Writing With a Broken Tusk
Writing With a Broken Tusk began in 2006 as a blog about overlapping geographies, personal and real-world, and writing books for children. Since March 2024, Jen Breach (writer, VCFA graduate, and former student) has helped me curate and manage guest posts and Process Talk pieces on this blog.
The blog name refers to the mythical pact between the poet Vyaasa and the Hindu elephant headed god Ganesha who was his scribe during the composition of the epic narrative, the Mahabharata. It also refers to my second published book, edited by the generous and brilliant Diantha Thorpe of Linnet Books/The Shoe String Press, published in 1996, acquired and republished by August House, now part of Reading Is Fundamental, and still miraculously in print.
Posts on this site reflect personal opinion and commentary protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Guest Post: Mima Tipper on Channeling Marilyn
Seventeen-year-old Lexa Donovan’s timid, plus-size life goes sideways when the spirit of Marilyn Monroe takes up residence in her body in this laugh-out-loud funny paranormal YA tale perfect for fans of Lisa Schroeder and Ashley Poston.
That’s from the publisher description of Mima Tipper’s new YA novel, Channeling Marilyn, featuring none other than the ghostly presence of—ta da!—Marilyn Monroe. Wish you’d thought of that, right?
The star who became an icon, who wowed generations, turns up to aid a girl whose longings are matched only by her own self-doubt. How on earth can Lexa manage to pull off a role famously played by the goddess of the silver screen herself?
Mima Tipper spools out a charming, funny storyline ahead of her engaging character. It’s replete with obstacles. There’s a crush. There’s a little bit of a triangle. There’s fear. There’s stage-fright. And then Marilyn, wouldn't you know, starts reaching beyond her role of resident mentor and coach. And under it all is a layer of loss and grieving.
Here’s Mima to give us a curious, unexpected perspective on writing this book—its dedication: