Lori L. Tharps

Okay, I'm entering into week two of revision month. I've stayed mostly on track of revising 10 pages a day last week. I only finished seven pages on Friday, but made up for it over the weekend. I will not fail. Here's what's written on the wall in front of my desk: SACRIFICE. FOCUS. SUCCESS. HAPPINESS. I must keep them always in mind.

 

Right now, Obama is my muse. His dream was so much bigger than mine. I can do this. Yes I Can.

Thanks for tuning in!

Dear readers,

I am embarking on a stressful, yet exciting journey called revising my first novel. Yes, I've taken the plunge into fiction. For my first attempt, I've written a story for middle-grade readers ( I thought it was YA but was told my voice is too innocent for today's teen market!) about a mixed-race teen who gets a chance to spend the summer with her paternal relatives (the Black side of the family) whom she's been estranged from her whole life.

The story (big surprise here) deals with race and identity, but it's also about love and family and friendship. Oh, and it takes place in Milwaukee and Brooklyn, my two former homes but I swear on a stack of Bibles that the story is in no way autobiographical. Just to prove it, the main character is a serious ballerina and I was kicked out of ballet when I was five-years old for having bad posture.

Provided I get my revisions completed by the end of November, the book will be published by HarperCollins. So if you have a moment, send me a note encouraging me to stay focused. I will get through this.

Thanks!

The clock is ticking for the launch party of my new clothing and accessories line, ?RU. Check out the link on the side to see what it's all about and anyone in the Philadelphia area is welcome to attend our Launch Party this Thursday, October 30 from 5:30 - 7:00pm at Infusion Coffee Shop in Mt. Airy. Costumes optional.

I'm excited!

I'm just practicing for my latest project which will be revealed here next week. But learning how to play with web design has its advantages. I love my new look. What do you think?

Did you love watching In Living Color in the 90's? I did. My girlfriends and I would all crowd into one tiny dorm room in college, to watch the Wayans family's hilarious sketch comedy show. Even though I can't dance, I had secret fantasies of running away to Hollywood to get a job as a Fly Girl on that show. If only...

So you can imagine how stoked I was to meet Ms. Kim Wayans herself last spring at the first annual Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival in Los Angeles. She and her husband were there to promote their new series of books for young readers. I bought one of her books for my son and she purchased a copy of Kinky Gazpacho. We shared a few words but nothing significant. I didn't confess, for example, my fly girl fantasies. So the other day, I checked my email and there was the nicest message from Kim. She wrote me a nice long email to tell me she LOVED Kinky Gazpacho! No joke. I was so pleased because not only do I think Kim Wayans is a really cool person, but she's also a mighty fine writer herself. If you don't believe me, check out her clever new Amy Hodgepodge series of books about a unique little girl with a multi-culti family.

Thanks for the love Kim!