Back Away from Quvenzhane!

I will be brief. A post from The Onion's Twitter account referred to 9-year-old best actress nominee Quvenzhane Wallis as the unspeakable "c-word."

I will not reprint the post or link to it. That post, along with Academy Awards host Seth MacFarlane's tasteless joke about her during the awards ceremony, made me want to write.

Leave Ms. Wallis alone! Even if she is a best actress nominee for "Beasts of the Southern Wild," she is a child. Also, as an Oscar nominee and the tenth African-American actress nominated for a leading role, this poised, beautiful, intelligent young lady deserves greater respect than she received last night. And that silly reporter from the Associated Press who would not pronounce her name correctly and referred to her as "Annie" (For her upcoming role in the Broadway play) should be disciplined.

Although the Academy Awards is a melting pot and has been for the past few years, some reporters and even a certain Oscar host have yet to enter the 21st century. As Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director Spike Lee would say, "Wake up!"

Writing Diva

How to Woo a Writing Diva

Happy Valentine’s Day, readers! If you have a significant other, I hope you’re spending a relaxing, splendid day (or evening) with your sweetie. If you’re single, I hope you treat yourselves well this day and all year long.

Although I’m sitting out this Valentine’s Day, listening to Jermaine Stewart’s dance song “We Don’t Have to Take Your Clothes Off” on my way to work reminded me what it takes to woo me. I am a cerebral, sometimes snarky being with a tender heart that needs to be protected at all times. If I were dating someone, the best way to my heart on this day is a love letter.

I do not respond well to a box of chocolates, especially because I’m allergic to chocolate, especially the dark kind. Although I would not look down my nose at a one-carat diamond ring or pendant, a love letter would do in a pinch. ;-)

If my guy were to send me an e-mail love letter or card, I would look at him as if he were freshly made poop and walk away. When it comes to love letters, I’m old-fashioned – I like handwritten letters on stationery. Period.

A man I had dated in the late 1980s (Yes, readers, I’m that old.) wrote me 15 love letters. I still have them in storage. To me, love letters are the most tangible evidence that someone loved me.

A few suggestions:

• Do not type a love letter using a typewriter or word processor on 20-pound white paper. How clinical! Write using print or cursive letters in dark ink.
• Use stationery.
• Although I’m an editor, I will overlook spelling, grammar, and usage errors in love letters. I figure if my man is making the effort to write, I can compliment his content.
• Try to avoid explicit sexual references. If I want to read porn, I know where I can find it. I want to know what’s in the heart, not the loins.

Yes, I’m well aware that some men aren’t into reading, much less writing. But a love letter is what works for me. Find out what works for your heart this day and every day.

Writing Diva