Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Eve of the Greatest March of All Time

This is a special night for me. 50 years ago today, thousands of people from around the nation, from all walks of life, arrived in Washington, D.C. to participate the following day in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Celebrities such as Lena Horne, Josephine Baker, Charlston Heston, and the March's organizer, A. Philip Randolph, strapped on their walking shoes to participate in the festivities, headlined by Dr. Martin Luther King, encouraged by Mahalia Jackson to "Tell them about the dream, Martin."

However, one young man missed this event. In La Rose, Book I Le Baton Chronicles, Julian Charles Chamberie sits at the bar of New Orleans' Hotel Monteleone, pissed off. His 116 year old Great-Grandmother, Lela Chevalier Roberts, has summoned him home to order her affairs, forcing him to miss the greatest humanitarian event of all times. Julian hadn't seen Lela since 10 years before when he was 14 years old, but what did he care. He had no desire to return to the home where his mother had fallen to her death.

Despite his pain and despair, Julian returns to the Chevalier Mansion to realize his emancipation and freedom in ways undreamed of through Lela's recount of their family history, beginning with the story of her father and slave owner, Augustus Chevalier, in 19th century St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. With Lela's story, Julian begins to uncover his true purpose and calling in life, as unbelievable as may be. I encourage all of you to read this story of the supernatural spiritual exploration and liberation of Julian Charles Chamberie, defying the truths which the color of his skin and radical beliefs may have attempted to convince him of in August, 1963.

Happy March. I hope to see you for a few moments tomorrow on the internet. Keep the dream alive.


Friday, August 23, 2013

Why isn't anyone talking about the March on Washington, or am I the only one not in the loop?

I find it strange. The 50th Anniversary of one of the greatest human rights events in history is approaching, but no one seems to be talking about it. At least I'm not hearing or reading about it. I know it's coming because the event is the back drop for the opening of my book,  La Rose Book I Le Baton Chronicles. Granted, I don't have cable, but anyone who follows me on Twitter knows that I keep up with my news outlets. I haven't seen anything on CNN, Reuters, MSNBC, or FOX websites. If they posted something, I missed it.

But maybe it's just me. I don't catch everything on the internet.

I did find a few articles on Black Voices: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/black-voices/
BET offered some travel tips: http://www.bet.com/news/national/photos/2013/08/march-on-washington-travel-tips.html#!040213-national-action-network-convention-logo-nan
Okay. Well here's an article on NBC news: http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/week-long-celebration-marks-50th-anniversary-march-washington-6C10963042

OK, so maybe it is just me. However, since we're getting closer to the walk, I'm guessing there will be more buzz about it. But gee whiz, maybe some folks may have wished to attend in person. Now we're under seven days before travel; plane tickets will cost a fortune.

I think that we, as a nation (me too), have been more focused on other things, like the hottest song in the country, celebrities babies, political sex scandals and petroleum selected foreign wars and unrest. Who wants to discuss equality, voting rights, jobs or our children murdering each other? Something may change in the world if we did and who wants that? Better keep it under our hats.

But yeah, there will be a March in Washington on Wednesday, August 28th. Please visit http://50thanniversarymarchonwashington.com/ for more information and a schedule of events.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Quick Accusation

I'm on Tumblr now. It seems cool; I'm still getting my feet wet though. Want to follow me? You may be able blame me for something later if you do. Ha!

http://lafleur2009.tumblr.com/


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

March On Washington 50th Anniversary




On Wednesday, August 28, 2013 America will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, forever altering the course of American History. Although many may believe the March to be the brainchild of Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Council (at least I had), it was organized by A. Philip Randolph, leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and political activist.

Growing up in the 70's, I always fantasied what the March must have been like for those fortunate enough to attend. I have missed major events in my adulthood, such as the President Obama's inaugurations, due to either financial limitations or obligations at home. In my novel La Rose, Book I Le Baton Chronicles, 24 year old Julian Charles Chamberie also suffers the same misfortune. An activist in the Civil Rights Movement, Julian is summoned home to New Orleans by his 116 year old Great-Grandmother Lela Chevalier Roberts on the eve of the March on Washington. Although furious with his grandmother's request, Julian skips the March and returns home to visit her once more, expecting her to die soon.

Available on Amazon.com
As the March on Washington challenged the collective conscience of America, Lela  challenges Julian.  In preparation for his end time role as the Keyholder, Lela transports Julian through time and space to the La Rose Plantation in 19th century Louisiana,  reacquainting Julian with his life as Lela's father and slave owner, Augustus Chevalier. Lela captivates Julian's mind, soul, and spirit with her oral narration of the story, compelling Julian to examine his own inner turmoil, wounds, and strongholds which have dogged him across several lifetimes. Yet, Lela not only wishes for Julian to come to terms with his past life, but to learn how deal with the Archangels and Fallen angels who have battled for control of him throughout the centuries, and who continue to do so,  seeking take hold of the Chevalier Family for all time. With her account of their family history, Lela offers to Julian the opportunity to take hold of his true purpose in life and his freedom.

If you wish to learn more about the March on Washington and upcoming events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March, please visit http://50thanniversarymarchonwashington.com/events/.

La Rose, Book I Le Baton Chronicles is available on Amazon.com.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Cocktails With Janice Ross

Check me out on B
logTalkRadio.com with Janice Ross, author of Damaged Girls Series. she's promoting new authors like me. 😁 @LaFleur2009: RT @JGRWriter: Tune in for Saturday Cocktails w/ @LaFleur2009 on 8/10/2013 8:00 AMEDT #BlogTalkRadio  http://t.co/9glCjdVusC

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Hey World! Living Life through Social Media

Designed by Claudia Ross
Social Media is now my second job; writing is my third.

My schedule, you may ask?

Work: (incl. travel to/from work): 730am - 730pm
Social Media: 7pm - 9pm (oh, there's intermittent Candy Crush mixed in)
Writing: 9-11pm
Candy Crush: 1130-1145pm
Bedtime: whenever


I have a full day.

I'm learning how to manage it all. I love Twitter. FB is OK. Instagram and Picasa I'm still learning. LinkedIn is cool. Not sure what Pintrest is all about? I guess it's like Picasa and Instagram? Ugh. Google +, I'm still figuring that one out too.

I downloaded something called Pocket (formerly Read It Later) to my IPad. It sounds cool. You can save articles, etc to Pocket and read at your convenience.

Buffer is an app that reveals peak hours/times when your followers are line. This will be great once I learn how to use it.

TweetCaster is an interface for Twitter. I like it. Tweets come in lightning quick, shiny front end. You can get stats on everything! Cool.

Do you have any tips on how you manage your social media activities? I would love to here them.

Here are some links if you would like to learn more about the apps I've discovered:

http://bufferapp.com/

https://tweetcaster.com/

http://getpocket.com/