6/17/05

MIM EICHLER RIVAS and VICTOR RIVERS

Mim Eichler Rivas shares a fascinating and true story in BEAUTIFUL JIM KEY: The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World.

"The book tells the story of Jim Key, a sickly, spindly colt who grew to be one of post Civil War America's most beloved public figures, 'the most wonderful horse in the world', as he was often billed in his numerous appearances. We also follow the almost impossibly dramatic journey of Dr William Key, the horses' owner, from slavery to wealthy veterinarian to famous performer to savvy entrepreneur. Not only the story of an extraordinary horse and an equally extraordinary man, it also evokes the tragic and tumultuous conditions during the Civil War and the subsequent Reconstruction. In a time when America was trying to heal from the most devastating divisions, Dr Key and his wonderful horse were true uniters regardless of race or party --or even species."

And Mim's husband, author, actor and activist, Victor Rivas Rivers, has just released a new memoir entitled A PRIVATE FAMILY MATTER, a "powerful chronicle of how the author escaped the war zone of family violence -- too often regarded as a 'private family matter' -- and was saved by love, when most people considered him beyond rescue. Though at times his journey is heartbreaking and disturbing, it is ultimately a triumphant testament to humanity, courage and love."

For more info on Victor Rivas Rivers, go to www.victorrivers.com

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One of our regular features at FRESH DAILY will be FRESH ANSWERS where readers can ask any of their favorite FRESH YARN CONTRIBUTORS a question regarding writing. Today, JILL SOLOWAY, author and film and TV writer/producer (Six Feet Under) ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION...

A FRESH YARN READER from Boston, MA asks: "You're a writer who has achieved success in three genres -- television, film and now prose. Would you say you prefer one over the other? Does one form resonate more than another? And if you could achieve success beyond your wildest dreams in only one, which would it be?"

JS: Success in my wildest dreams would be making scads of money to write essays. It's so fun and therapuetic and easy for me. I don't even think when I do it, just let my fingers relieve the anxiety of emotional lonliness. Explaining every little crevice of what I see when I look at the world is a relief and I can do it morning noon or night. I am trying to get better at it -- meaning letting go more... allowing more poetry into my writing instead of neurotic description.

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Watch out for Jill's new book, coming out in September, Tiny Ladies in Shiny Pants. For more info go to www.jillsoloway.com

Do YOU have a question for a FRESH YARN contributor? If so, send them to freshdaily@freshyarn.com and when we launch, later this year, we'll do our best to ANSWER them.

KATIE FORD

We asked multi-talented writer (Desperate Housewives, Miss Congeniality, etc.) and FRESH YARN contributor Katie Ford some questions:

FY: You started as a stand-up at a very young age, how did you make the transition from writing jokes to writing scripts?

KF: You didn't mention my illistrious minicareer as a child actress in Canada. I first wanted to (God help me) act -- so the first thing I wrote (when I was 18) was a pilot I was to star in. Shockingly, it never got off the ground, but I realized, a) I'd rather sit home and write in my sweats than have to go to a Diet Pepsi audition in a bathing suit and b) I loved writing.

FY: Do you remember who it was that first acknowledged your gift for writing? What did they say?

KF: It was a man named Joe Partington -- he produced a Canadian Sitcom (what? what are those?) and he was the first one I gave my pilot to -- he said "You are a real writer".

FY: Are you able to share of yourself through writing for TV and movies? How is the personal essay form different for you?

KF: The personal essay form is obviously the most true form. It is like the condensed version of my voice -- the other forms have the version after you add water. TV -- as a writer in episodic TV your assignemt it to write to the voice of the show or the creator of the show and lend your own voice to it. Movies are a bigger beast -- again, my goal is to lend my voice to the piece, to the story, but I am fully aware of the other components I am serving. It is rarely "this happened to me" kind of sharing of myself -- again, more of lending my voice as part of a collaboration.

FY: Has anyone ever described your work (in a review, etc.) in a way that totally missed the point or surprised you? Don't say who, but tell us what.

KF: After living through reviews by Canadian Critics (I won't say who, but her name rhymes with Antonia Zerbesias -- oh, wait, maybe that was her name), I decided not to read reviews. Although, did you see the raves I got for Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie? Oops, I didn't either.

FY: If E! Entertainment Television decided to turn the camera on writers and they were going to do YOUR "E True Hollywood Story," what would be something SHOCKING that they would exploit and use to get viewers to tune in?

KF: That when I was 15, Keanu Reeves wanted to date me. And I used to love the Bay City Rollers.

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Katie Ford started writing for television on Family Ties. She went on to create and Executive Produce a hit series for Canadian television (she is aware that is an oxymoron). The series, Material World, won Canada's Gemini Award for Best Comedy and a Women in Film and Video Award. Katie then wrote and produced for various U.S. television shows and has written several television movies including ABC's Mary and Rhoda for Mary Tyler Moore and Valerie Harper, and Redhead:The Life of Lucille Ball for CBS.

She co-wrote the film Miss Congeniality and wrote and produced a six-hour miniseries for ABC based on the first Little House on the Prairie novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Katie was also recently a writer/producer on Desperate Housewives.

MICHELLE BOYANER

A note from FRESH YARN creator, editor and host, Hillary Carlip:

When we launch FRESH DAILY, SHOUT-OUTS will be a section where we will acknowledge and announce exciting things like so and so got a book deal, a FRESH YARN contributor won some award, whatev.

But today I want to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to FRESH DAILY's Sr. Editor, Michelle Boyaner. She has worked tirelessly on finding and compiling fresh material to bring to you daily. It's a ton of work and we here at FRESH YARN do it all for free simply because we love the art form of the personal essay, and want to support the amazing writers doing it (as well as the readers who love to read them!)

Besides being a brilliant essay writer (check out two of her pieces on FRESH YARN -- Oh Mother, Where Art Thou? and Lost and Found), Michelle is also a talented screenwriter and award-winning film maker (for more go to www.greeniefilms.com.)

I know she's not gonna be pleased that I am going on and on about her because she is an extremely humble person, but -- a) I couldn't do FRESH DAILY without her and, b) she has always gone above and beyond to help out (she's done so much for FRESH YARN, too), and c) she's the best kind of friend a girl (or boy) could have. So therefore, she gets the very first SHOUT-OUT! M to the B, thanks for EVERYTHING! XOX HC

I'd also like to give a SHOUT-OUT to Kim Brittingham, another extremely talented writer and FRESH YARN contributor, who, despite us not even knowing each other personally, one day offered to proof read all the pieces going up on FRESH YARN. She has so kindly taken the time to do so on each installment. She's got quite the eagle eye and I so appreciate her help.

And THANKS to all you FRESH YARN readers and fans. We look forward to FRESH DAILY returning in the fall, and, in the meantime, will continue bringing you new essays every three weeks with FRESH YARN.