This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Susan Merson will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Okay, this may be a fun one! Hold on to your hat.
1: SLEPT WITH A WORLD FAMOUS MOVIE STAR
Hard to believe at this stage of the game but when I was young I was a starlet on the New York stage. The role I created was of a sexy, pissed off, Texas cheerleader turned rebellious art gallery owner and the show was a bit of a sensation off Broadway. It launched the career of a household name, but who’s telling?
Being a show about three girls becoming women in the midst of the feminist movement, and being written, directed and designed by a coterie of ultra fabulous gay men, the show attracted lots of famous people. One particularly famous lothario showed up, with two women on his arm. He came backstage and greeted us all, noting our names and smiling the impish imperialist smile of a stalker—pre Harvey Weinstein. In those days, it was supposed to be a compliment.
The story goes on and its juicy, but I’ll just tease it here. Truth is stranger than fiction!
2: GHOSTS HAVE BEEN REGULAR HELPERS
First time was when I was taking my final curtain call from the stage of the (then) Martin Beck Theatre. It was the closing night of my first Broadway show, directed by Franco Zefirelli. I was 24 and it had been my lifelong dream to appear on Broadway. My dad was always my greatest supporter. He had produced Grand Opera during World War 2, had worked for the Royal American Sideshows, knew all the clowns and roadies when the circus came to town. He died when I was 19 and it was my first big and devastating loss. Nevertheless, I followed my dream and somehow, I auditioned for the Zefireilli show and got the job. On that night from the stage. as I looked up and out at the audience, I saw my father, big as life—maybe bigger- grinning at me from the back of the theatre. He was bright and clear and proud as he could be.
3: I READ AND TEACH TAROT
Have always been an intuitive and have done cards since the days when the Theosophical Society in the East 50’s featured teaching groups with tweedy enthusiasts who came together to share their secrets. Recently, I have started to teach tarot for writers, showing folks how intuitive cues can jumpstart their writing and even help to create storylines and character arcs. Check that out at my website, www.susanmerson.com. I have studied at the Arthur Finlay College in London, run by Spiritualists, to explore the world of channeling and the passing of knowledge from one era to another.
4: PILATES, YOGA AND REALITY
I was never very athletic and hated anything that asked me to be coordinated and graceful when I was a kid. Until I found yoga in my 40’s. It changed my life. For my fiftieth birthday, I became a certified yoga instructor. Since then, I have studied Feldenkrais, and am certified to teach Mat classes in Pilates.
Unfortunately, before I found these disciplines I sought perfection with Jane Fonda at her Robertson Ave studio in Los Angeles. There were too many people in too small a room. On hands and knees we were all instructed to kick right. But, the person next to me kicked left and directly into me. Unstable, I tumbled into a herniated disc, which has defined my ongoing challenges with mobility ever since.
5: I LIVE NEXT TO A HAUNTED MANSION
It’s true that they say that the woman who once owned the historic house in the park next to my cobblestoned street, appears often on her balcony, overlooking the Harlem River. I have never seen her but I have it on good authority. It’s also the spot where Washington commanded the Battle of Harlem Heights and where Lin Manuel Miranda wrote bits of HAMILTON. Aaron Burr lived in that famous house, too. But, I haven’t seen him floating around. He divorced the owner of the house, who threw him out, never to be seen again.
Starting over is hard enough but when ghosts decide to hitch a ride into the future—things can get complicated.
Widowed Vivi leaves California for a new start back east landing in a college town near her old friend Vikram, now the local ‘spiritual’ leader and disappointing lover. But the two have old business which leads them to uncovering the ghosts they conjured long before and the ones that are haunting them now. Vivi reclaims her life, -- with the help of a couple different dimensions-- saying hi to the ghosts who choose to hang around, and growing a new garden and a new life
Read an Excerpt
They climb into Vikram’s old Saab. The dope has worn off but the sugar high has not. Vikram reaches into his pocket. He brings out a little statue of an Indian god and goddess. He hands it to Vivi.
“A wedding present.”
“Gosh, this guy has four arms.”
“Yes,” Vikram says. “Doesn’t she look happy?”
Vivi blushes. “Never mind,” she says.
Vikram slides his arm along the top of the seat and pulls her close. Vivi isn’t sure.
“Don’t worry. It’s freezing. We can keep each other warm.”
Viv slides closer and feels the warmth of his body. She snuggles in. He is so tall and it feels good to be smaller than, to be surrounded by.
“Jake is shorter than you,” she says. “I’m not used to being surrounded.”
“The more to keep you safer, my dear.” Vikram says with a soft smile.
“So, tell me about this. Who are these guys?” She is referring to the small statue.
“It’s the perfect wedding gift. Vishnu and Lakshmi are devoted to each other. She is the goddess of prosperity, purity and generosity. The embodiment of beauty, grace and feminine charm.”
“Just like me,” says Vivi.
“Just like you,” he echoes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Susan Merson
began her career as an actress on and off Broadway, in television and film.
Co-founding the LA Writers Bloc in 1985 with award winning writer Jane
Anderson, she has mentored writers through the Bloc and through her private and
university classes in Playwriting, Life Stories, Writing as a Spiritual
Practice, Tarot for Writers and the popular VOICING Series. Her short fiction
has been featured in The Jew in America, Nice Jewish Girls (Penguin), The
Worcester Review, the Chicken Soup series and several other online platforms. As a playwright, her award-winning plays have
been performed internationally, including her 8 solo plays featured and used as
example in YOUT NAME HERE: An Actor Writers Guide to Solo Performance.
(Amazon). Long form fiction available on Amazon is her award-winning blog, WHEN
THEY GO AND YOU DO NOT and her first novel DREAMING IN DAYLIGHT. OH GOOD NOW THIS, her newest novel launches
12/1/21. She is a tarot reader and counselor, a maker of quilts, clothing and
whimsy. Susan is a humble mother and a
proud resident of New York City.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/susanmersonauthor
WEBSITE: http://www.susanmerson.com
BUY LINKS:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../oh-good-now.../1138532579
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1546617489
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Now-This-Susan.../dp/B08RCXVNTX/
The author has also done a series of five videos regarding the use of Tarot for writers (for more information, visit her website):
1: Author/ teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/ Amazon) explores Tarot to jump start your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS #1: INTRODUCTION
An introduction to using your own intuitive powers to tap into the resonance of Tarot images, packed with archetypes and symbols, to jumpstart inspiration for your artistic projects.
**CORRECTION: The Raziel Tarot Deck is designed by artist Robert Place with commentary by Rachel Pollack. https://youtu.be/LGONsfOayJg
2: Author/teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/Amazon), explores TAROT cards to jumpstart your writing, TAROT FOR WRITERS #2: LANDSCAPE
Explore the landscape of story. Entering the world of the card offers visceral clues to the landscape of your writing. https://youtu.be/Mwq9x-I9oQE
3: Author/ teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/ Amazon) explores TAROT cards to jump start your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS #3: CHARACTER.
A brief exploration of character and how to find their first basic journey. Look deeply at the character clues in the cards and throw three cards to begin their adventure. https://youtu.be/CuovTNQ5ztk
4: Author/teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/AMAZON) explores TAROT cards to jump start your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS #4: WHAT STORY SHOULD I WRITE TODAY
On pulling cards to intuitively discover the story, the genre, the themes and the major turning points of a new story. https://youtu.be/eHm0mVSNaPo
5: Author/teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/AMAZON) explores TAROT to jumpstart your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS/ #5 TIMELINES AND DEEPER DIVE INTO RELATIONSHIPS
Timelines and going deeper into relationships with pro and antagonists. The more cards you draw the more information you can gather. https://youtu.be/EClPq0e-H70
Thanks for hosting!
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