From what I can find, March Madness was coined in the mid-1900s. Supposedly, people started behaving oddly. Could it have been the windy conditions that stirred everybody up and jiggled their gizzards? Maybe it was the erratic weather in general after the cold silence of winter when everything came out of “hibernation.” Then, of course, there are those hares that develop peculiar antics during their March mating season. “Mad as a March hare” is a British simile that first appeared in the 1500s.
Because Not Guilty has a lot about the sport of basketball, I ran into another use for March Madness while I was doing research. It’s during March and early April that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments are held. It’s an exciting, wild time for basketball, and March Madness seems to capture the mood.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
March 4 question – Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are Jacqui Murray, Lisa Buie-Collard, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!
I’m skipping the question this month because the answer is no. And also because I’ve posted in the IWSG site today, so isn’t that enough writing for one morning? Also, I have a special guest who has a short story coming out in the next IWSG anthology. If you haven’t met Bish Denham, you must because she’s awesome, so here she is.
Welcome, Bish!
Thank you, Lee, for having me on your blog!
You had an interesting life as a young girl growing up on a beautiful island. Can you tell a bit about how those early years have made you the writer/person you are today?
I think one thing that has made me the writer/person I am today (aside from having extraordinary parents and a fabulous older sister) is that I had a very long childhood. I was carefree and innocent much longer than most kids. This long childhood was packed with imaginary games with my best friend and all kinds of wonderful, mysterious magic. Even as a teen, I was quite naïve compared to my peers. I was shy and introverted. An observer. Perhaps growing up on the ocean and living with the ever-changing nature of its being, instilled in me a sense, “That everything changes and that’s okay.” Growing up in the Virgin Islands definitely had a profound affect on my life, one that I’m am ever so humble and grateful to have had. Has a consequence, most of my stories have a Caribbean color and flavor.
What in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
How about that at the age of 21 I went from the tiny Virgin Islands to Los Angeles? Yup. Talk about culture shock. Though I only lived and worked there nine or ten months, I packed in more experience than any naïve person should. But I don’t regret a thing.
Everyone has fears. Some of us have phobias. Can you share what frightens you most?
I used to be terribly afraid of spiders. I think I was near phobic about them. But I desensitized myself by handling daddy longlegs when I was in my 30s. Now I love spiders. However, if I do see a poisonous one, like a black widow I will kill it. Other than that I’ve always been kind of fearless and curious, which I think goes along with being so naïve. I didn’t know to be afraid of things or people. Now, of course, I’m much more cautious. As I’m getting older, I do think about death and dying more than I did. I think I’m more concerned about the dying than actual death. Like anyone, I don’t want to suffer. I don’t want to be in pain. I don’t want to be a burden to people when my time comes.
What motivated you to enter the anthology contest?
Two things motivated me. One: it was for middle graders, those fabulous tweeners who are still open to magic while just beginning to realize the world is a lot more different than they thought. Two: the theme, Voyages. The Blind Ship has been sitting in my files for many long years waiting to find a home. I tried peddling it around when I first wrote it, but no one was interested, perhaps because the subject matter is rather dark. So, when I saw the theme I knew immediately I had to give The Blind Ship a go. I pulled it out, dusted it off, added a few things, tweaked it and, holding my breath, pushed the send button.
Your story in the anthology is based on history. Tell us about that history and why you chose to write about it. Will you give us a snippet of The Blind Ship?
I chose to write about the story of twelve-year-old Jacques B. Romaigne because I think it’s important. His journey on the slave ship Le Rodeur, comes directly from his journals. I have fictionalized some things like conversations, his stay in Bonny, and his and his mother’s attitude toward slavery. However, some of the journal entries I use in the story are his. Jacques was returning to the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean after visiting family in France. The ship stopped at Bonny on the coast of Africa where they picked up slaves before continuing on. The slaves brought with them a highly contagious eye disease that, at worst could cause permanent blindness. Except for one crew member, everyone on the ship—including Jacques—contracted the disease. It’s what happened to the slaves, the crew, and to the ship that makes this story so dark and unbelievable. News of what happened spread around the world. Abolitionists in France read Jacques deposition in Parliament in a bid to abolish slavery and John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the anti-slavery poem “The Blind Ships” based on Jacques story.
Excerpt:
At last we are on our way, He wrote a few days later. Le Rôdeur is 200 tons and we now have on board 160 Negro slaves.
Jacques reread his words. He had already commented on the fair weather carrying him toward the Caribbean. He tried not to think about what lay in the close dank, dark quarters of the hold. It was enough that he could hear their muffled moans and cries through the decking.
He took up his quill and continued writing.
I know you will miss me while you tarry in France, but father needs me on the plantation. Besides, I long to see the green hills of Guadeloupe and the blue waters of the bays. Take heart, Mother, soon you will follow and we will be together once again.
