Tia Silverthorne Bach's Blog, page 93
December 9, 2011
Wipeout: The Gift of Togetherness
Laughing and being together. It's what the holidays are all about. Last night, my middle daughter and I walked in around 8pm, finally done with swim practice and a week's worth of commitments. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear, but my other two daughters and husband watching Wipeout episodes and laughing hysterically.
Luckily for us, it was a marathon. We sat for two episodes and laughed and enjoyed each other. The Christmas tree was shining in the corner. It seemed silly to be bonding over people falling down and smashing into things. But it was bonding nonetheless.
In July, I posted about laughter being the best medicine. I'm re-running it today in the spirit of Christmas and bonding.
*****
Laughter is often the best medicine, and it fills my tub. In our "The Balancing Act" interview, host Danielle Knox asked why we incorporated so much humor in our book. If you haven't seen our interview yet, you can follow the link on the left side of our blog.
My answer:
Humor is a gift. My dad gave us many things growing up, but I always say one of his greatest blessings was humor. It's medicinal. Too often we focus on what burdens us, what makes us tired and frustrated, instead of embracing the joy of life. My favorite memories as a kid are laughing ... and that's true now with my husband and three daughters ... sometimes laughter's just the best medicine.
Humor is also a shield and a saving grace. Why do you think parents tickle kids when they are sad? Why are comedians often from tragic upbringings? When one of my kids comes home sad or hurt, one of the first things we will do is put on music and dance. Maybe we would all benefit from a good dance class, because we usually end up laughing. A plate of warm chocolate chips cookies goes a long way, too.
I rarely tell a poignant story without throwing in some humor (often sarcasm and wit are my tools). Sadness without laughter is empty and painful. We all have sad moments in our lives, but dwelling on the pain will bring nothing. The ability to laugh at yourself and with others is a treasure. If a writer can make me laugh for one page, I can better endure and appreciate one hundred pages of sadness and misfortune.This quote says it well: "A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life." Hugh SideyCheck out our humor by visiting these past posts:
* What Not to Do During a Television Interview* Friday Feature: About MenopotsFor fun, here's a video of my youngest, Maddie (now 6), and her first taste of baby food. This always makes me laugh:
Luckily for us, it was a marathon. We sat for two episodes and laughed and enjoyed each other. The Christmas tree was shining in the corner. It seemed silly to be bonding over people falling down and smashing into things. But it was bonding nonetheless.
In July, I posted about laughter being the best medicine. I'm re-running it today in the spirit of Christmas and bonding.
*****
Laughter is often the best medicine, and it fills my tub. In our "The Balancing Act" interview, host Danielle Knox asked why we incorporated so much humor in our book. If you haven't seen our interview yet, you can follow the link on the left side of our blog.
My answer:
Humor is a gift. My dad gave us many things growing up, but I always say one of his greatest blessings was humor. It's medicinal. Too often we focus on what burdens us, what makes us tired and frustrated, instead of embracing the joy of life. My favorite memories as a kid are laughing ... and that's true now with my husband and three daughters ... sometimes laughter's just the best medicine.
Humor is also a shield and a saving grace. Why do you think parents tickle kids when they are sad? Why are comedians often from tragic upbringings? When one of my kids comes home sad or hurt, one of the first things we will do is put on music and dance. Maybe we would all benefit from a good dance class, because we usually end up laughing. A plate of warm chocolate chips cookies goes a long way, too.
I rarely tell a poignant story without throwing in some humor (often sarcasm and wit are my tools). Sadness without laughter is empty and painful. We all have sad moments in our lives, but dwelling on the pain will bring nothing. The ability to laugh at yourself and with others is a treasure. If a writer can make me laugh for one page, I can better endure and appreciate one hundred pages of sadness and misfortune.This quote says it well: "A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life." Hugh SideyCheck out our humor by visiting these past posts:
* What Not to Do During a Television Interview* Friday Feature: About MenopotsFor fun, here's a video of my youngest, Maddie (now 6), and her first taste of baby food. This always makes me laugh:
The Land of Lost Toys
Today's NaBloPoMo prompt: What gift do you regret breaking?
Growing up surrounded by moving boxes, our toys were constantly breaking through no fault of our own. I remember lots of tears as I unwrapped treasures from boxes. When all the paper came out, broken pieces rattled at the bottom of the box often caught in the flaps of taped box ends.
I collected unicorns when I was younger. I had everything from a unicorn lamp to delicate glass blown figurines. The only item from my collection I still own... a unicorn stuffed animal. It's perched on my daughter's bed, happy to have made it through countless moves while all her friends met untimely ends.
One of my daughters precious unicornsA more recent tragedy of the dreaded moving boxes... my husband's telescope. He wanted one for a long time, and it sat proudly in his office. Did he gaze at the stars nightly? No, but he was excited to show the girls when they got old enough. Unfortunately it was broken during a move. Worse than that, we didn't realize it for awhile, so it was too late to claim it and replace it. We still haven't. It's on a long list titled, "One of These Days."
