Sue Cleveland, Scottish Lace, 2017 ©
Author and Artist
Have you ever played two truths and a lie? It is an ice-breaker in some writing workshops. Participants receive an index card and are asked to write two truths and one lie about themselves, after which a circle is formed and people take turns reading their list. Then everyone votes on what they believe is the lie.
The first time Sue played this, she watched the other writers scrawling down, what she was sure were, award-winning whoppers. Sue wanted to hide in the bathroom until the ice-breaker was over.
Kicking self-doubt and shyness aside, Sue gave herself permission to write fantastic lies that mirror some of her truths. Some call this PR. Sue says the exercise allowed her to connect with her wacky and rebellious side.
Here is the list of truths and tall-tales about Sue:
- Sue was wearing pajamas when she met Leo DeCaprio.
- Al Gore and Sue flew together.
- One of Sue’s paintings won first place in the nonfunctional category at a prestigious art show in Colorado. Being a nonfunctional winner still makes her chuckle.
- Wench? Yes, at the Renaissance Faire in Conroe, Texas.
- Sue’s last boyfriend fell out of the hearse they were riding in, founded Tommy Boy Records, and discovered Queen Latifah.
- When Sue met the artist who knits outfits for dead elephants, she was left speechless.
- Bermuda is where Sue broke every rule she could and flirted and kissed and then said, “I do.”
- A few years ago Sue and her writing partner, Dixie Evatt, scooped the New York Times by finagling their way into a jail where they interviewed the oldest bank robber in Texas.
- In the last five years, Sue discovered the names of more than 3,000 of her ancestors. Turns out she’s related to scoundrels, heroes, and amazing women.
- Sue dances when she paints.
Sue loves this list because it captures moments and stories. Some intriguing. Others snapshots of exceptional meetings. Have fun guessing which are true. And no, there won’t be time for questions and answers.
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- Award-winning writer and artist, Sue’s earliest publications included articles advocating childbirth education and humanizing hospital care.
- Shrouded, a mystery Sue collaborated on with Dixie Evatt, was a finalist in the 2017 Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest.
- One Slip Over the Line, Sue’s work-in-progress Young Adult novel, was a 2015 finalist in the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award.
- Sue’s essays, literary memoir pieces, and short stories have been featured in award-winning literary journals, magazines, and blogs.
- Wireless, a screenplay she collaborated on with Dixie Evatt, was a semi-finalist for the 2003 Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project.
- Sue has written two pre-published Middle Grade novels: A Shadow Over Silver; and Blue Water Over Dark Secrets.
- Reach the authors: CONTACT
*Photograph of Sue by Sam Bond Photography
Meredith Lee 