I woke up at five this morning to find that I was clinging to the side of my mattress like an African tree frog. My fingers were all splayed out, and I was hanging on for dear life. Why? Because my side of the bed was filled up with my fleecy-pajama-clad six-year-old and the snoring family dog. I staggered to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and found a new wrinkle on my face. It wasn't a smile line by my eye either. It was a cheek wrinkle. A wrinkle on my cheek. Not a pretty sight, people! Nobody, but nobody, wants one of those.
This was not a good morning. Probably, because it had not been a good night. I was awakened, gasping and disoriented, three times by three different children looming over me while shaking my arm. One wanted to know if she could sleep on the couch in the family room. Another said he had a bad dream. The last, my 13-year-old ballerina, told me I had to get up and drive her to a company dance practice.
Scenarios like these are pretty standard when you're a mom, and actually, my day hasn't been awful at all. The cheek wrinkle even subsided a bit. Do you find adding ordinary experiences to your writing beneficial? Do those real, relatable happenings make the story seem more true?
I received a great award from Shelley at Stories In the Ordinary. I love reading her posts and comments. She has a unique way of looking at things and her blog is always interesting and insightful. Visit and see for yourself!
Without further adieu, I'll pass this award on to a group of remarkable people. These blogs are recent discoveries for me, and I know you'll enjoy them...(in fact, you may already be following these gems).
Emily at A Heart On A Wire
Aubrie at Author, Flutist, Teacher
Carolina at Carol's Prints
Rebecca at Rebecca Knight: Writer in Progress
E. Elle at The Writer's Funhouse
Theresa at Substitute Teacher's Saga
Congratulations, you are victims of your own excellence! You deserve some praise!
Now pass this cute kitty along to bloggers you admire.
Oh boy! Thank you so much. I know of two cat lovers, (I'm allegric *sniff sniff*) so I'll definitely give it to them.
ReplyDeletethank you!
Aww thank you so much for the kind words! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Roxy! Looking forward to visiting some new blogs. And wow, do I love the description "victims of your own excellence" - that's going in my words to remember notebook.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of new wrinkles, I recall a time I didn't have to write down memorable words, I actually remembered them...
You are so sweet. Thank you for the award, which is much appreciated. I'll check out the other blogs.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your day is going well despite sleep deprivation (And a temporary cheek wrinkle). I agree that adding personal details within a story makes it that much richer. When I write my blog, I'm always trying to decide what's a nice anecdote and what's boring/long-winded.
Congrats on the award. I'll try to check out some of the new links on the weekend :)
ReplyDeleteOrdinary things are so useful, because you can twist them into something perfect for your novel. :)
I am often allowed only a foot or two of space in my own bed. So I can totally relate.
ReplyDeleteVictims of your own excellence. That would be great name for another award.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
Whoo hoo!! I'll gladly be victimized under these circumstances.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Roxy! I left you an award on my blog:)
ReplyDeleteAnother question--could I email you? I would love your feedback on my WIP:)
ReplyDeleteLet me know.
email christine.danek@verizon.net
Thanks!
Ain't it great when there's so much love in your world that there's hardly room to hold it all? I'm lovin' the way you described your world of love.
ReplyDeleteYaya
Yaya's Changing World
I find that using ordinary experiences in novels make for the best reads. They have a wonderful way of drawing the reader in through recognition, familiarity!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roxy! I must admit, I giggled excitedly at the thought of being a "gem." Aww... *tear* :o)
ReplyDeleteAwww, what a wonderful award!!! Thank you, Roxy. I love it and will display it proudly.
ReplyDeleteYour morning sounds like it might have been a bit annoying, but you're right, very much a part of normal parenthood. And yes, I think those normal life details are very important in writing. Love how you started this post. (and how you ended by giving me an award!!) Thank you!