Moving created the land of the lost toys for me as a kid, and now for my family. But we try to love the heck out of things when we have them. Now that my daughter has started her own unicorn collection, I have hot glue ready to make sure it stays around for years of memories.
Do you remember a favorite lost toy?
*****
For the moms out there, I have to share this story because I know you'll appreciate it. As soon as I wrote the piece above about my one surviving unicorn, I went upstairs to take a picture of it for the blog. One hour later I had a laundry basket full of dirty clothes, leftover cups, a Target bag filled with trash, and three broken toys. But no unicorn picture.
I swear I just saw the thing sitting on my daughter's bed. Either I haven't cleaned her room in way too long (sadly, this could be the case), or she's rearranged and Lord only knows where it is.
Still, this is why I don't get done as much as I would like on any given day. Distractions!
Growing up surrounded by moving boxes, our toys were constantly breaking through no fault of our own. I remember lots of tears as I unwrapped treasures from boxes. When all the paper came out, broken pieces rattled at the bottom of the box often caught in the flaps of taped box ends.
I collected unicorns when I was younger. I had everything from a unicorn lamp to delicate glass blown figurines. The only item from my collection I still own... a unicorn stuffed animal. It's perched on my daughter's bed, happy to have made it through countless moves while all her friends met untimely ends.
One of my daughters precious unicornsA more recent tragedy of the dreaded moving boxes... my husband's telescope. He wanted one for a long time, and it sat proudly in his office. Did he gaze at the stars nightly? No, but he was excited to show the girls when they got old enough. Unfortunately it was broken during a move. Worse than that, we didn't realize it for awhile, so it was too late to claim it and replace it. We still haven't. It's on a long list titled, "One of These Days."Moving created the land of the lost toys for me as a kid, and now for my family. But we try to love the heck out of things when we have them. Now that my daughter has started her own unicorn collection, I have hot glue ready to make sure it stays around for years of memories.
Do you remember a favorite lost toy?
*****
For the moms out there, I have to share this story because I know you'll appreciate it. As soon as I wrote the piece above about my one surviving unicorn, I went upstairs to take a picture of it for the blog. One hour later I had a laundry basket full of dirty clothes, leftover cups, a Target bag filled with trash, and three broken toys. But no unicorn picture.
I swear I just saw the thing sitting on my daughter's bed. Either I haven't cleaned her room in way too long (sadly, this could be the case), or she's rearranged and Lord only knows where it is.
Still, this is why I don't get done as much as I would like on any given day. Distractions!
December 8, 2011
The Gift of Brownies: National Brownie Day
Since the theme for my posts this month is gifts, I was thrilled to learn that December 8th is National Brownie Day. Sugar is my downfall, but few things beat a fudgy, right out of the oven brownie. I don't need ice cream or anything else to accompany it. Don't even need a plate.
What's my favorite recipe? Whichever box is on sale. I've tried homemade recipes, but it's a lot of effort and the various box options bring me enough joy. I like them fudgy, not cake-like. If I want cake, I'll make a cake. And no nuts, please. If I want crunchy, I'll grab a bag of potato chips.
I prefer brownies right out of the oven, still gooey. My mom loves the new brownie pans that create crunchier edges for each brownie. Not me, I like the middle brownie the best!
Brownies are a simple but enjoyable gift in my life. It's a rare day when a brownie can't put a smile back on my face. Even better... one of my children bringing me a brownie and giving me a hug. Or, a brownie, a good book, and a hot bath. I may just move that wish to the top of my Christmas list.
What simple thing puts a smile on your face?
What's my favorite recipe? Whichever box is on sale. I've tried homemade recipes, but it's a lot of effort and the various box options bring me enough joy. I like them fudgy, not cake-like. If I want cake, I'll make a cake. And no nuts, please. If I want crunchy, I'll grab a bag of potato chips.I prefer brownies right out of the oven, still gooey. My mom loves the new brownie pans that create crunchier edges for each brownie. Not me, I like the middle brownie the best!
Brownies are a simple but enjoyable gift in my life. It's a rare day when a brownie can't put a smile back on my face. Even better... one of my children bringing me a brownie and giving me a hug. Or, a brownie, a good book, and a hot bath. I may just move that wish to the top of my Christmas list.
What simple thing puts a smile on your face?
December 7, 2011
Strange Wishes: ROW80 Check In
Today's NaBloPoMo prompt: What was the strangest thing that ever made your gift wish list?
I don't consider my request strange, but year after year my husband scoffs at it, and I've yet to receive it. My simple request, the gift of delusion. Not to the degree I firmly believe I've been abducted by aliens and parts of my brain have been altered. No, just a mild case of delusion. The unshakable belief that I can do anything I set my mind to would suffice.
This gift would also benefit my writing. We ask readers to suspend disbelief for our tales, so what a gift it would be if I could better embrace "false beliefs held with absolute conviction despite superior evidence."
In my personal life, I could use this gift to cloud the lens of reality. My children and husband would be perfect, I would never be wrong, and my house would always be clean. Perfect, right? No, I wouldn't want to use delusion that way. Well, except for maybe the clean house part. There's nothing interesting about perfection. True love is loving someone despite his/her flaws, not in the absence of them. Who wouldn't love something that was perfect?
