I was already teaching Human Sexuality in 1974 in NYC when Erica Jong's Fear of Flying first came out and I'd had some of the same experiences she had. I said I can write a bestselling book like that.
How long have you been writing?
Since 5th grade ... and of course in academia for decades, but as a 'final career" studying writing and freelancing professionally? dreaming of the day it could provide a living "ha!" ... about 20 years. I got $25 and a free book for a Christmas story in a Harlequin Anthology last year, and the column I write for the new magazine "Crone: Women Coming of Age" www.cronemagazine.com is only $50 on a a good year.
Who inspired you, Pat, and do you belong to any groups that inspire your writing?
Erica Jong, Henry Miller, Joseph Campbell .. many other classics that I'm too old to remember ..
I've taken and taught writing circles at CSU Monterey Bays Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) .. and have studied with some marvelous teachers: Luis Valdez, and Jack Grapes in LA.
Ellen Bass in Santa Cruz.
Please tell us where you live and what do you like to do in your spare time?
I just moved to Aromas 6 months ago and love it. It's just what we former Fort Ord residents wanted: warmer, lighter, a view and a community. LOVE IT.
I'd love to do stand-up comedy : an unfinished dream.
When I give myself permission to be still, I do tai chi. I also am a member of three Toastmasters clubs. And I love to just hang out with my husband and 'significant equal' of 20 years.
Where can we find your work? (blogs, website, etc.)
www.invisiblegrandparent.com (The About Me section)
Facebook PatHansonPhD and Patricia Hanson
AND first memoir: Invisible Grandparenting: Leave a Legacy of Love Whether You
can be There or Not will be available from Amazon after Nov 1st.
There are millions of Invisible Grandparents who because of personality conflicts, custody issues, distance, or consequences of choices made long ago, have no way to pass values and memories to those who mean the most to them. Born of one woman’s quest to become part of the lives of two grandchildren she has been kept from seeing, Invisible Grandparenting provides a blueprint for “virtual grandparenting.” Using letter writing as a primary tool, it is a handbook for communicating tangible and intangible gifts to our young ones, if we could. Discover how to transcend invisibility, heal separation
and transform negative energy to forgiveness.
A booksigning and reception for Pat Hanson’s just released book:
INVISIBLE GRANDPARENTING :
Leave a Legacy of Love
Whether You Can Be There or Not
WHEN: Saturday, November 16th, 2013
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Refreshments, Music & Book Signing
3:30 p.m. Reading.
WHERE: Vista Room - The Park Lane: An SRG Senior Living Community
200 Glenwood Circle – Monterey, CA 93940