Mike London

Getting around by scooter

2008-05-21T22:22:00.005-04:00

A few days ago, I saw a young woman on a small motorized scooter at the mall. She and her girl friend were going in to Starbucks for some refreshments. They were laughing and obviously having a good time. It struck me that as girls together, about seventeen years old, others could see them as they are, a couple of friends on an outing. How different it would have appeared, if the girl on the scooter, was with her mother or father. The dynamic would have sent a different message.

Stage Magic at the Bickford Theater

2008-05-04T21:42:00.006-04:00

A while back I saw a stage play in Morristown, NJ where the central character was a young woman in a wheelchair. The play was well done and I was riveted by the intricate plot. I was so convinced that this woman was a wheelchair user, that I was dumbfounded when at the end of the play, she stood up and walked across the stage to take her curtain calls.
Preconceptions and stereotypes shape our view of others and the lesson here is perhaps, we should not rush to judge others, but allow reality to reveal truth.
Interestingly, my book "A Girl Like Me' is set in Madison, NJ right next door.

Careers for women

2008-04-08T22:53:00.002-04:00

Maggie Malone went into college administration because a friend had gotten her an interview at a university. It was a good fit for a young woman with an outstanding college record. The prizes she'd won helped her get the job. Perhaps others should consider the possibilities that exist other than teaching.

Back from trip

2008-04-07T18:23:00.004-04:00

I feel I've left the characters in my book on hold. Are they waiting for me to return? Now that I'm back, I'm answering reader's questions. Many are unusual. I'll share some soon with you.

Travel time

2008-03-24T22:47:00.004-04:00

I'll be away for a few days. I've been asked to do a reading and a book signing. When the arrangements are firm, I'll post the information. Write me your thoughts if you get a chance. Thanks.

Feedback from my readers

2008-03-16T21:09:00.010-04:00

A reader told me that she enjoyed the scenes of academic life and how Maggie coped with the problems that were brought to her. She also said that Maggie's physical limitations were part of who she was and did not prevent her from living a full life which included love and romance. I love hearing from my readers. It makes me feel that "A Girl Like Me," touched someone's life.

Wheelchair Inspiration 2

2008-03-09T20:45:00.009-04:00

As the book began to take shape, it irritated me more and more that the wheelchair had this broken weld. I took it to a commercial welder in a nearby town. When I opened the trunk of the car, the three men inside all came over to see what I had. They lifted the chair out and took it inside for evaluation. I explained about the chair and how I used it in my book. They argued on how best to fix it. It was quickly repaired and then the new weld was smoothed down and polished. I tried to pay for the repair but they refused. I promised them a copy when the book was finished. Thanking them, I took the chair home and set it aside. I had it firmly in my mind. More scenes came to me and the chair receded into the background. More soon.

Wheelchair Inspiration 1

2008-03-01T22:15:00.014-05:00

February turned into March and early in April, I went to the town dump. Partly to get rid of trash and partly to take a break from writing. Someone had discarded a wheelchair which sat on top of the pile. It made me angy that someone had discarded an item which looked seviceable and could be used by others. I grabbed the chair, put it in the trunk of my car and took it home.
It had seemed okay at the dump, but on closer inspection, I found it had a broken weld. Opening the chair, I sat in it and tried to get the feel on how it worked. It was easy enough to manuever and I tried to imagine Maggie sitting in it. Whenever I felt a bit stuck in my writing, I went downstairs and sat in the chair, wheeling myself around. --More details soon.

Leap Year Thoughts, February 29

2008-02-28T22:52:00.014-05:00

I began "A Girl Like Me" in February 2006. Two years have now whizzed by and the book is now available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. No one told me that the book would take a year to write and another year to get it into print.
Upon reflection, I feel I was fortunate in NOT knowing the obstacles that lay ahead. I just went ahead wrote the book and did everything else (with help of course) that needed to be done
More soon,
Mike London

New Book News!

2008-01-31T14:04:00.002-05:00

Wolcott Press announces the bookmarks have arrived. Local libraries in Livingston, Summit and Millburn, New Jersey will have them available. Review copies of "A Girl Like Me" will be at these libraries next week. Please look for it.

I will talk about the book, read an excerpt and do a book signing. Please check back for location, date and time. See you soon, Mike London