Monday, May 30, 2011

Monday Moment #120: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)



I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

I almost didn't get to this today. It is a three-day weekend so tomorrow feels more like the Monday. But here I am.

We don't have any big traditions for this particular weekend. Well, that's not all true. We do have a backyard campfire (in the fire pit) and roast hot dogs and marshmallows. But, no special outings. No camping trips (really, it's never warm enough in the Seattle area over this holiday weekend to think about camping). Just time at home.

This weekend started for us early when the phone rang late morning on Wednesday. We had a sick girlie at school. My husband brought her home, only to be greeted by a sick dog (and you all know how you figure out the dog's been sick!). Then, soon after, another call from the school. Our second girlie...down. Fevers. Tummy aches. Headaches. Bleck! And I was already sick, so my hubby had four sickies to take care of.

So a bit of a quiet weekend it's been, but still with some desire to get something done.

For us, I'm not sure why, we decided to rearrange our bedroom. Done that recently? It's a bit of risk because you're not sure (at least we weren't) if it will work, and all fit the way you hope it will, or if you'll even like it. But we did. Or we do! It's like a whole new room. (Although, I am still trying to adjust to being on the opposite side of the bed.)

The only thing I wish is that we would have come across something long forgotten, or lost. Unfortunately, all we found was a lot of dust.

What has your character discovered when rearranging/cleaning a bedroom, cleaning out a closet, cleaning beneath the bed, etc.?

Monday, May 23, 2011

Monday Moments #120: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


You know that expression, "You can't have just one." I think it's some chip company slogan maybe, but it's true for all of us regarding different yummies.

For me it's usually sweets.

And, I guess the sweet factor still applies to my current addiction: old home videos.

Somehow, a bit too late the other night, we popped in an old home movie of the girls when they were about one and three. Talk about sweet. And down right hilarious.

We ate it all up. The one-year old giving a big old raspberry (the spitty kind) to a bright ray of sunshine, watching her spittle fly and cracking herself up. And, the almost three-old who liked to entertain her baby sister by telling her to "Get the tushie. Get the tush," while she wagged her backside at her little sister. And, oh...just to hear their sweet little voices. I laughed. I cried.

I couldn't stop watching them.

Neither could they. The girls were fascinated and even more entertained by their teeny-little selves. They couldn't get enough.


The down side of this post is that there are no video clips to attached, because attach I would. The girls  came a bit before the whole digital explosion (for video). Sadly. Now all those weird, small cassettes need to be transferred to CD.


Has your character seen video of their much-younger self? If so, what was their experience like? Or, if not, why?

Monday, May 16, 2011

Monday Moment #119: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


I was just opening Blogger to write my next Monday Moment about carnivals, but this Moment has now been hijacked by eavesdropping. That is, I'm  eavesdropping on two unsuspecting teen girls.

I wish they'd speak up so I can hear all they are saying word for word.

But now I bring you: THINGS OVERHEARD WHILE EAVESDROPPING ON TEENS WHEN I'M SUPPOSE TO WRITING (nobody ever warns teens that a writer might be sitting at the table next to them)


"She looks like someone who would eat people." Yep! This is the line that caught my ear and made me keep listening. 

"It looks like a diamond booger."

Girl One: "How much do you weigh?"

Girl Two: "Uh, about 106 pounds."

"Girl One: "I think I weigh about 109."

 A bit later, 109 lbs. says to 106 lbs., "Your hands look really skinny right now. I don’t know why." 

Now, they are dancing. One teaching the other dance moves right here, about four feet from my table.

I wonder what they'd do if I asked them if I could learn, too?

Maybe I should start to beat box. 

Who can get anything done when there are dancing teens in the room? Not me.

Okay... dancing is done. Back to eavesdropping.

"Well, I'm a loner so..."

And, back to dancing.

"I'll never go anywhere without my eyeliner. I have gel black eyeliner. I have black pencil eyeliner. I have purple black eyeliner..." (Oh, I give up. I can't keep up with that many eyeliners. There must have been 8 or more.

No, no, no. Don't whisper. Now I can't hear a thing!

Ah...they're packing up, heading to dance class. Bye, girls. It was fun. Always a learning experience.

But now, three older teen girls have just joined the party. Let the next round of eavesdropping begin.

Q: When has your character eavesdropped and what did they hear?

Monday, May 9, 2011

Monday Moment #118: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


In last week's post, I mentioned pulling off multiple surprises. And I did! So many that I was too exhausted to actually write about it last Monday (plus it was my oldest's double-ones day).

On May 1st my wonderful parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, and for the past couple of months I've been plotting and scheming to throw them a party.