At dinner a few days later, M. Gagne and Captain Boucher spoke of shipboard issues. Jacques, as a paying passenger, ate with the men. They talked over his head, as if he wasn’t there.
“The slaves have brought ophthalmia on board with them,” said M. Gagne.
“Ophthalmia?” asked Jacques. “What is that?”
“An eye disease that causes blindness.” said M. Gagne. “At worst the blindness is permanent. Most often, if treated properly, vision will return, though in some cases one’s sight will be impaired.”
“How bad?” asked Captain Boucher.
“It is spreading at a frightful rate. There are already more than I can manage.”
Thank you so much for this, Bish. Here’s to a great launch.
Quote of the Month:
Toinette Thomas says
Thanks for the brief history lesson.
Thanks for hosting Bish. It’s nice to gain a bit of insight into the authors who contribute to the anthologies. Congrats to her for making the cut.
Stephanie@Fairday's Blog says
Wonderful to hear from Bish and learn about Jacques B. Romaigne. I hadn’t heard this story before and it is intriguing. I look forward to reading Bish’s short story. Great interview! Wishing Bish all the best!
Beverly McClure says
Hearing the story behind the story is fascinating. This is a great anthology.
Bish Denham says
Thanks, Diane!
H.R. Sinclair says
I love the history or words and phrases!
Bish–OMG at 21 going from an island to LA!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Me too. I can never get enough about language and how it has changed over the centuries. Or even why we have it. Now that’s a really interesting part of our history.
Bish Denham says
It was crazy!
Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy says
Wow, I didn’t realize March Madness was coined so long ago.
Sounds like you had a wonderful childhood, Bish.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love finding out when words and phrases came into our language and why.
Bish Denham says
I did have a wonderful childhood, Lynda. Very blessed.
Denise Covey says
And here I was thinking that March Madness was just an advertising policy! I love what turns up in research. I could spend all my time researching. Can be a rabbit hole, but such fun.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I hear what you’re saying about research. That is my biggest distraction when I’m trying to write. I adore what I find, and then I have to keep digging.
Olga Godim says
@Bish: congratulations on your anthology story. You must be very courageous to handle a spider with your bare hands. I can never imagine doing that myself.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can do spiders. I can’t do snakes. Snakes and I are not on good terms.
Bish Denham says
Well, Olga. It does depend on the spider…
Pat Hatt says
Yeah, march madness seems to come about. Maybe it is the dumb time change. I hate that.
Going from the islands to LA sure must have been a culture shock.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m still not in love with the change of time each year. Just let it be what it is. I used to hate it when I had to be at the university by 7:30. Now I hate it even more.
Bish Denham says
It was Pat Hatt. Plus it was during the Manson trials…
Madeline Mora-Summonte says
I have no idea why but this phrase – “jiggled their gizzards” – totally cracked me up!
Two posts for IWSG Day? Yep, you did enough. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
The word gizzards always makes me laugh. Glad you got a chuckle out of it.
Sarah Foster says
Congrats to Bish on getting in the anthology! Sounds like the story was a perfect fit.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was a perfect fit!
Bish Denham says
Thanks Sarah
Natalie Aguirre says
Great to learn more about Bish. I can’t imagine what a culture shock it must have been to move to Los Angelos for nine months.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Moving to LA anytime from anywhere is a shock. 🙂 I’m not a fan and I spent a lot of my youth there.
Bish Denham says
Natalie, part of me wonders how I survived. The other part was crazy. 😀
L. Diane Wolfe says
I really liked her story, so I’m delighted Bish submitted it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It is a good one.
Bish Denham says
Thanks, Diane!
Jeff (Sage) says
I think March Madness and basketball goes back before the 1990s. I think I remember people referring to the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament (when it was schools from Maryland to Georgia) being referred to as March Madness before I left NC in the mid-1980s. But I may be wrong. And I wonder what’s wrong with those March hares?
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think it’s mid-1900s when the term was first used. Not sure when the term attached itself to basketball.
Jacqui Murray says
The only time my husband watches basketball is March–for March Madness. It is pretty crazy.
C. Lee McKenzie says
The game is dizzying to watch. I do enjoy it.
Liz A. says
Oh wow, what an amazing story. So many strange and dark things that happened that could easily be lost.
Elephants Child says
Congratulations Bish – and huge thanks to you both for the intrview and the excerpt.
I am a big, big fan of stories which are sparked/fed by history.
PS: A minor question. What happened to the follow up comments option?
C. Lee McKenzie says
This WordPress is driving me mad. I have no idea what happened to that option, but guess I have to find out. Thanks for mentioning it.
Bish Denham says
Thank you so much! I like stories sparked by history as well… obviously.
