Ann S. Epstein writes novels, short stories, memoir, essays, and poems. Please use the links or site menu to go to the HOME PAGE; learn about her NOVELS, SHORT STORIES, MEMOIR, ESSAYS, and POEMS; find interesting facts in BEHIND THE STORY; read REFLECTIONS on writing; check NEWS for updates on publications and related events; see REVIEWS; learn about her END-OF-LIFE DOULA credentials and services; and CONTACT US to send webmail.
“Topeka argued that the district provided free busing, but they didn’t say those poor children got to class too tired to learn.” A quote about the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
William Styron (author of The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie’s Choice) said, “I don’t think an historical novelist should be restricted to the facts; he should take liberties. The historical novelist works best when fed on short rations.” Yes! Give us a crumb, we can create an entire loaf. Give us a loaf, the best we can do is slice it and add sandwich filling. When I write, I freely mix fact and fiction. The best reward is when I finish a manuscript and can’t remember what’s fact and what’s my own invention. For more of my thoughts on writing, see REFLECTIONS.
“‘Do you really think they give a goddamn about a poor little white girl?’ Lula Mae’s skin burns the color of hot bricks. ‘You can walk out of this mess. We can’t.’” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
The July–August 2020 issue of Poets & Writers, in “Authors on Creativity in Quarantine,” features thirteen writers describing their experience writing (or not) during the COVID-19 lockdown. Many also shared general thoughts about the writing life. Among the statements that resonated with me: “Artists have written through world wars and famine, genocides and natural disasters, through dictators, through drought. We write not to find clarity, but to become comfortable in our confusions. Comfortable with the fact that there are no easy answers coming” (Author Joshua Mohr). In fact, this is true of all writing, in all circumstances, not just under these extremes. We ponder enigmas — particularly the vicissitudes of human relationships — every time we employ our words. Some people crave happy endings, others are drawn to apocalyptic finales. But most authors and readers, myself included, prefer works whose conclusions are open-ended. Goodness and grace without guarantees, tragedy and torment with glimmers of hope. Writing allows us to live with that ambiguity. For more of my thoughts on writing, see REFLECTIONS.
“Tazia will never be one of them, but she can be one with them. For now, that is enough.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
The July–August 2020 issue of Poets & Writers includes a feature titled “Authors on Creativity in Quarantine.” Thirteen authors describe their (in)ability to write during the COVID-19 lockdown. Many include general ruminations on the writing life. Among the statements that resonated with me: “Writing is a form of dissociation. In the hours of real absorption, you leave behind your room, your body, even the mind you imagine as your own. I needed badly to experience that freedom precisely because I sensed how long it would be before I would have it again” (Author Adam Haslett). Psychologists define dissociation as “ranging from a mild emotional detachment from one’s immediate surroundings to a more severe disconnection from physical and emotional experiences.” In contrast to this mental disorder, writing more fully immerses me in the thoughts, feelings, and physicality of my characters, and the sensory attributes of the environment I’m creating. Hence I prefer the term “heightened engagement” to describe the writing process. Authors dissociate from the immediate world in order to associate more intensely with our imagined one. For more of my thoughts on writing, see REFLECTIONS.
“I ain’t moving til this nigger-loving lady clears out the premises.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“‘What the hell, is that a white woman riding with them?’ one of the white men yells. Too late, Tazia ducks behind Denton.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“Tazia draws aside the curtain. Snow dampens the sound, but she sees a line of Negro men facing an angry white mob. Everyone is still standing but blood spatters the mounting drifts of white.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“Well, Ma’am. I’ve always hired Negroes. I admire their work ethic. But a woman …” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
