Light-skinned-ed Girl

My Nella Larsen: Remembering Her

Today, 46 years ago, a great writer, Nella Larsen died all alone.

Although she'd been one of the most celebrated and acclaimed Harlem Renaissance writers, she lived the last 30+ years of her life in obscurity working as a nurse in NYC after a difficult divorce and being accused of plagiarism.

I think of her as my literary muse.  Like me, she had a Danish mother and a black father.  And she wrote about the experience.  Her voice---her stories written 80 years ago--gave me permission to tell a similar story in The Girl Who Fell From the Sky.  

For that I am forever grateful.  Thank you, Nella. Today, I am remembering you!

This is a photo of the headstone I had installed for her in 2006--her grave had gone unmarked all those years.

Remembering Nella Larsen on the Anniversary of her Death

Today is the 45th anniversary of writer Nella Larsen's death.  I don't know how much I believe in a life after a life, but if she's somewhere around I just want to thank her--for being brave enough to write the story of her complexity--being both black and Danish--almost 80 years ago!  She made my book possible.  It's my letter to her in a way.  And my way of saying thanks.  (This is a photo of the headstone I had installed on her grave two years ago.  It had never been marked.)

Mixed Minute: Nella Larsen

I love Nella Larsen.  She's my muse and literary forebear--a Danish and black woman writer!  Here's my Mixed Minute tribute to her.

Mixed Minute: Nella Larsen from Heidi Durrow on Vimeo.

Nella Larsen headstone unveiling

Look for a post that announces the day of the unveiling.  It could be as early as December --but most likely at the beginning of the year.

the headstone

today i received the mock-up of the headstone for Nella Larsen.  it seems that the cemetery has given the okay for her name to appear as Nella Larsen and not Nella Imes.  i will hold onto the papers for a couple of days.  it feels like such an immensely important thing to do--i suddenly wonder whether it is right for ME to do it.  but, i admit, i do think of her as my Nella--and so in that way--who else would be more suited than me?

Light-skinned-ed Girl in Portugal where Nella Larsen Stayed

What must she have seen?  The same things?  The same kinds of faces?  The Hotel Avenida Palace near the Praca Restaudores was beautiful.  I sat in the lobby yesterday and imagined her there: enjoying a glass of vinho verde or porto --imagining the stories she would write.  Like I did.

Nella Imes?

According to the rules of the cemetery, Nella Larsen's headstone must bear the name under which she was buried: Nella Imes.  I am hoping that the cemetery will allow the addition of the name Larsen.  Nella Larsen Imes: that would be a good result.  But Nella Imes?  Is that what she would have wanted?

Nella Larsen & Me

i feel like i should keep this a secret for some reason -- though i don't know the reason.  but i am just incredibly excited.  so . . . shhhhh . . . but, . . . i ordered nella's headstone today -- she will forever be found.

Nella Larsen

i'm working on a one-woman show about me and nella.  it makes me feel a little bit crazy as i think about the many similarities in our lives --maybe she was me.  maybe i get to be her better.