher!

As you know the pub date for both books is scheduled for Jan 31st, 2011 - but now you don't have to wait until 2012 - you can have either NOW!!!

You can order directly from the publisher and guess what **trembling with excitement** you may just be able to secure an autographed copy!!!

I'm headed into the office this week to sign as many copies as I can!!!

I know so many of you pre-ordered from Amazon or B&N -- but if you don't want to wait until next year - you can swap that order out for a different book by a one of your other beloved authors and purchase Gathering of Waters and/or The Warmest December -- TODAY!!!

Library Journal had this to say about Gathering of Waters:

"The rich text is shaped by the African American storytelling tradition and layered with significant American histories. Recalling the woven spirituality of Toni MorrisonÕs Beloved, this work will appeal to readers of mystic literature."

And just in case you didn't know, Gathering of Waters is available in both hardcover and paperback!!!

Please pass the word along to your followers, friends and family members. Word of mouth is the most powerful marketing machine we authors have!

Just click HERE to purchase!

Bernice L. McFadden

Her Word as Witness

I am so honored to have been included in Laylah Amatullah Barrayn's latest solo show, Her Words as Witness: Women Writers of the African Diaspora at Restoration Plaza's Skylight Gallery in Brooklyn.

I hope you spread the word near and far.

Here is a little tease to wet your appetite:

Bernice L. McFadden