Naming Pieces: What's Behind the Name

Germination is the process in which a plant emerges from a hard seed and begins growth. Many forces can stifle a seed's growth potential, leaving it damaged and not viable. Over time seeds evolved to counter the effects of predation. Plants evolved defenses to protect itself against whatever tried to inhibit it's growth. In people, we call this defense mechanisms. All of this came to me one morning while I was lying in bed with my husband. I was in the process of speaking my thoughts aloud while he listened. I told him, "Honey! That's it! That's my name. Flora Season." I saw myself for the first time as a rose--a flower of many layers. A flower that's beautiful to look at, but one that a person may be leery to touch. It will hurt someone, but only to prevent itself from being hurt. Often times it's human tendency to prey upon what is beautiful. We see a rose and immediately desire to cut or de-petal it for selfish motivations, never considering the damage we're doing--the life we're ending, the growth we're stifling.  

Even though I sent my book off to press during a winter month, I felt in my spirit that it was flower season. It was time for me to see beyond myself and think about the cultivation process. With Scattered Pieces and other books I author (speaking it into existence), I am sowing seeds. And in the process, I am encouraging people to weed their gardens. Identify the junk in our lives so we can grow free of it. My message isn't just for budding roses, but I also have a little something for weeds: Once you recognize the toxicity of your role, know that it's not too late to change it. It may not happen in the plant world, but as it pertains to people, it's never too late for a weed to turn into a flower. Christ performs this metamorphosis everyday. Through his love, grace, and mercy, all these are possible. We are all new creatures in Him. 

So, who was Flora Season before she became Flora Season?

Shanita is a variation of my mother's first name. She wanted to name me explicitly after herself, but my father wouldn't allow it. I think in a sense he wanted me to have my own identity and not to be tied by hers. But, this is only speculation.  I played around with several names to be placed on my book. At first, I said I would always publish under   my father's surname (to show him that I made it without his presence) and using only my first initial because I thought I'd be able to sell more books with it. But, then again, I didn't want him tied to my success. So, then I wanted to keep my first initial and middle name, but use my married name in lieu of my maiden, and that's what it was until I had the "flower season" revelation.  And, I couldn't very well go around calling myself Flower. That wouldn't work. When I told my husband "Flora," he immediately frowned up his face, until I explained. " Flora is the spanish word for flower, and it has an old sound to it. I've been told that I have an old spirit, so it's fitting. Plus, people won't expect to see me [an African American woman] when they hear the name [Flora]." He was persuaded. And, with the opening of the file, an amendment to the name featured on the titled page, and the filing of the documentation with the Library of Congress, I renamed myself (for artistic purposes).

Why don't you mention your birth name at all in the book?

I intentionally do not use my birth name or the names of my immediate relatives for two reasons: 1) legality and 2) privacy. My story is my truth, and I must respect the positions of others if they do not wish to share in it. Although my family was very supportive and well informed during the writing process, they are entitled to their privacy while I am delivering my testimony.

The changing of names does not make any of the occurrences any less factual. William Shakespeare said it best through his character Juliet: "... What's in a name? that which we call a rose

                               By any other name would smell as sweet;..."

 Until I Blog Again,

Flora Season     

Moving Pieces: People Connecting with the Story

My grandmother was the first person to purchase my book, but the first copy I ever signed was right here in Abilene, Texas, on March 2, 2010, just one day before my grandmother passed. As soon as I signed my first autograph, I immediately posted it on my page on Facebook. I didn't get a chance to tell her about it, but the feeling of autographing my work at the request of another was exhilarating, especially when the person is not a relative, friend, or general acquaintance.

I don't recall how it ever came up in conversation, but I ended up telling a lady at my children's daycare center that I was in the process of writing a book. Well, she made it her business to ask me every month about it's progress. When I told her it was in the publication process, she wanted to know as soon as it was available in print. Somedays I would act as if I was in a hurry or walk opposite of her direction just to avoid the conversation surrounding her anticipated question. I left town for about a month in December 2009 when I got word of my grandmother's declining health, and I withdrew my children from daycare during that time. When I returned after the new year, she asked me, "Is your book in stores yet?", and when I finally told her yes, she was thrilled. She was so excited that she couldn't wait to buy it in stores, I had to sell her one of my copies one morning when I dropped my children off to school.  When I returned later that afternoon to pick them up, she said she was already at chapter 10! I gave her my concerned mother look, but she ensured me that all of her reading was done during the children's nap time and proclaimed how wonderful my book was and how she was unable to put it down. The woman was talking as fast as Six Lanier on the 90s sitcom, Blossom. All of the praise, in despite of my gratefulness, made me highly uncomfortable. I was prepared to defend my words, not to receive esteem for them. News about my book began to spread like wildfire around the childcare. The following day a woman kept bowing to me as she talked about my incredible feat. Although bowing in her culture is a sign of respect, onlookers stared in confusion before she told them that I recently published. The next thing I knew checks and ink pens were coming out. People wanted their copies right on the spot. I left for a couple of weeks for my grandmother's funeral and when I returned a few people had finished it and were prepared to give me feedback; meanwhile, others were still ready to place their order.

Recently, I signed up to do my first book signing. It will be at Hastings, in Abilene, Texas, on Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 1-5pm. I am glad that I am moving soon because I am not one for all of the attention. I never wanted to get used to it which is one reason why I chose to publish using a pseudonym. I am prepared to share with you next week one of my frequently asked questions: why I choose to be known as Flora Season as opposed to my birth name. Although my work is a memoir, I do not want people to get as caught up in me as the author as much as I want them to get caught up in the message. I wrote from the perspective of only one child victim, but I represent many. Sadly enough, I am less than unique in that regard. Are some of the things I wrote about very personal and subject to public scrutiny? ABSOLUTELY. But, the transparency was necessary. People who live abusive lifestyles must see the fruit of their senseless actions--the children who live day-to-day with those brutal images engraved into their psyche.

To date, the most rewarding part of being an author of a work of this magnitude is meeting and talking with other child victims--women and men; African Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians; people of varying socio-economic statuses who are my age and older. Despite their personal accomplishments, their pain is still fervent in their stories. I have been best-friends with one young lady for several years and the first time she ever spoke with me about feelings carried over from her childhood was after she read my book. In fact, she has given me one of the most candid, yet heart-warming critiques.

So, I want to urge anyone who is reading my posts to help me get the message out there. Please support Scattered Pieces by Flora Season and the message within. If it's not in your bookstores and libraries, request it. If you're in a book club, select it as your club's read for the month. I am presently working on non-profit projects that will generate from your support.