Write to the Heart of the Matter: Biography

Catherine the Great, Portrait of a Woman
by Robert K. Massie

For the past four months, I have been immersed in biographies. From Keith Richard to Regis Philbin, from Carol Burnett to Carrie Fisher, I have been in a gravitational pull toward biographies of all kinds. This one is of exceptional interest to me since my heritage is German Russian.

Like many of us with this ancestry, I have read a number of books about Catherine the Great. I didn’t think there was much more I could learn about her life. And,I wouldn’t have considered reading another Catherine book except for two reasons.

First, my daughter told me about this new book. I was impressed that she heard about it, so I checked out the link she forwarded to me. It was an NPR interview with the author, Robert K. Massie, entitled “First she read, then she ruled.” This phrase accurately described Catherine’s life and I hoped the headline would inspire others to devote more time to reading. You can listen to the interview at www.npr.org/2011/11/05/141992986/catherine-the-great-first-she-read-then-she-ruled.

Second, as I listened to the interview, I realized I had read two other books by Massie: Nicholas and Alexandra and Peter the Great. These books were my first introduction to Russian history in the ‘70s and ‘80s. So, despite not planning to read another book about Catherine, Massie’s book intrigued me and I had to read it. I am glad I did.

Massie weaves together the lives of families, friends, and enemies of the Russian court, and makes the complicated and treacherous political maneuvers easily understandable. He builds full personalities of all the major players in Catherine’s life. Their motives, favors and eccentricities are well documented and balanced without making caricatures of them. His details guide the most knowledgeable Catherine fans to deepen their understanding of her life. Massie crafts complete personalities without fictionalizing or creating a textbook version of her life.

Due to his thorough research, Massie deftly builds a three dimensional character out of one of the saddest people in Catherine’s life, her husband, Peter III.

Peter, the pro-Prussian Prince of Holstein-Gottrop, is normally portrayed as an inept, pompous and cruel individual. While these attributes cannot be denied, Massie broadens the perspective of Peter. After his bout with smallpox, he returns to the palace and sees Catherine for the first time since his skin has been scarred. When he realizes how repulsed she is by his appearance, he is embarrassed and retreats from her. Massie evokes sympathy for Peter in this brief scene yet it does not change one’s overall opinion of him.

There are not direct references to Catherine’s Manifesto inviting Germans to settle in the Volga area, however, it is not a reason to miss this book. Massie has captured the essence of her life and survival. Her role, which was instrumental to our ancestors and to our own existence, is a worthwhile read. It is one of the best vehicles to bring a new generation to our unique history. As I mentioned, my daughter told me about the book. Isn’t that why we research and learn our history? To pass it on to our children? I am blessed to have had my daughter pass this story on to me.

Massie says he will miss Catherine after spending over eight years with her. I read the book this past month, shed tears at the end, and already miss the time I spent with her. You will, too.

Read any good books lately? "Scribbling Women"

When Harrison was let out of the crate on Thursday, he stood still for just a moment. Then ran around the house in circles like it was his personal racetrack. and, I guess it is. In his excitement, I believe he hit his foot on something when I heard a small whimper, but he trudged on not letting a minor incident damage his enthusiasm.

Healing is a process and so is life. The latest book I read, "Scribbling Women, True Tales from Astonishing Lives" demonstrates the process of how life creates writers, in particular, writers with whom you may not be familiar. But you should because these women writers set the stage for all women writers after them. They wrote when many women were barely allowed to learn to read.

Marthe Jocelyn captured my attention on the first page of her introduction. Just for the record, as I type this blog, I am sitting on my patio, the birds chirp and Harrison lays on the cool decking of the pool relaxing in the sun. Jocelyn writes:

"I like to write outside, at a table on my front porch, or even in the hammock. Sometimes I sit on a park bench and scribble away while I watch the world around me. Once in a hwile, I stay in bed on a cold winter morning, with a hot water bottle, a cup of team, and notebook across my knees. I am a professional writer. I write books for young readers and get paid for it."

Jocelyn turns to her research and explains how she came across the letters of lady Mary Wortley Montago. "As I learned and thought about Lady Mary's life, I realized that there must be dozen of other women who had written letters, or travel journals, or essays, or diaries; women whose observations, like Lady Mary's had chronicled or changed the world around them, even in very small ways."

After much research writing over three years, Jocelyn shares with us eleven women who took the time to scribble. From Sei Shonazou who lived from 965-1010 to Doris Pilkington Garimara born in 1937,these women traveled the globe and give a unique perspective into their lives. Surely, none of these women could have imagined how Jocelyn would uncover their writing much less publish it for the entire world to read. But I see Jocelyn's book as a victory for them. This book should be required reading for all writers, especially women. What we share in our diaries, blogs or stories to our children can make us immortal by what we leave behind.

