Party of the Year!

I want to tell you about one of the Best Parties in Boston.  Each year about this time the organization Helping Hands Monkey Helpers throws their fund raiser. It’s truly fabulous. The food featured is by some of the best chefs/restaurants in Boston. They all get together to participate in what has become one of the stellar events this city has to offer.

Ever since I met David Sedaris (yes, the David Sedaris) at one of their events, I have been a volunteer. I can walk, and move about all day long any way I’d like. But there are those who are confined to a wheel-chair or disabled with spinal cord injuries. These monkey helpers (actual capuchin monkeys) make a difference in their lives. The lovely little creatures help them with daily activities like opening doors, switching the lights off and on, and even turning the pages of a book. I feel supporting this organization is a good thing to do. And the money raised goes to sending the Monkey’s to the Monkey College so they can learn how to help their recipients.

This Saturday September 28^th is the event. It runs from 6-9 at the WGBH Studios.  You might see some of Boston’s best party people while enjoying live music and a superb a wine tasting bar and spirited cocktails! It’s quite a scene.

Please join us. I promise you will have a wonderful evening. And, as you stroll about the event you will be helping those who can’t.

Just hit the link below for more info. And, if you already have plans you can still contribute and participate in the live auction. You won’t believe how much fun some of the items are. Take a peek now and see for yourself. Thank you in advance for those of you who can make it and to those of you who contribute online.

 http://www.monkeyhelpers.org/

 

 

A GOOD PLACE TO BE...

with world famous author David Sedaris who just happens to be my writing idol

I am in a pretty good place for an unpublished writer. Agents all over the country are interested in my work! I have a manuscript and book proposals out there at agent’s request. Yippee! However, this did not happen over night…

I have been paying my dues as a writer for some time now. I have written several screenplays (not produced yet), and have been killed with enthusiasm from Hollywood. One producer told me “Your work is so refreshing and funny, but we are not doing any more animal movies.” This was long before Beverly Hills Chihuahua and the twenty other films like it. I have handled my share of rejection from the best of them, including Disney and Warner Bros. I am part of a dedicated and sometimes grueling writing group. It’s not always easy to write the same chapter over and over again twenty times. I now have a polished manuscript, a blog, and the start of a second book, with outlines for a third and fourth. It’s a passion that could easily keep me busy if I did nothing but write. And, I have not made any money from writing yet. I do it all for love. However, anything is possible with hard work and drive. I have given that pound of flesh they say all writers must give, and the “ten years” of paying your dues and building your craft that Dennis Lehane talks about. In my case, it’s been even longer. I am poised for my big break. I visualize getting discovered and signing with an agent soon.

Thank you to all of you, please keep reading. I don’t just write for myself. What is a writer without readers? I value your time, interest, and commitment. Thanks for hitching your wagon to the Renee-A-Palooza Pony Express. We do have a lot of fun don’t we? And, as a bonus, we stay Ageless along the way. Aunty agrees. She is in the living room puffing on her fake cigarette, not looking anywhere close to 90!

Your comments are welcome ….please don’t be shy… Is there something you are working hard at too? Are you getting closer to your goal? Do you smoke a fake cigarette?

For more on how I met David Sedaris click here

Me Talk Pretty To Dave...

David Sedaris & Renee Gold

When the local book store ran a contest to win a chance to meet my writing Idol, David Sedaris, I set my sights on winning. Mr. Sedaris has gained an international audience for his top selling books and collections of stories such as Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked. His books (seven million in print) are little barriers to bad karma. When you hold them all you do is laugh.

I started my crusade to nab the coveted prize by going to church to pray I would win, and brought my favorite pen (the one I would fill the entry form with) into the pew. Then I had Aunty and all her good energy chant over the entry box. I did too. We almost got thrown out of the store. I officially entered the contest on a Wednesday, the day Dave was born. Since I believed I would win, I was not too surprised when I did. The event was going to be held on my birthday, May 3rd.

For the next few weeks I envisioned hanging out with Dave. We really have a lot in common. Maybe he would offer to refer me to his Agent when he found out I have been paying my own writing dues for years and have a sparkling manuscript to boot. Having lived in Manhattan myself, I could sense the camaraderie and laughter as we swapped New York Stories. And, surely he would want to meet Ageless Aunty… everybody does.

At the party Aunty and I traipsed around enjoying lots of fancy appetizers (some of which aunty put in her purse). We sipped champagne celebrating my birthday and good fortune. It was all to raise money for a charity called Helping Hands (www.monkeyhelpers.org/) a creative organization providing trained monkey’s to help the lives of people who can not use their arms or legs. Everything was exceptional as I had expected.

What was so surprising was Dave’s reaction. I had imagined us sitting in a corner talking shop. But, Mr. Sedaris did not want anything to do with me. He seemed to sense my hunger for wanting to get published and stayed clear away. I tried to sneak up behind him, but someone always started talking to me, or complementing Aunty on her boa and high-heels. As I watch Mr. Sedaris mingle with the organizers and a few guests, but never looking my way, I knew I only had a certain amount of time before my chances would be gone for good. So, with a waiter hiding behind a plant, I just screamed out… ‘Dave, Aunty wants to meet you!” I mean come on, look at all those pictures of Ageless Aunty… She is irresistible. By golly, it worked. Dave looked up, I stood beside him, and to complete the coup, the waiter jumped out of the faux bush and snapped a photo of me with Dave. You can see it above. There is even a hint of a smile on the author’s face.

What a token of good luck to have a picture of me with the Rock Star of the Publishing World right on my desk. Every day there I am with Dave Sedaris! The image of the two of us framed forever and attached to a small typewriter….All because I willed it into being and clearly envisioned it. Next time we meet, I will be published too, and the mega-star will talk to me. “Maybe he will want a picture with you,” Aunty suggests. I see that too, which certainly makes it a possibility…