Katherine Mankiller

Constructing a Narrative

I didn't write much last year, and the reason why is that I was constructing a different kind of narrative. My mother died unexpectedly last year while I was at WisCon, and finding a way to tell yourself the story in a way that makes sense is an important part of grief. Unfortunately, the whole thing was so sudden and unexpected, and so followed by the near death of my father and the death of my friend who was my primary support during this time that I feel like I need to instead retell the story of who I am.

I have, however, learned a lot of things about how much of what I think of as myself is a construct. Having the ground yanked away from under your feet will do that to you.

I've also learned that I have a deep psychological need to write, even if it's just a sentence a night. I think that part of the that is that I like fiction better than life because fiction makes sense. Life seldom does. Life tells the truth, but it's a dry, factual truth. Fiction tells you the truth in a way that won't hurt you.

It's almost the spring equinox, and I am Persephone, returning from the dead. Only it's a sort of reversed version of the story, with Demeter in the earth, and my return is leaving her behind. And the ground opened up beneath me last spring. And I'm not quite back yet.

But I will be.

Um. Wow!

I'm a little freaked out, but in a good way. As bizarre as it feels for me to write this, I'm apparently Nebula-eligible and John Klima of Electric Velocipede is providing my story "Grandfather Paradox" among the issues he's giving to SFWA members to read.

http://blog.electricvelocipede.com/2009/12/attention-sfwa-members.html

It has me in it!

If you want to buy the copy of Electric Velocipede that has me in it, its available here.

Dragoncon readings!

I'll be reading with the Broad Universe group at Dragoncon!

The Lit Track Reading is on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 7:30 PM; Fairlee - Hyatt Regency Hotel

The Alternate History Track Reading is MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 11:30AM; Piedmont - Hyatt Regency Hotel

Me, reading "Grandfather Paradox"

Some of you may remember this being the story I read at WisCon 2008. It's in Electric Velocipede 17/18, hooray!

Note to survivors: It's possible that my story may be triggering.

Why, yes.

Jennifer Pelland and I did stuff dollar bills into Geoff Ryman's waistband at the Tiptree Auction. Why do you ask?

Spotted in the Wild!

Check it out! It's the issue of Electric Velocipede with ME! spotted in the WisCon dealer's room at the Wheatland Press table. I now have my own copy to hug and squeeze and call George. Squee!