Isabella Beeton lived a mere twenty-eight years yet she wrote a book with five hundred and fifty-six thousand words. Her book sold sixty thousand copies during the first year and two million within the decade. I shall be forever grateful that she standardized cooking measurement and the layout of recipes which continues today.


Life is a process we live day by day, and we need to revel and scribble in every moment of it. Whether we enjoy composing outdoors or on a couch or at a desk, it really doesn't matter where we do it. As Jocelyn wrote "What will your own story be? Get scribbling..."

Write to the Heart of the Matter...for Value Meals on the Volga

Value Meals on the Volga was my first book.

For any writer, the first book evokes special memories. The steps of the cooking, researching, writing and editing heightened my understanding of every aspect of creating a book. I learned a tremendous amount during during the process, however I learned considerably more about publishing after the book was in print.

I have an opportunity to revisit Value Meals on the Volga at a special author event at Barnes & Noble next Tuesday, November 1.

A panel of writers from the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers will discuss our writing and our published works. We will sign copies of the books which will be available for purchase. For more details, visit http://infiniteadventure.weebly.com/news--events.html

Hope to see you there!
WHEN: Tuesday NOVEMBER 1st , 2011 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Free Event
WHERE: Barnes and Noble Booksellers - 90th St., Shea Blvd., west of the 101, Scottsdale

BTW, the first sentence of Value Meals on the Volga is: "How will your grandchildren remember you?"

My Life in a Crate...Writing on Three Legs

When I last updated this blog in July, I was prepared for a relaxing one week vacation. It didn't quite turn out that way. Instead, I feel I have been living my life in a crate, both figuratively and literally.

I feel crated literally because my dog has been in a crate for the last four weeks and figuratively because my writing has been locked up in the crate with him.

Before the first weekend of vacation was over, my dog Harrison was scheduled to see the veterinarian on Monday. After two radiograms Harrison was diagnosed with dysplasia. He suffered pain from arthritis since his leg bone was out of his hip socket. Two weeks later, he had FHO (femoral head ostectomy surgery) on his back right leg. This surgery removes the ball of the bone at the top of the femur. With proper recuperation the tendons and ligaments strengthen and he can regain full use of his leg.

This little dog and his rehabilitation took over my life for the past four weeks. Not to mention how much he has taken over my household since his arrival on January 25th of this year. Harrison was 3 months old when he was found in a field by Maricopa Animal Control. I took him into my home the first day he was available for adoption.

He is a small dog, and only God knows his breed. The Maricopa Animal Control folks said he was likely a short hair Chihuahua-Terrier mix. Others have told me he looks like a Corgi, a Jack Russell terrier, a Dachshund, a Doberman pinscher and a Pit Bull. One of the veterinarians said he could be a Chihuahua and Labrador mix. But let’s not go there.

His progress has been slow, however that is normal. He has learned what it is like to be in a crate 99% of his day. Like Harrison, I felt like my writing has been crated away as I focused on him. It took more time than I imagined following the doctor's directions to a T. Harrison is a puppy and he views directions as mere suggestions to his routine. .Have you ever tried to do massage therapy on a dog? A dog that was less than anxious to have you touch his sore leg? Besides these exercises I gave up much of my writing time to spend more time with him to alleviate his boredom.

The last two weeks Harrison has been on limited leash time. He wants to walk on only three legs, so I constantly encourage him to put his "leg down." We need to walk at a pace so slow I could doze off yet it forces him to use the leg. Which is exactly the workout he needs to build up his strength.

Thursday starts the 5th week of recuperation for Harrison. He can roam freely without a leash. How will he react to his new found freedom? At eleven months old on that day, he begins a new life. He will walk unleashed for the first time without pain in his hip. Will he chase bugs for hours? Will he jump on the couch and laze in the sunlight? Will he dive into the swimming pool for the first time? Or, will he sit quietly outside the crate in shock?

As I finish this update, Harrison has no idea what lies ahead. Soon we will both be out of the crate. I cannot wait.

Read any good first sentences lately? Miss Julia's School of Beauty

"I am sick and tired of people asking how married life is treating me."

This first sentence from Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia's School of Beauty should have been my first clue. This was simply not the book for me.

I like to pick books outside my preferred genres to find out how other writers and readers live. I previously read Miss Julia Hits the Road (Southern Comedy of Manners). I found most of the characters mildly amusing and enjoyed the setting in the South where I lived for ten years. It wasn't my favorite book, but it was a fun jaunt to hear during my daily commutes. I could understand how Ross built a following of loyal southern readers.

Unfortunately The School of Beauty book left me cold. I actually skipped three of the CD discs and went straight to the final CD to confirm my view of how it would all end.