Some people seem to possess the gift of delusion and use it willy-nilly or for selfish or nefarious purposes. I want to specify that my gift of delusion could only be used for good, to create a shield to protect myself and those I love and to allow me the confidence to try new things.
Alas, it's a gift I'll have to give myself. Through hard work and perseverance, I hope to find greater confidence and acceptance instead of delusion. As far as shielding my family, I can't imagine something stronger than a mother's love.
Do you have a similarly difficult or strange gift request?
*****
What, you might ask, does this gift request have to do with my A Round of Words in 80 Days check in?
One, I need to work on my creative confidence. Two, my new novel concept is a challenge. I'm veering away from easier material to really stretch myself. Plus, my main character is suffering from a severe mental delusion, so I need to embrace the idea that people can convince themselves of anything.
That's pretty much my check in. A big struggle with my work. I am using the note card planning method, and it's helping. Still, I seem to end up with a lot of note cards with questions and research issues on them. Things like, "what would motivate a character to do xxx?" and the need to find a psychiatrist to talk to about true mental delusions. Not for me, for my character. Wait, I wonder if they'll believe that I'm a writer working on a piece. Hmmmm.
I'll admit to being overwhelmed by the season. As much as I love the holidays, I am juggling so many things right now. It took me two hours today to write our Christmas letter. Why? I wanted to stretch myself and write a poem using Twas the Night Before Christmas as a starting point. I like how it turned out, but it would have been so much easier to sign our names to a pretty card.
Other updates
Blogging: On goal for both blogs. Yeah! I've even pre-written some posts for my busier days this month. Still catching up on blog reading, but finding a better rhythm. Google Reader is overwhelming now that I'm following so many blogs. Any suggestions on how to manage it?
Miscellaneous: Just finished a wonderful book, review soon to follow (on Mom in Love with Fiction). Plus I joined the 2012 To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge. I'm looking forward to finally reading some great books I bought ages ago.
Exercise: Doing pretty well. I'm missing the warmer weather. It's so much easier to go for a run outside than to plan to go to the gym. Still avoiding sugar, but I have several events coming up where this will be a huge challenge.
Hope all my writer and reader friends are enjoying the craziness of the holiday season!
I don't consider my request strange, but year after year my husband scoffs at it, and I've yet to receive it. My simple request, the gift of delusion. Not to the degree I firmly believe I've been abducted by aliens and parts of my brain have been altered. No, just a mild case of delusion. The unshakable belief that I can do anything I set my mind to would suffice.
This gift would also benefit my writing. We ask readers to suspend disbelief for our tales, so what a gift it would be if I could better embrace "false beliefs held with absolute conviction despite superior evidence." In my personal life, I could use this gift to cloud the lens of reality. My children and husband would be perfect, I would never be wrong, and my house would always be clean. Perfect, right? No, I wouldn't want to use delusion that way. Well, except for maybe the clean house part. There's nothing interesting about perfection. True love is loving someone despite his/her flaws, not in the absence of them. Who wouldn't love something that was perfect?
Some people seem to possess the gift of delusion and use it willy-nilly or for selfish or nefarious purposes. I want to specify that my gift of delusion could only be used for good, to create a shield to protect myself and those I love and to allow me the confidence to try new things.
Alas, it's a gift I'll have to give myself. Through hard work and perseverance, I hope to find greater confidence and acceptance instead of delusion. As far as shielding my family, I can't imagine something stronger than a mother's love.
Do you have a similarly difficult or strange gift request?
*****
What, you might ask, does this gift request have to do with my A Round of Words in 80 Days check in?
One, I need to work on my creative confidence. Two, my new novel concept is a challenge. I'm veering away from easier material to really stretch myself. Plus, my main character is suffering from a severe mental delusion, so I need to embrace the idea that people can convince themselves of anything.
That's pretty much my check in. A big struggle with my work. I am using the note card planning method, and it's helping. Still, I seem to end up with a lot of note cards with questions and research issues on them. Things like, "what would motivate a character to do xxx?" and the need to find a psychiatrist to talk to about true mental delusions. Not for me, for my character. Wait, I wonder if they'll believe that I'm a writer working on a piece. Hmmmm.
I'll admit to being overwhelmed by the season. As much as I love the holidays, I am juggling so many things right now. It took me two hours today to write our Christmas letter. Why? I wanted to stretch myself and write a poem using Twas the Night Before Christmas as a starting point. I like how it turned out, but it would have been so much easier to sign our names to a pretty card.
Other updates
Blogging: On goal for both blogs. Yeah! I've even pre-written some posts for my busier days this month. Still catching up on blog reading, but finding a better rhythm. Google Reader is overwhelming now that I'm following so many blogs. Any suggestions on how to manage it?
Miscellaneous: Just finished a wonderful book, review soon to follow (on Mom in Love with Fiction). Plus I joined the 2012 To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge. I'm looking forward to finally reading some great books I bought ages ago.
