Chapter Five and part of Six

I received great news yesterday: my creative nonfiction piece "Scent of Forgiveness" will be published in the next issue (May 2009) of Perception, a literary magazine. I'm thrilled, as this piece will also make its appearance in the new, longer version of my solo play "Copperheads and Common Women" when it gets a reading -- unscheduled as yet. AND, it is one of my favorite things I've ever written. I did not use my time on the radio last night to shamelessly self-promote this bit of news, so I'm doing it here.
The price for downloading mp3 versions of my broadcast sessions has gone up to $2.99, so if you're listening, your best deal is always to tune in for the live broadcast. I'm on every Tuesday evening 7 to 7:30pm Pacific Time. Last night Lillian put me on five minutes early because last week I ran five minutes late ... so, please tune in early so you don't miss anything.

Chapter Four

Ran a bit long last night, what with having to stop and cough, have a drink of water, and maybe I was reading slower? I don't know, but I wouldn't stop until I finished the chapter. I wanted to get through the end, didn't want to leave you hanging: does she get punished? What happens to the poor little thing?
On a personal note, in case you're interested, I got word this morning that my play Blue Roses will be part of the Great Plains Conference Play Lab. They received over 400 plays this year, so to have mine chosen is an honor indeed. A panel of playwrights will give me feedback after the reading of the play, which of course means that I have to be in attendance. Have to ... ha, I'll be there with bells on. Honored playwrights this year include Theresa Rebeck, Constance Congdon and Mac Wellman. Also Martha Boesing who was a founder of At the Foot of the Mountain back in the day. ATFOTM performed a play I co-wrote with Kate Kasten called The Clue in the Old Birdbath. Twice. 1978 and ten years later in 1988. We'll have to catch up.
If you're listening to Poor Little Thing, I'd love to hear from you. Sandra

technology frustration!

Last Tuesday night, those of you who listened could not hear me. Or if you leaned really really close to your computers you could hear a tiny little voice akin to that of a mosquito with my accent, but could not make out my words. After the broadcast, two listeners alerted me to the problem, I was able to alert Lillian Cauldwell, PIVTR owner and she made the recording available for free -- BUT google wouldn't allow me to post to my blog until today! So, I wasn't able to tell you unless you emailed me or called me ...

My apologies, most sincerely.

Tonight is Chapter Three, and although I warn you most sternly that the material is rated for mature audiences, in fact Chapter Three is sex and violence free. You can relax and just enjoy it, even share it with your kids if you want to.

My reading of "Copperheads and Common Women" at Portland Center Stage on Sunday went very well to a nice-sized appreciative audience. The two adolescents in the audience liked the story about the copperhead the best. Maybe when I finish the memoir, I'll read this piece for the radio.

Chapter One ... were you listening?

I made it through the first Chapter, live on air. I read so fast that I finished 16 pages in about 24 minutes. If you were listening, please give me some feedback. Was I reading so fast that you lost words or meaning? Did you wish I had rated the show before I started? Should I have warned you that this was for mature audiences with sexual content and language? I actually intended to, but forgot. I also forgot to mention at the top of the show that all of the names in the memoir have been changed except those of my immediate family. I did mention these things at the end of the show. I will try to remember to mention them at the TOP of the show in future broadcasts.

It's official!

Tonight's the night I begin my own show on PIVTR. I've decided to name the show Copperheads and Common Women, after the one-woman show I've just written for the stage. I'll be reading it live in person in Portland, Oregon as part of Fertile Ground: New Works Festival on January 25th. Women from my life appear both in the play and in my memoir, which I'll be reading on the radio, so it seems fitting.
I'm looking forward to getting comments from a listening audience. I'll be reading to you.

First night on the air

Small bummer. Technical difficulties ... I didn't get on at the time I was supposed to. But I did make it on AFTER my play "Christmas at the TNT Truck Stop" ran. Nice long interview by Lillian Cauldwell, the station owner. We talked about radio theatre, writing plays, writing for radio, and the fact that I'm going to be reading my memoir every Tuesday night beginning January 13th. I wasn't able to tune myself in, so I hope I'll hear from a listener or two to give me some feedback or questions, or comments.

First bit: Happy Winter Solstice 2008!

Portland, Oregon looks more like Portland, Maine this morning. This is the eighth day of real winter weather, and the shortest day, longest night. Time for deep thoughts and reflections on the coming year.
On Christmas Eve, I will broadcast my "Christmas at the TNT Truckstop" on PIVTR, International Internet Radio, 6:30 to 7:30pm PST, www.pivtr.com. There will be an interview, live call in 866-977-4887 and broadcast of the radio play.
In January I begin a weekly broadcast of live reading of my memoir "Poor Little Thing: Growing Up Too Fast in Rural Missouri". I'll read it in 30 minutes bits from page one until I finish. Again, I'll have live call in after each reading for your feedback and questions.
Blogging seemed a good way to prepare for doing live radio and live readings. I hope you'll join me in this journey, both here and on the air! sdh