The first sentence of complaint should have been enough foreshadowing for me to have stopped the audio book immediately. Let me explain. I have been single for over eighteen years. If I had met someone since that time who was worthy of marriage, I am sure I would be married. I understand marriage is not day after day of wedded bliss. It is work, courage, understanding and a choice every day of your life.

Yet the lead character, Miss Julia, follows this complaint with page after page of lament. And, she has only been married for three weeks. She does her best to try to lose the best thing that ever happened to her. Miss Julia has plenty of money to live without working for the rest of her life. She has friends and family and a man who loves her (only God knows why) at her side. Her rants about her perceived problems continue until the final page of the book. I think the better title for Miss Julia's School of Beauty should more aptly be Miss Julia's School of Ungratefulness.

I realize Ross's followers may disagree but I cannot find humor nor interest in this book or its outcome. I only hope her other books do not follow this same pattern. There is a lot to be said for gratitude and I hope Miss Julia finds it.

Read any good first sentences lately? "I am shown into a small, drab room, told to sit down and wait."

"I am shown into a small, drab room, told to sit down and wait."

I love this first sentence because it makes me want to know more. Who showed this person into the room? How old it this person? Where are they? What are they waiting for? Are they a man or woman? How long will they have to wait?

Tatiana de Rosnay wrote this first sentence to start her book A Secret Kept. The story revolves around the Rey family told from the perspective of Antoine Rey, a recently divorced architect. His journey takes him back to his childhood and forgotten memories which lead him to investigate the secrets of his families' past

Antoine's perspective and actions are so honest it sometimes hurts to read it, yet anyone who has tried to dig up the past knows the desire for the truth outweighs the pain.

After the first sentence, de Rosnay continues: "Six empty brown plastic chairs face each other on tired linoleum. In a corner, a fake green plant, shiny leaves coated with dust. I do as I am told. I sit down. My thighs tremble. My palms feel clammy, my throat parched. My head throbs. I think, I should call our father now, I should all him before it gets too late. But my hand makes no effort to grab the phone in the pocket of my jeans. Call our father and tell him what? Tell him how?"

This intriguing paragraph paves the way for the rest of the de Rosnay's adventure. Readers, writers and family historians alike will be glued to the Rey family history from the first sentence until the end on page 303. I love this book not only for it's great first sentence, but for the raw emotion it evokes as a seeker of the truth investigates his family's history and relationships.

"Heard" any good first sentences lately? Midnight in Paris

"Out of the past was the name of the store and its products consisted of memories."
Gil Pender, Midnight in Paris

I have seen the movie “Midnight in Paris” three times in the last three weeks.

Confession: No, I am not a Woody Allen fanatic. Yes, I have seen some of his movies. No, I don’t have to go to his movies on opening weekend. And, yes, you need to make some time over the next few weeks to see this film.

There are many reasons to enjoy this movie and, not in any particular order, here are seven.

1) Paris. Exquisite scenes of Paris. Walking in Paris, talking in Paris, eating in Paris. After a few minutes you will feel like you are actually in Paris.

2) Rachel McAdams. This actress is one of my absolute favorites. She captures each character she portrays so effortlessly, you may not realize all of the films in which you have seen her. The Notebook, The Family Stone, Mean Girls, The Time Traveler’s Wife to name just a few.

3) Owen Wilson. I am a fan of both The Royal Tenenbaums and Zoolander. Go figure. Wilson plays Gil Pender, the screenwriter turned novelist who is the protagonist of the story. He appears to effortlessly capture the “Woodiness” of Gil Pender, the screenwriter turned novelist who is the protagonist of the story.

4) Writers of all shapes and sizes. Writers who talk about writing, live writing and love writing. Writers I grew up with during school assignments or as I rambled through the library looking for classics to fill my summer reading list.

5) \Art, artists and art history. This movie should be required viewing for any art student. Period.

6) The sound of rain falling in Paris. I will leave it at that.

7) One of the best first sentences for a novel not in a novel. Pender, in Woody Allen tradition, is unsure of his book and literary talent. My favorite part of the film is when Gertrude Stein reads aloud the first sentence of Penders manuscript, the only part we hear. Stein says:

“Out of the past was the name of the store

and its products consisted of memories.”

You knew I was going to return to the first sentence. I have heard there are no coincidences, but to be writing for weeks about first sentences and to experience a first sentence in a movie feels like serendipity. Stein, Hemingway and Pender all realize the value of the first sentence. Gil fears ridicule when it is read aloud however the character Adriana immediately loves it and “is hooked.” I was hooked, too. I was hooked, too.

The first sentence of a book in a movie which encompasses the crux of the film. Brilliant. Just brilliant. Could I have asked for anything more as I continue my quest of first sentences? I think not.