Exercise: Doing pretty well. I'm missing the warmer weather. It's so much easier to go for a run outside than to plan to go to the gym. Still avoiding sugar, but I have several events coming up where this will be a huge challenge.
Hope all my writer and reader friends are enjoying the craziness of the holiday season!
December 6, 2011
Our Own Christmas World
Memories are fleeting and traditions are a wonderful way to rememberthe good times. I might not remember all the wonderful moments of growing up,but I remember the traditions. This is especially true of the holidays.
When I started my own family, my husband and I took the best parts ofour traditions and created new ones. This is how we ended up with two Christmastrees every year, one real and one fake.
Another tradition we created for our family… one evening the week beforeChristmas, we get in the car, crank up the Christmas music, and head to ourfavorite place to eat. After dinner, we ride around and look at Christmaslights until it's time to head home for bed, Christmas music blaring the wholetime. We always come prepared with comfortable clothes and blankets.
We have fun singing and talking about the best lights we've ever seen.This reminiscing inevitably leads to talking about all our favorite holidaymemories. Sometimes we'll even stop for hot cocoa and treats before doing onelast round of lights.
When I asked my daughter about her favorite part of this tradition, shesaid, "We are all together in our own little Christmas world." Every year weseem to find a new favorite Christmas lights display. Knowing my kids lookforward to it each year brings me such joy. I hope they'll always rememberriding around, singing, and being with their family.
What's your favorite Christmastradition?
*****
From December 10 through December 22, Nadja Notariani is hosting the 12 Days of Christmas Reading Gift List onher blog, An Author's Adventures. A new title will be featured each day, so be sureto visit all twelve days.
Our novel, Depression Cookies , will be one of thefeatured books/giveaways! Stay tuned!
When I started my own family, my husband and I took the best parts ofour traditions and created new ones. This is how we ended up with two Christmastrees every year, one real and one fake.
Another tradition we created for our family… one evening the week beforeChristmas, we get in the car, crank up the Christmas music, and head to ourfavorite place to eat. After dinner, we ride around and look at Christmaslights until it's time to head home for bed, Christmas music blaring the wholetime. We always come prepared with comfortable clothes and blankets.
We have fun singing and talking about the best lights we've ever seen.This reminiscing inevitably leads to talking about all our favorite holidaymemories. Sometimes we'll even stop for hot cocoa and treats before doing onelast round of lights.
When I asked my daughter about her favorite part of this tradition, shesaid, "We are all together in our own little Christmas world." Every year weseem to find a new favorite Christmas lights display. Knowing my kids lookforward to it each year brings me such joy. I hope they'll always rememberriding around, singing, and being with their family.
What's your favorite Christmastradition?
*****
From December 10 through December 22, Nadja Notariani is hosting the 12 Days of Christmas Reading Gift List onher blog, An Author's Adventures. A new title will be featured each day, so be sureto visit all twelve days.
Our novel, Depression Cookies , will be one of thefeatured books/giveaways! Stay tuned!
December 5, 2011
The Thought that Counts
Today's NaBloPoMo prompt: What was the first gift you ever made another person?
Growing up, my mother encouraged us to make our own gifts and thank you cards all year long. But, let's be honest... anything a kid makes and gives to a parent is a masterpiece. I'll never forget the time Mom was sick and I made her a special salad. Lettuce with chopped up hot dogs and barbecue sauce. Voila!
All the ingredients needed for
hot dog saladShe went on and on about how wonderful the salad was and how sweet I was to make it for her. Later that year my Girl Scout troop decided to make a recipe book for Mother's Day. I didn't need to ask my mom for a recipe. I knew the perfect one: Hot Dog Salad. After all, Mom loved it. Needless to say, my hot dog salad looked pitiful next to the other girls' baking recipes handed down from their grandmothers.
I see why teenagers and young adults audition for American Idol and actually think they can sing. Sweet old Mom has been clapping for them for years!
A botched cross-stitch piece or poorly constructed card is precious when you are young. Here the thought really does count. Once you are an adult, well... My first adult-made gift: a homemade recipe book for my new sister-in-law.
I knew my sister-in-law loved cooking, and my husband and I didn't have a lot of money for Christmas presents, so I decided to cut recipes out of magazines for a few months leading up to Christmas. Then I bought a small scrapbook and glued them in. On the front cover, I made a title and glued on a wooden spoon. Sounds wonderful, right? Problem is I didn't know what kinds of foods she liked, so it was a hodgepodge of recipes. Add to that my complete lack of skill with creative projects, and it was pitiful. I tried, and I hope that counted for something.
Come to think of it, she never did mention the recipe book. And I didn't have the guts to ask. I'll assume it still has a place of honor among her other loved recipe books. It makes me feel better.
I feel my best homemade gifts are behind me. But, I do make a mean chocolate chip banana bread that lots of neighbors will receive this holiday season. That counts as homemade, and I guarantee grandmother's recipe will make people happy.
My gift to readers, trust me you will love this:
Grandma's Banana Bread
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup AP flour (Mom swears by King Arthur flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs, well beaten
3 ripe bananas, broken into pieces
1/2 bag of mini chocolate chips
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat again. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, and beat again. Pour half a bag of mini chocolate chips (big ones will fall to the bottom) into the batter and stir. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/4 hours.
