Friday, December 20, 2013

Times They Were A-Changing


I am pleased to welcome to my blog Kate Farrell, here to introduce a wonderful, exciting women's anthology, just in time for the holidays. 

Linda Joy Myers, Kate Farrell and Amber Lea Starfire launch 
Times They Were A-Changing: Women Remember the '60s and '70s. The book is the perfect gift for opening discussions with friends and family members and illustrating what a powerful time the '60s and '70s truly were.




Forty-eight powerful stories and poems etch in vivid detail breakthrough moments experienced by women during the life-changing era that was the ’60s and ’70s. These women rode the sexual revolution with newfound freedom, struggled for identity in divorce courts and boardrooms, and took political action in street marches. They pushed through the boundaries, trampled the taboos, and felt the pain and joy of new experiences. And finally, here, they tell it like it was.Through this collection of women’s stories, we celebrate the women of the ’60s and ’70s and the importance of their legacy.

Kate Farrell shares a little more insight into this amazing anthology.




They say the planets were aligned just so in the ’60s, that the Earth was bombarded with cosmic influences, that we were witnesses to the dawning of a new age. Who can really explain the explosion of social change that did seem to come “out of the blue” and affect us all, no matter if we lived in small towns or urban centers?

When the three of us editors put our heads together to spin the stories of our memories from those times, it was surprising how much passion they still held. In some ways, our tales were the coming of age stories of any generation. But for a young woman coming of age in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the sky was the limit. There were so many ways to experiment. 

The fact that young women did participate in the counterculture or as political activists could be shocking, and it took courage and willingness to risk. That edge, that passion was still alive in how we shared our daring do with one another. To share the passion of the times and what that meant for women became our motivation as editors.

Often that meant sharing secrets. Later decades became more conventional; some ‘60s experiences were best left in the past. What was exciting about editing this anthology was remembering those wilder times, reading other women’s stories that stirred our hidden memories, cheering our authors on when they bared difficult, taboo, or unspoken experiences—ones that had shaped their lives. 

How the ‘60s & ‘70s came about, we’ll never really know. But if cosmic vibrations created them, those vibes linger and move us still. With our anthology and its authentic stories and poems, we hope to share an exciting legacy with our readers, and its spirited passion for change.



Kate Farrell earned a M.A. from UC Berkeley; taught language arts in high schools, colleges, and universities; founded the Word Weaving storytelling project in collaboration with the California Department of Education with a grant from the Zellerbach Family Fund, and published numerous educational materials. She is founder of Wisdom Has a Voice memoir project and edited Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother (2011). Farrell is president of Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter, a board member of Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club, member of Story Circle Network and National Association of Memoir Writers.


Find out more about the book online:
at Amazon 
Times They Were A-Changing blog: http://www.timestheywereachanging.com
Twitter: @womensmemoir60s

Thanks for visiting my blog today, Kate.

As always feel free to comment.








17 comments:

  1. The women who changed things in the sixties- if it hadn't been for those bold to stand, where would we be today. Sounds like a wonderful read.

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    1. I agree, Mary. Even for those of who were there, it's fascinating to read other women's experiences.

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  2. I agree Mary. And they are often unsung heroes. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Ahhh... the 60's and 70's... Definitely a time of change--some better than others. But the music. Still the best!
    Sounds like a great read.

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    1. I totally agree ! I love the music of the sixties and into the early seventies.

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  4. Ahhh, yes. The music of the sixties. Thanks for stopping by Sandy.

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  5. Sounds like a great book. I remember those years!

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    1. Interesting times for women. So much happening and changing. So glad it is being celebrated in this anthology.

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  6. Should be a great read - those were some turbulent times for sure!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, they were turbulent times and I sometimes wonder do the young women of today know! So glad for this anthology.

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  7. Thanks, Suzanne, for hosting Times They Were A-Changing on our WOW! Blog Tour. It's been an exciting time for all of us editors to first produce, then launch this anthology. We wish we could have included all the amazing stories and poems that were submitted. But those we selected do stimulate discussion, pique curiosity, perhaps give a glimpse into the counterculture that we ourselves did not experience. How could anyone participate in all that was taking place?

    With this book, the reader can travel to Woodstock, Altamont, Haight Ashbury, Greenwich Village, campus protests across the country, observe feminism in midwest homes--all from a woman's perspective. It's history, memoir, legacy, and an entertaining read!

    Peace and love,
    Kate

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  8. Thank you, Suzanne, for hosting Kate and commenting on the book. There was so much going on simultaneously that these stories help clarify, so many points of view and varied experiences. I appreciate the editors for including such diversity and helping direct our attention to it all. And the cover is beautiful! And the music! Yes - the best! I love to hear the younger people of today singing the old songs and rocking still!

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    1. Thanks, Marcia! I appreciate your comment today and at other stops along the tour. Your story, "Two Sisters," is so well written and provides such contrasting portraits with a lot of front porch drama!
      Best wishes,
      Kate

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  9. I could not put this book down with its stories told by the women determined to make their lives and the lives of others better. As Kate mentioned, the book also transported me to places all over the globe where I had no idea such change was also going on during the 60s and 70s.
    Thank you for hosting Times They Were A-Changing, Suzanne!

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    1. Thank you, Renee! It has been a wonderful tour. I know my co-editors join me in our appreciation of your work. Your enthusiasm = priceless!

      Thanks Suzanne, for hosting our book and sharing a bit of its historical setting. This is a blog with lots of personality. :)

      Best wishes,
      Kate

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  10. Renee, thank you for organizing the tour and helping to get the word out about the anthology. Your sincere enthusiasm has been evident in your comments throughout.

    And Suzanne, thank you for hosting us here on your blog. I agree with Kate -- plenty of personality and lively discussion. Love it!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Amber. It was my pleasure to host such an interesting release.

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