THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9504260172
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY XIAOHONG ZHANG SWAIN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Four children, standing beside and seated on a small wooden cart pulled by a furry white goat, gathered in front of an old farm house in Suffolk in 1934 for a family portrait.
The black-and-white photo graces the cover of ``Sugar and Spice: A Slice of Black Life,'' Chesapeake author Eva Chavis' first published book.
The four children in the picture are her mother, Daisy Ann; her Uncle John; her Cousin Linwood; and her Aunt Ruth. They were part of her family history that is retold through Chavis' simple and poetic words.
The central character of the family history is Chavis' maternal grandmother, known as ``Big Mama.''
``I was very close to my grandmother,'' said Chavis, who was born in Suffolk. ``Grandma passed away in 1979. I didn't know where to put all my pain.''
The pain triggered Chavis to dedicate a book to her grandmother, who had taught her wisdom about life, pride, respect and family values.
One of Chavis' favorite passages in the book is about marriage:
``Big Mama, why are you ironing Papa's socks? My Grandmother looked at me and said, ``Because in 1914, when I married your Papa, I started doing this because he liked the way it made his feet feel.''
``How come he couldn't iron them out when he wore them?'' I asked.
``Look, Missy, here is some advice for you. I am sure you will get married someday. Do not ever start something with your mate in the beginning you don't want to keep up. They will look for it, and they will look to you to do it.''
``When you start out you love them so much there is nothing you wouldn't do, but as time goes by and hard times set in, you forget that first love. So don't start something you can't finish because you never want your man to think you've stopped loving him.''
It wasn't easy for Chavis to get her book in print. For five years, her agent submitted her manuscript to numerous publishers and got rejection letters. Chavis began to lose her patience.
``The agent and my husband, John, believe someone is going to pick up my book,'' Chavis said. ``They want me to wait, not to publish the book by myself. But I couldn't wait any more.''
At the end of 1994, Chavis published the book herself, through John E. Publishers in Portsmouth.
``It can be expensive to self-publish your book,'' Chavis said. ``There are a lot of steps you have to go through to get the book printed.''
Chavis and her husband have also taken on the job of promoting the book.
The book is available at local Waldenbooks stores, where Chavis has held several autograph sessions.
``It's been a success,'' said Chavis with satisfaction. ``We've sold a total of 500 copies.''
Chavis is already working on a second book that also relies on family history.
``My agent said it should be easier for me to get a publisher now that I have my first book published,'' Chavis said. ``I plan to finish the second book by the end of this year.''
Chavis has been jotting down her thoughts and memories since she was a child. The notes provide a valuable resource for her books.
Growing up in New York State, Chavis studied dance with the Smith Teaching and Dance Workshop in New York City for three years.
In 1975, Chavis opened her first dance studio at her home in Bowers Hill. She began with eight students, but the studio's enrollment jumped to 80 when she moved to the Camelot area. Today, Chavis owns a studio in Suffolk and another in Portsmouth. Her dance company presented recitals at Chrysler Hall from 1978 to 1993. Now, the annual recital is held at Wells Theater.
Chavis values the support from her husband.
``John helped me to open up my first studio,'' Chavis said. ``He helped me to publish my book. We've been married for a wonderful 23 years.'' MEMO: On May 20 from 3 to 5 p.m., Chavis is scheduled to hold an autograph
session at Waldenbooks in Greenbrier Mall.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Chesapeake author Eva Chavis' book is available at local Waldenbooks
stores.
by CNB