Ellyn Oaksmith's Blog, page 3
August 11, 2017
Dog Days of Summer
Dear Diary: where did summer go? It's August. How did that happen? July is a beautiful wheel that starts out slowly and somehow magically grows. By the time my garden looks great, the giant wheel of summer crushes it. Teens who were so adorable in June are now hot/bored/overworked/tired. Smoky forest fire air and outdoor swimming led to lung issues. Who knew that was a thing? Smart people, I guess.
And then, dear diary, there's Lucky Dog. He had surgery a couple weeks ago. It was fine. For 2 days. Then Lucky dog turned into a zombie -- panting, pacing, drooling. After a 1:30 in the morning trip to the Vet ER we found out that our dog has a bad reaction to opiates, which is cool because it would stink to have a dog with a drug problem. So he heals. And heels. And all is going well. Diary, you sure as heck know where this is going. Yes, his first walk in our local grade school yard -- safest place in the world, leads to injury as he walks very slowly. Somehow he manages to injure his paw. No big deal. Wrong.
Long story short: Dear diary, I have to go right now because I have to slip a plastic bootie on my dog so he can go outside and pee. Seriously. This is my life.
Which is why I write comedy. Exactly why I write comedy. Because life is funny. Until it's not.
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Ellyn Oaksmith is the USA Today bestselling author of the upcoming Chasing Nirvana (Fall 2017,) 50 Acts of Kindness and other books. She lives in Seattle.
May 5, 2016
This blog has moved
Hi everyone. I’ve moved my blog to this address http://ellynoaksmith.com/
I
April 25, 2016
10 Sure Things: Wisdom Gleaned from the Girlfriends Book Club
10 Sure Things: Wisdom Gleaned from the Girlfriends Book Club
Two years ago when author Sylvie Fox asked me if I was interested in joining the Girlfriends Book Club I was flattered, honored and terrified. The technology was baffling — how did I log onto someone else’s blog? All the authors were impressive, intimidating and did I really have enough to say? Nonetheless, I’d entered my 50’s with the firm resolve to say “yes” and step beyond my comfort zone. It…
March 30, 2016
Letter to Myself as a Young Writer
Letter to Myself as a Young Writer
Dear Young Ellyn: I’ve noticed you’re a little big shy, a lot worried about what everyone else is thinking and a little bit too involved in your own love life. First of all, don’t worry about your love life. It isn’t even really love. These guys are place holders for the really amazing man who will show up right after your 30th birthday. So don’t waste so much energy on those losers. They are…
February 22, 2016
From Screenplays to Writing Novels: Letting Go of Fear
From Screenplays to Writing Novels: Letting Go of Fear
My journey as an author has been one big surprise party. Somehow I shoved myself into the door of my own party and woke up when everyone screamed — it’s your first novel! People are reading it. Although I first fell in love with writing in 4th grade when the teacher told us that 12 Short stories about my life in LA as a screenwriter, working in Alaska and coming to terms with depression. this…
February 15, 2016
Free E-Book and Happy Presidents Day
Free E-Book and Happy Presidents Day
FREE E-BOOK ON AMAZON Happy Presidents Day. My short story collection in memoir form is free today. Perhaps the only thing this might has in common with George Washington is that he enjoyed reading, when he had time, although it was likely the bible or history. Here’s a great link to learn some fun facts about Washington — such as he never had children of his own, he never wore a wig, he was a…
January 17, 2016
Writing a Memoir? Eat your Wheaties.
Writing a Memoir? Eat your Wheaties.
Click for the my newsletter with a limited time FREE DOWNLOAD I’d flirted with the idea of writing a memoir for a few years. If Mary Karr could toss her guts onto the page why couldn’t I dabble? I could never approach the mastery of The Liar’s Club or Lit so what did I have to lose? Occasionally I’d make a stab, re-read it and happily bury the work. Until one day, mere pages from completing my…
January 5, 2016
Like Free Books, Bags and Cool Soap? Read on.
Like Free Books, Bags and Cool Soap? Read on.
January News: free e-book newsletter giveaway extended to 1/15/2016. One drawing for a book bag and everyone gets a free e-book — Funny is the New Sad, my small collection of short stories about my life as a screenwriter, working on fishing boats in Alaska and learning to live with depression. Each month there’s a cool giveaway, great book suggestions and every other issue, recipes and my Five…
January 4, 2016
2015 in review -- Hello USA/Canada/Germany/India!
2015 in review — Hello USA/Canada/Germany/India!
Photo link to my books Hey everyone, thanks so much for a fabulous 2015. WordPress made this a neat little graphic display to show where you are from so Hello USA, Canada (I am 50% Canadian) and Germany. India and Australia, although I have never been to your country, boy I do hope to make it there in person some day. Europe, I’m dying to go back and Vatican City (I know this from Amazon) —…
December 8, 2015
Is my new book Funny is the New Sad free? No. There's a hitch.
Is my new book Funny is the New Sad free? No. There’s a hitch.
Join my newsletter and my new short story collection about my life as a screenwriter, working in Alaska and crashing to earth with depression is free. Giveaway for December: a grey and white hat knit by yours truly. E-book offer over by 12/31/15. eepurl.com/2ZfTP Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, romantic contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Family Secrets. Her…