Gluten-free version: Substitute King Arthur Gluten-free flour for AP flour (same amount). It's wonderful!
*****
When was the last time you made a gift? Was it a success?
Growing up, my mother encouraged us to make our own gifts and thank you cards all year long. But, let's be honest... anything a kid makes and gives to a parent is a masterpiece. I'll never forget the time Mom was sick and I made her a special salad. Lettuce with chopped up hot dogs and barbecue sauce. Voila!
All the ingredients needed forhot dog saladShe went on and on about how wonderful the salad was and how sweet I was to make it for her. Later that year my Girl Scout troop decided to make a recipe book for Mother's Day. I didn't need to ask my mom for a recipe. I knew the perfect one: Hot Dog Salad. After all, Mom loved it. Needless to say, my hot dog salad looked pitiful next to the other girls' baking recipes handed down from their grandmothers.
I see why teenagers and young adults audition for American Idol and actually think they can sing. Sweet old Mom has been clapping for them for years!
A botched cross-stitch piece or poorly constructed card is precious when you are young. Here the thought really does count. Once you are an adult, well... My first adult-made gift: a homemade recipe book for my new sister-in-law.
I knew my sister-in-law loved cooking, and my husband and I didn't have a lot of money for Christmas presents, so I decided to cut recipes out of magazines for a few months leading up to Christmas. Then I bought a small scrapbook and glued them in. On the front cover, I made a title and glued on a wooden spoon. Sounds wonderful, right? Problem is I didn't know what kinds of foods she liked, so it was a hodgepodge of recipes. Add to that my complete lack of skill with creative projects, and it was pitiful. I tried, and I hope that counted for something.
Come to think of it, she never did mention the recipe book. And I didn't have the guts to ask. I'll assume it still has a place of honor among her other loved recipe books. It makes me feel better.
I feel my best homemade gifts are behind me. But, I do make a mean chocolate chip banana bread that lots of neighbors will receive this holiday season. That counts as homemade, and I guarantee grandmother's recipe will make people happy.
My gift to readers, trust me you will love this:
Grandma's Banana Bread
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup AP flour (Mom swears by King Arthur flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs, well beaten
3 ripe bananas, broken into pieces
1/2 bag of mini chocolate chips
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat again. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, and beat again. Pour half a bag of mini chocolate chips (big ones will fall to the bottom) into the batter and stir. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/4 hours.
Gluten-free version: Substitute King Arthur Gluten-free flour for AP flour (same amount). It's wonderful!
*****
When was the last time you made a gift? Was it a success?
December 4, 2011
Characters of Interest: ROW 80 Check In
My husband and I try to pick a new television show every season to watch together. Too often we exchange quick goodbye kisses and run in opposite directions. Some days we talk more over email than we do in person. Our weekly television show is our date night. We should focus on each other more, but we try to at least squeeze this in.
This year the show picked us. We couldn't agree decide which show to try. One night, uncharacteristic of our typical week, we sat down at the same time. I had my laptop and he had his, but we were sitting next to each other on the couch. It doesn't hurt that our kids go to bed on school nights at 8:30pm and this show airs at 9pm. My husband, as usual, was flipping around. Finding no sports to watch, he stopped on Person of Interest .
We were so drawn in, we both set our laptops aside. We found our new show. A brief description from the show's website: "a crime thriller about a presumed dead former-CIA agent, Reese, who teams up with a mysterious billionaire, Finch, to prevent violent crimes by using their own brand of vigilante justice."
I won't lie, I was originally drawn to the show's star, Jim Caviezel. He's handsome and brooding, what more could I want? Beyond that, I am completely intrigued by his character. Is he good? Is he bad but misunderstood? Or, is he just bad?
Last week's episode ended with Caviezel's character, Reese, facing a huge decision: kill a criminal scumbag or let him live. The last scene was Reese reaching for the gun, but hesitating. I was yelling at the screen, something I don't normally do, "Don't do it!" I wanted him to have a shred of goodness, a conscience, anything I can remain invested in.
I realized this is what writers have to do with characters. I don't want some perfect Prince Charming. I want the bad guy who gradually finds his heart, usually because of the love of a good woman. Right or wrong, I'm more willing to accept a darker side in male characters. Women can have an edge, but too much darkness turns me away from the character.
Do you find you are more accepting of darkness in male characters than in female ones?
*****
My A Round of Words in 80 Days Update
Writing: More like researching and planning. I'm trying my hand at a more methodical approach. My panster tendencies too often leave me staring at a blank page. My young adult novel is about a young woman who thinks she's becoming a werewolf. I've been plotting using note cards and outlines, something new and awkward for me. Plus I'm working on the dark side of my main male character, and it's integral to this piece (one of the reasons I was so taken with our new show). Wish me luck.
Blogging: Going well. I'm really enjoying the gift theme of this month's NaBloPoMo. For a taste, check out Out of the Mouths of Babes. Mom in Love with Fiction is ramping up, too. I am joining a To be Read Pile Challenge later this week and have two books in the pipeline for review.
