bLk SF revolutionaries

bLk SF revolutionaries, originally uploaded by andresist.

Octavia Butler @ Hueman Bookstore, Harlem.

Some highlights:

Octavia suggests writer's block can be overcome by (1) running away from home/wherever you write regularly and writing some place you don't normally (2) getting a pet - they'll love you no matter if you write or not, and (3) falling in love 'cause you're already miserable anyways.

She's thinkin bout writing another Parable novel with the likely title being Parable of the Trickster.

I asked her what was her inspiration for Larkin's characer, Olamina's long-seperated daughter. I was particularly interested in her answer to this question as Larkin's critical voice of her mother stood out and really made - at least to me - Olamina's character that much more human. Octavia said that she based Larkin and Olamina's relationship on her own relationship with her mother who had recently passed away at the time she was writing the book. She said she held a lot of anger toward her mom and Larkin's character helped her to voice it.

She signed Parabale of the Sower and Talents, "To Andre, Best Wishes."

I gave her autographed copies of Descendants of Freedom playbook and DVD. She thanked me.

By that time, my joy/spirit had already taken root in the stars.

Light,