Pat Garcia says
Hi Bish,
I can understand how going from the Virgin Islands to Los Angeles was a shock to you. When I first went there, I was much older than you were and it was a huge shock for me.
Congratulations on your story in the Anthology and I look forward to reading it.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m sure you’ll enjoy Bish’s story,
Bish Denham says
Thanks Pat. Going to LA was totally crazy, but I sure did learn a lot.
Anna says
We call it spring fever in Grand Forks. All we want to do is get in the sunshine–cold or not. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
There is an appreciation of sun after a long winter.
Carrie-Anne says
The Blind Ships sounds like an awesome story!
I’m the exact opposite of Bish; I’m an arachnophile, and love spider jewelry and spider-themed clothes. I also have a small jewelry box with a spider and spiderweb on top. Additionally, the spider is one of my two spirit animals, since I identify so strongly with its symbolism.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can relate to anything with legs. Snakes? No. Actually, I love spiders and so appreciate their weaving skills.
Bish Denham says
That is very cool, Carrie-Anne. I have spider jewelry as well and really appreciate them now.
Bish Denham says
Thanks so much for sharing your space, Lee!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I couldn’t share it with someone I enjoy more. You’re always welcome.
Tyrean A Martinson says
March Madness applies to cats and dogs, too. My pets.get seriously antsy at this time of year. My cat has been waking me up with a nose to my eyebrows or by pouncing. I’m glad you could find a way to talk about your book with it.
Congratulations to Bish! I love hearing about her life and how her childhood influences her writing.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m sure there’s a scientific explanation–atmospheric pressure? But I kind of like the “magical” ones. Thanks for the visit today, Tyrean.
Bish Denham says
Thank you, Tyrean!
David Powers King says
Congrats on your story, Bish! I like March, and only ever get mad if spring is taking its sweet time. 🙂
Bish Denham says
Thank you!
C. Lee McKenzie says
In California spring only gets a passing nod, and it’s my most cherished season.
Loni Townsend says
My supervisor is a huge basketball fan, so I get to hear about March Madness at work.
Fun interview, Lee!
Bish Denham says
She made me think, Loni.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love basketball. I love the pace and action. I guess a lot of my feeling has to do with the fact that this is a sport I understand.
Dixie Jackson says
What a fantastic way to grow up! We spent three years on Okinawa due to my husband’s occupation and it does instill in one a sense of being sheltered, like the world is a million miles away. Lends to appreciating the surroundings for sure.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’ve heard some people get “Island Fever” and have to escape. I don’t think I’d be prone to that. Bish’s early years sound fantastic.
Bish Denham says
It’s called “rock fever” in the VI. It’s a very real condition…
Bish Denham says
The island I grew up on is 9 miles long and 5 miles wide. We kids were allowed to roam and explore at will. I think in some cases we were almost like little animals in the bush. 😀
Lisa says
Oh wow. I’d never heard of the Blind Ships. I do want to read this and am happy because I’ve already pre-ordered the anthology! Thanks!
Bish Denham says
The island I grew up on is 9 miles long and 5 miles wide. We kids were allowed to roam and explore at will. I think in some cases we were almost like little animals in the bush. 😀
Bish Denham says
Okay, I got the above comment under the wrong person… Lisa.
Thank you for pre-ordering the anthology! I do hope you enjoy the story… well, appreciate it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It’s a great group of stories.
Tamara Ann Narayan says
Spread of frightening disease? How timely! The Blind Ship sounds like a great story. Congrats on publishing in the anthology.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Bish’s story is timely and very poignant.
Bish Denham says
Thanks, Tamara!
Jemi Fraser says
Sounds like you had an amazing and wonderful childhood – and that is a precious gift!
The Blind Ship sounds fascinating – looking forward to it!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It’s a super story, Jemi. There are a lot of good ones in this anthology.
Bish Denham says
Jemi, it was an amazing childhood. I’m very blessed.
joylene says
Bish, we saw a brown spider in New Brunswick last summer that is apparently very poisonous. I didn’t know that until I point the spider out to my husband, a resident overhead and immediately stomped on him. Then she cautioned me to be careful. Somethings are deadly even though they’re small. Go figure.
Happy IWSG Day, ladies. Best to you both.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Beware the small things on the planet! Thanks for the visit, Joylene.
joylene says
You’re very welcome, Lee. Happy IWSG Day.
Bish Denham says
Oh yes. There is the brown recluse… We have them where I live, but I’ve never seen one…
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I imagine growing up on the Islands would make you more carefree than most kids. What a childhood to treasure.
March Madness is the best part of basketball!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Bish’s early life does sound like a wonderful adventure.
As to basketball, it’s a game I understand and enjoy watching. Unfortunately, I’m not much good at it.
Bish Denham says
Alex, it did make us kids more carefree. Nothing like having a whole island as your backyard.