Editing: Working on a nonfiction sailing novel, such a departure for me but also a great learning experience. Also still editing another book. I'm so excited about it, but can't reveal anything here yet.
Miscellaneous: I finally got around to doing some blog visiting.
Exercise: Cleaning my house and decorating for the holidays count, right? Still staying away from sugar, too. My workout partner is out of town this week, so I hope to get to the gym on my own.
Hope the writing muse visits all my writer friends during the holiday season!
This year the show picked us. We couldn't agree decide which show to try. One night, uncharacteristic of our typical week, we sat down at the same time. I had my laptop and he had his, but we were sitting next to each other on the couch. It doesn't hurt that our kids go to bed on school nights at 8:30pm and this show airs at 9pm. My husband, as usual, was flipping around. Finding no sports to watch, he stopped on Person of Interest .
We were so drawn in, we both set our laptops aside. We found our new show. A brief description from the show's website: "a crime thriller about a presumed dead former-CIA agent, Reese, who teams up with a mysterious billionaire, Finch, to prevent violent crimes by using their own brand of vigilante justice."I won't lie, I was originally drawn to the show's star, Jim Caviezel. He's handsome and brooding, what more could I want? Beyond that, I am completely intrigued by his character. Is he good? Is he bad but misunderstood? Or, is he just bad?
Last week's episode ended with Caviezel's character, Reese, facing a huge decision: kill a criminal scumbag or let him live. The last scene was Reese reaching for the gun, but hesitating. I was yelling at the screen, something I don't normally do, "Don't do it!" I wanted him to have a shred of goodness, a conscience, anything I can remain invested in.
I realized this is what writers have to do with characters. I don't want some perfect Prince Charming. I want the bad guy who gradually finds his heart, usually because of the love of a good woman. Right or wrong, I'm more willing to accept a darker side in male characters. Women can have an edge, but too much darkness turns me away from the character.
Do you find you are more accepting of darkness in male characters than in female ones?
*****
My A Round of Words in 80 Days Update
Writing: More like researching and planning. I'm trying my hand at a more methodical approach. My panster tendencies too often leave me staring at a blank page. My young adult novel is about a young woman who thinks she's becoming a werewolf. I've been plotting using note cards and outlines, something new and awkward for me. Plus I'm working on the dark side of my main male character, and it's integral to this piece (one of the reasons I was so taken with our new show). Wish me luck.
Blogging: Going well. I'm really enjoying the gift theme of this month's NaBloPoMo. For a taste, check out Out of the Mouths of Babes. Mom in Love with Fiction is ramping up, too. I am joining a To be Read Pile Challenge later this week and have two books in the pipeline for review.
Editing: Working on a nonfiction sailing novel, such a departure for me but also a great learning experience. Also still editing another book. I'm so excited about it, but can't reveal anything here yet.
Miscellaneous: I finally got around to doing some blog visiting.
Exercise: Cleaning my house and decorating for the holidays count, right? Still staying away from sugar, too. My workout partner is out of town this week, so I hope to get to the gym on my own.
Hope the writing muse visits all my writer friends during the holiday season!
December 2, 2011
Elf in my Tree
Remember when our parents told us Santa was always watching. "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good..." This kept my sisters and me in line from Thanksgiving until Christmas morning. After all, we didn't want coal in our stocking.
A brilliant mother and her twin daughters started a company capitalizing on this very idea. Their Elf on the Shelf is a stuffed elf who comes to your home December 1, watches your kids' behavior, and reports back to Santa. On Christmas Eve, he or she returns to the North Pole and magically reappears in your home the following December 1.
This year we decided to adopt our own elf. We're slow to the trend. If you want more details about this new holiday tradition, please visit the website. My girls named our elf, complete with skirt accessory, Lisa.
I find Lisa a bit creepy, Chucky-like (I'm sure I'm not the only child of the 80s who remembers this horror film plastic doll), but my kids are bringing over neighbors to tell Lisa their Christmas wishes, another benefit of having your own elf is that he or she reports your wishes directly to Santa.
Every morning Lisa comes back to our house and perches in a new spot. The last two days were school days. I've never had such an easy time getting my kids out of bed. My youngest two ran around the house looking for Lisa, anxious to be the one who found her. Yesterday morning they found her in our Christmas tree. (Can you see the creep factor?)
And, I'll admit, I've used Lisa to my advantage. If the kids are arguing, I know it's as rare in my house as I'm sure it is in yours, I suggest they might want to cool it so Lisa doesn't report it back to Santa. So far, so good.
If you're wondering, this post is cryptic in nature. Lisa is real, and I wouldn't dream of suggesting otherwise. My kids love this blog!
I would like an adult version of the elf. Mine would be in bermuda shorts with a rocking body (I can only imagine what my husband's elf would look like). I'd name him Rafe. He wouldn't report on my behavior, but he would tell my husband exactly what to put under the tree. And, in a perfect world, he'd clean my house.
Would you bring an elf into your home?
