This facilitated group is open to all writers of fiction and creative
non-fiction who want a serious group to provide constructive criticism\,
motivational exercises\, and interpersonal accountability to keep their
writing on track. We do in group exercises and critiques with an eye
towards individual improvement and the eventual goal of
publication. Writers are encouraged to bring copies of their work to
share for critique. Please direct inquiries to elizabeth@chariscircle.org.
On December 10th 2009\, The Washington Post
published a front-page profile of Helena that was hugely popular and
prompted responses from The Huffington Post\, Jezebel\, and Racialicious.
In the article\, “Single Minded Success\,” Helena explained her work\,
life and love\: “What I am trying to say about single black women is\,
you don't know them as well as you think you do. They may not know
themselves as well as they think they do.”
Her first book\, a memoir told in parts titled Bitch Is the New Black\, chronicles
Helena’s journey from the kidnapped daughter of the town lesbian to the
Washington reporter who can’t remember a single senator’s name\, to the
girl who runs her love life on G-chat. “I’m pretty much pants-ing
myself here\,” says Helena about Bitch Is the New Black\,
“daring folks to look at the hole-ly Hanes of my life as a metaphor for
the rest of the women who look like me or think like me.”
The film rights to Bitch Is the New Black have already been optioned by Grey's Anatomy
creator Shonda Rhimes\, who will produce the project for Fox Searchlight
Pictures. Helena will write the screenplay. Rhimes called the book
“outrageously funny and heartbreakingly honest.” Don't miss your chance to meet this hilarious and provocative author.
Charis &\; Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open
mic &\; reading series on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Hosted by
the anarchic spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis\, members of
the Art Amok Slam Team\, this series cultivates the voices of authors\,
novices and an assortment of poets\, songstresses and storytellers
The Akoma Book Club (of Women Healing Women) is open to any woman
seeking camaraderie with like-minded women for fun\, self-empowerment
and growth. Even if you haven't read the book\, but are willing to talk
about the principles in the book\, you can join us for a lively discussion. July's book pick is The Survivor Personality by Al Siebert. When faced with adversity\, tragedy\, or just bad karma\, what makes one
person crumble\, another survive\, and another thrive? Al Siebert first
became interested in this question when he discovered that World War II
combat survivors were less like Sylvester Stallone in Rambo and more like Alan Alda playing Hawkeye\, the irreverent M.A.S.H.
surgeon. Years of subsequent research taught Seibert that those who
survive (and thrive) often respond to challenge with humor\, wisdom\, and
mental and emotional flexibility. No\, life isn't fair\, but Siebert
shows us the tricks to regaining our stability in a world that seems
hell-bent on knocking us off track.
Join us for a very special Faiths and Feminisms with Dr. Bobbi Patterson\, professor of Religion at Emory University as she shares her faith journey.
Daily living can be tough –
even amid joys and dancing. I thought by trying to ignore the
things that set me off\, I’d be kinder and gentler with others and
myself. But it turns out that by learning to let go of my perfectionism\,
I gained more insight into my “imperfections.” Those trigger
points of irritation and despair became invitations to healing and wholeness.
Insights from Christian and Buddhist
contemplative traditions drew me to this journey of practicing imperfection.
I am learning practices that help me open up to the fullest experiences
of living alone and with others\, listening completely to conflict\, discerning
sources of pain\, and realizing the causes of my own suffering.
How helpful this seeming paradox is\: to become motivated for compassion’s
sake to embrace stability in imperfection for love.
Don't miss this very special evening with Clark University professor Daniel Omotosho Black\, whose new novel\, A Perfect Peace\, explores the complexities of gender and sexuality in one rural southern African American family.
Emma Jean Peace had always wanted
a girl\, but after birthing her sixth boy\, she swore she would never
be pregnant again as she is going through “the change.” Unexpectedly\,
she becomes pregnant yet again and gives birth to her seventh boy in
May of 1940. Possessed by her wish to have a daughter and angry
at God for so denying her\, Emma Jean declares the baby is her daughter
at last\, naming her Perfect. She then threatens her midwife to
keep her secret from her family and the community.
When Perfect turns eight\, Emma Jean
tells her bewildered daughter\, “You was born a boy. I made
you a girl. But that ain't what you was supposed to be. So\, from now
on\, you gon' be a boy. It'll be a little strange at first\, but you'll
get used to it\, and this'll be over after while.” From this
point forward\, his life becomes a bizarre kaleidoscope of events.
Meanwhile\, the Peace family is forced to question everything they thought
they knew about gender\, sexuality\, unconditional love\, and fulfillment.
This facilitated group is open to all writers of fiction and creative
non-fiction who want a serious group to provide constructive criticism\,
motivational exercises\, and interpersonal accountability to keep their
writing on track. We do in group exercises and critiques with an eye
towards individual improvement and the eventual goal of
publication. Writers are encouraged to bring copies of their work to
share for critique. Please direct inquiries to elizabeth@chariscircle.org.
This facilitated group discusses books which feature queer characters/storylines as well as a strong attention to literary craft and style. July's pick is The Big Bang Symphony by Lucy Jane Bledsoe\, the author of several books including the novel\, Biting the Apple. Her newest novel\, The Big Bang Symphony\: a Novel of Antarctica
is a story about three women - a geologist\, a composer\, and a galley
worker - who have taken jobs in Antarctica. As they each fall in love
and into trouble\, their lives become more and more entwined - until one
crisis binds them in friendship for life. Come with questions prepared to email the author!