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Pick Up Your Name and Write: The Life of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel
In humble rooms, on scavenged paper, writing sparse lean verse with black felt tip pens, Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel revealed the true soul and dignity of a people dispossessed. Fleeing starvation in Oklahoma, she came to California with her family in 1936 with dreams of a new start in a golden land of orange orchards and grape vineyards.
A self proclaimed recluse, she felt compelled to reveal the wonder of the world to those who might otherwise miss it. The unvarnished language spoken by the true characters she used to speak her words, helped to revive the damaged spirit of the Dust Bowl refugees and their progeny. Her work resonates with working class strivers of all ethnicities and other hard luck migrants.
This story traces Wilma's triumph over hard years of poverty and life-long physical ailments to actualize her dreams of a literary life. This is also the story of her family and of the community of friends and supporters she found along the way who helped her make that dream come true.
There are elements of memoir in the narrative as the author was her friend and lawyer for the last fourteen years of the poet's life. Bonded by a shared family history and regional culture, the author would eventually serve as the poet's surrogate daughter.
A self proclaimed recluse, she felt compelled to reveal the wonder of the world to those who might otherwise miss it. The unvarnished language spoken by the true characters she used to speak her words, helped to revive the damaged spirit of the Dust Bowl refugees and their progeny. Her work resonates with working class strivers of all ethnicities and other hard luck migrants.
This story traces Wilma's triumph over hard years of poverty and life-long physical ailments to actualize her dreams of a literary life. This is also the story of her family and of the community of friends and supporters she found along the way who helped her make that dream come true.
There are elements of memoir in the narrative as the author was her friend and lawyer for the last fourteen years of the poet's life. Bonded by a shared family history and regional culture, the author would eventually serve as the poet's surrogate daughter.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2024
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 14, 2024
This was a sweet and loving memory of a brilliant poet from humble origins who lived her life simply, but developed extraordinary relationships with intelligent creatives decades younger. Several became her "children" and were dedicated to supporting her written word and getting it out there. In the end, they were incredibly devoted to trying to support, care for and love her in the tragic long goodbye of dying.
Having come later into Wilma's world, I had the privilege of knowing her, receiving some of her affection and fondness, and also had the good fortune to spend time with her "chlldren" my age, writers, publishers and artists of one kind or another. These experiences enriched my life, as did lunches with Wilma, her brother, cousin and friends. Reading the book was like time traveling back to visit old friends.
Blanks descriptions took me right back into Wilma's tiny apartment, and to many of the stomping grounds and places that she had readings, or Literary Landmark dedications. This is a good description of Wilma's life journey and invoked much in memories and images from her actual life.
Having come later into Wilma's world, I had the privilege of knowing her, receiving some of her affection and fondness, and also had the good fortune to spend time with her "chlldren" my age, writers, publishers and artists of one kind or another. These experiences enriched my life, as did lunches with Wilma, her brother, cousin and friends. Reading the book was like time traveling back to visit old friends.
Blanks descriptions took me right back into Wilma's tiny apartment, and to many of the stomping grounds and places that she had readings, or Literary Landmark dedications. This is a good description of Wilma's life journey and invoked much in memories and images from her actual life.
Displaying 1 of 1 review