A brilliant mother and her twin daughters started a company capitalizing on this very idea. Their Elf on the Shelf is a stuffed elf who comes to your home December 1, watches your kids' behavior, and reports back to Santa. On Christmas Eve, he or she returns to the North Pole and magically reappears in your home the following December 1.
This year we decided to adopt our own elf. We're slow to the trend. If you want more details about this new holiday tradition, please visit the website. My girls named our elf, complete with skirt accessory, Lisa.
I find Lisa a bit creepy, Chucky-like (I'm sure I'm not the only child of the 80s who remembers this horror film plastic doll), but my kids are bringing over neighbors to tell Lisa their Christmas wishes, another benefit of having your own elf is that he or she reports your wishes directly to Santa.
Every morning Lisa comes back to our house and perches in a new spot. The last two days were school days. I've never had such an easy time getting my kids out of bed. My youngest two ran around the house looking for Lisa, anxious to be the one who found her. Yesterday morning they found her in our Christmas tree. (Can you see the creep factor?)
And, I'll admit, I've used Lisa to my advantage. If the kids are arguing, I know it's as rare in my house as I'm sure it is in yours, I suggest they might want to cool it so Lisa doesn't report it back to Santa. So far, so good.
If you're wondering, this post is cryptic in nature. Lisa is real, and I wouldn't dream of suggesting otherwise. My kids love this blog!
I would like an adult version of the elf. Mine would be in bermuda shorts with a rocking body (I can only imagine what my husband's elf would look like). I'd name him Rafe. He wouldn't report on my behavior, but he would tell my husband exactly what to put under the tree. And, in a perfect world, he'd clean my house.
Would you bring an elf into your home?
Forever Wanting
Today's NaBloPoMo prompt: What was the most disappointing gift you received as a child?
The holidays are not the best time to manage expectations. I love birthdays, vacations, holidays, any special occasion. I plan every detail to try and make it memorable for my daughters, husband, and family.
When the occasion doesn't live up to my often overblown expectations, disappointment follows. I've learned this about myself and try to keep celebrations more low-key. At the end of the day, I want my family to feel loved. I want to create memories.
The few times I was disappointed as a child had nothing to do with gifts I received, but rather something I wanted and didn't get. My lists were full of high expectations, as are my kids' lists every year. This year, my middle daughter has a star and ranking system for her wants. The higher the item on the list and the more it's surrounded by stars, the more she wants it.
The most glaring omission through the years was a book I wanted. Yes, a book. I begged my parents for Judy Blume's Forever. Even then, I was an avid reader. Mom always encouraged reading, and books were something she'd splurge on in between special occasions. A friend and I were talking about Judy Blume and she asked if I'd read Forever. I had never heard of it. She couldn't believe it. According to her older sister, it was the only Blume book worth reading. I had to have it.
It was close to Christmas, so I put it at the top of my list. Christmas morning came and went. No Forever. I knew the book was a little more mature than the other Blume books I'd read, but I figured Mom wouldn't research a book request. Boy, was I wrong.
Long story short, Mom was not easily fooled. She pulled me aside later Christmas day and told me the book was inappropriate and written for an older audience. Thanks to my friend's older sister, I ended up reading it on the sly later the next year. Mom was right, but I will forever (pun intended) remember my drive to read that book. To this day, I credit my love of reading to both Mom and Judy Blume.
Fun fact: The very first author I followed on Twitter... you guessed it, Judy Blume.
What was your most memorable gift request that was denied?
The holidays are not the best time to manage expectations. I love birthdays, vacations, holidays, any special occasion. I plan every detail to try and make it memorable for my daughters, husband, and family.
When the occasion doesn't live up to my often overblown expectations, disappointment follows. I've learned this about myself and try to keep celebrations more low-key. At the end of the day, I want my family to feel loved. I want to create memories.
The few times I was disappointed as a child had nothing to do with gifts I received, but rather something I wanted and didn't get. My lists were full of high expectations, as are my kids' lists every year. This year, my middle daughter has a star and ranking system for her wants. The higher the item on the list and the more it's surrounded by stars, the more she wants it.
The most glaring omission through the years was a book I wanted. Yes, a book. I begged my parents for Judy Blume's Forever. Even then, I was an avid reader. Mom always encouraged reading, and books were something she'd splurge on in between special occasions. A friend and I were talking about Judy Blume and she asked if I'd read Forever. I had never heard of it. She couldn't believe it. According to her older sister, it was the only Blume book worth reading. I had to have it.
It was close to Christmas, so I put it at the top of my list. Christmas morning came and went. No Forever. I knew the book was a little more mature than the other Blume books I'd read, but I figured Mom wouldn't research a book request. Boy, was I wrong.Long story short, Mom was not easily fooled. She pulled me aside later Christmas day and told me the book was inappropriate and written for an older audience. Thanks to my friend's older sister, I ended up reading it on the sly later the next year. Mom was right, but I will forever (pun intended) remember my drive to read that book. To this day, I credit my love of reading to both Mom and Judy Blume.
Fun fact: The very first author I followed on Twitter... you guessed it, Judy Blume.
What was your most memorable gift request that was denied?
December 1, 2011
Out of the Mouths of Babes
And so it begins... BlogHer's December Blog Posting Month (still NaBloPoMo). The theme is gifts, or, more specifically, from the website: "But we're not just talking getting presents: we're looking at how we treat ourselves, what are our talents, and what do we like to give others. What is the best gift you ever got? The best gift you ever gave? How do you like to open gifts? Are you a peeker? And what about all of those non-tangible gifts that we can bestow on one another throughout the day?"
It's a lovely topic for the month of December, leading into the holidays and remembering a year almost over. I hope you'll enjoy our month of gifts.
Today's prompt: What was the first tangible gift you remember receiving?
Some of my earliest memories involve sitting around the Christmas tree: shaking boxes, counting presents, Dad reading the Christmas story from the Bible, racing cars around the tree, waking up in the wee hours of the morning to see the loot, falling asleep at noon exhausted and surrounded by gifts. The list goes on and on. But these are intangibles, the true beauty of Christmas.
By revealing my first tangible gift I'll be revealing the rotten part of me. Please excuse my children's influence over my choice of words, but sometimes kids are just plain rotten. My mother always says kids let down their guard around their mom because they know she loves them unconditionally. I'd like to think the good children of the world are insecure while my stinkers sweet angels are confident, strong young women who know the depths of their mother's love.
Back to my story... my father rarely bought Christmas gifts. He worked long hours providing for his family, and thus for our Christmas, but the burden of shopping, wrapping, choosing fell to my mother. Occasionally, and the reasons were always murky, Dad decided to go shopping. I'll never forget his foray into Barbies.
My dad was the youngest of six kids, from very humble beginnings. Although he wanted the best for us, I think it was always hard for him not to see us as, well, ingrates. We had more than he could ever have imagined as a child.
One year, I must have been eight or so, Dad bought me a Barbie set. In his mind it must have been a deal. The 12" doll came with at least twenty outfits and loads of accessories. On Christmas Eve, after coming home from church, we were allowed to open one present each. We could choose anything we wanted. As kids do, we'd find the biggest box we could. I was intrigued by the size of the box and the unusual "from Dad" sticker.
I unwrapped it slowly, savoring my moment in the spotlight. I sat for a moment looking at the bounty.
Dad: "So what do you think?"
(note: Why do parents do this? Isn't it the equivalent of, "Do I look fat in this dress?")
Me: "She'll make a great maid."
In my defense, the off-brand barbie doll did come with a broom, apron, and other accessories leading me to this conclusion. Dad left the room, mumbling ingrate under his breath. I played and played with that doll, loved her even, but she was always the maid in our Barbie house.
Such a special memory for me is now a great story my dad loves to tell my kids when I accuse them of being rotten. I guess the apples didn't fall far from the tree.
What was the first tangible gift you remember receiving?
It's a lovely topic for the month of December, leading into the holidays and remembering a year almost over. I hope you'll enjoy our month of gifts.
Today's prompt: What was the first tangible gift you remember receiving?
Some of my earliest memories involve sitting around the Christmas tree: shaking boxes, counting presents, Dad reading the Christmas story from the Bible, racing cars around the tree, waking up in the wee hours of the morning to see the loot, falling asleep at noon exhausted and surrounded by gifts. The list goes on and on. But these are intangibles, the true beauty of Christmas.
By revealing my first tangible gift I'll be revealing the rotten part of me. Please excuse my children's influence over my choice of words, but sometimes kids are just plain rotten. My mother always says kids let down their guard around their mom because they know she loves them unconditionally. I'd like to think the good children of the world are insecure while my stinkers sweet angels are confident, strong young women who know the depths of their mother's love.
Back to my story... my father rarely bought Christmas gifts. He worked long hours providing for his family, and thus for our Christmas, but the burden of shopping, wrapping, choosing fell to my mother. Occasionally, and the reasons were always murky, Dad decided to go shopping. I'll never forget his foray into Barbies.
My dad was the youngest of six kids, from very humble beginnings. Although he wanted the best for us, I think it was always hard for him not to see us as, well, ingrates. We had more than he could ever have imagined as a child.
One year, I must have been eight or so, Dad bought me a Barbie set. In his mind it must have been a deal. The 12" doll came with at least twenty outfits and loads of accessories. On Christmas Eve, after coming home from church, we were allowed to open one present each. We could choose anything we wanted. As kids do, we'd find the biggest box we could. I was intrigued by the size of the box and the unusual "from Dad" sticker.
I unwrapped it slowly, savoring my moment in the spotlight. I sat for a moment looking at the bounty.
Dad: "So what do you think?"
(note: Why do parents do this? Isn't it the equivalent of, "Do I look fat in this dress?")
Me: "She'll make a great maid."
In my defense, the off-brand barbie doll did come with a broom, apron, and other accessories leading me to this conclusion. Dad left the room, mumbling ingrate under his breath. I played and played with that doll, loved her even, but she was always the maid in our Barbie house.
Such a special memory for me is now a great story my dad loves to tell my kids when I accuse them of being rotten. I guess the apples didn't fall far from the tree.
What was the first tangible gift you remember receiving?