Perhaps there's a couple things you should know. You might wonder why such a big bash for 40 years instead of waiting for 50. Well, this was the year that felt really important to me. My dad, only 60 years young, has been battling early-onset Alzheimer's for the past 6 years. So, as 40 years approached, I knew it was time for something special for an incredibly wonderful, and very loved couple.


Mom and Dad

The plotting began.

At first, I didn't think the party would be all that large: just some close friends and a few family members who might be able to make the trek all the way to the peninsula. Knowing that I would also have many friends and family who wouldn't be able to join us, I wanted arranged a most lovely gift to commemorate the special anniversary, as well.

But...SURPRISE! I ended up being the first to be hit by the unexpected. I thought that we might have an intimate gathering of 20 to 25, but the party grew and GREW. Suddenly I was expecting 50 plus at a party I was hosting in our home. Whee...let the ride begin.

The surprises for my parents started small. First, I had to be very nonchalant (ie. keep it cool and not panic) when my mom starting talking about plans she might make herself. On the Wednesday before the party, as my mom struggled to figure out what she and my dad should do, or where they should go, I told her that my brother and I had just talked and we really wanted to a have a special dinner for them on Saturday. Of course I was sure to let her know that we didn't want to ruin their plans *wink wink*, but we'd really like to celebrate with them.

Success. The set-up was in place.

The start of big surprises started the next day, beginning with four of seven family members arriving from out-of-state. They rented an incredible house right on the bluff of in Port Townsend overlooking the ferry dock.

My dad and oldest with the magnificent view. If you look close you can see Mt. Rainier.


My parents didn't suspect a thing until I called them on Thursday afternoon and asked them to meet me in town.

"Why?" my mom asked.

"Because I want you to see a friend's house."

"Okay." She said with great suspicion. "Where should we meet you?"

"The Post Office."

"The Post Office?"

"Yes. Park at the Post Office and call me when you park."

You'd be confused too, right? You see, this great house was directly across the street (from the PO).

When they arrived, I walked them into a strange house, and of course they were utterly confused. Until they saw this view, as well as my grandparents, great aunt, and cousin sitting below in the living room. Joy!

View from the entryway of the house. We never tired of the view.


This is when the tears started, and continued for a few days.

Surprise two was my uncle's arrival later that night.

Followed by surprise three, the following day, when my dad's cousin and his wife arrived. Seven family members from four different states. It was wonderful.

View again from entryway. We had a great time hanging out there.

By the time all arrived, I said to my parents, "So, a few more people are joining us for dinner tomorrow."
And, I'm sneaky. I dropped hints like, "I'm going to dress up tomorrow. I like to have a reason to wear a pretty dress."

The preparations started bright and early on Saturday morning, as I scrambled around, cleaning house, picking up the cakes and flowers, plus some cleaning and chopping. Then all the food and drink came out from their hiding places, and family arrived to be extra hands as the kitchen geared up for the big event.

All the craziness revealed the next surprise. Clearly I was preparing for something much larger than a family dinner.

"There will be some friends joining the celebration," I told my parents and then I continued directing in the kitchen. Frankly, I was panicked it wouldn't all get done, but somehow, at the last minute, it all came together. Beautifully!


My Great Aunt Liz works with my girls putting together caprese bites.

The doorbell began ringing, and with each person who walked through the door I watched my parents' eyes light up. I think that might have been the biggest joy of my day.


Entrway table of the party, celebrating a beautiful couple.

As person after special person came through the door, our home filled with about 60 people, most traveling quite a distance to celebrate a special couple.

But the surprises weren't over. One that had been in the works for a while.

Richard Jesse Wastson and his wife Susi were two of our special guests. About an hour into the party, an easel and a covered something-or-other was placed in the living room. We gathered and I attempted to thank everyone for coming and say some special words to my parents. That said, I was so choked up, I struggled a bit (or a lot) to get it all out.


Trying to hold it together.
Richard then helped me unveil a gift given to my parents from their many friends and family: a commissioned piece of art done by Richard.


Richard Jesse Watson talks about the painting, and some special touches.

It was a most beautiful surprise.

My mom has said many time, "Someday I would love to own an original piece of Richard's." But more in a dreamy-wouldn't-it-be-wonderful sort of way.

Now, not only do they own one, but it was done just for them, filled with many things special to them: the beach, mountains, moon, eagles, and heart-shaped rocks (something they collect). And to make it that much more special, sprinkled on that beach are forty heart-shaped rocks. Perfect.

Art by Richard Jesse Watson from loving friends and family to celebrate my parents' 40 years.
I'm sure it's pretty obvious that this was far more than a Moment for me and my family...but let us not for get the Moment and the prompt. And thanks for letting me share this beautiful celebration with you.

What surprise(s) has your character pulled off?

Monday, May 2, 2011

Monday Moment #117: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my characters better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.)


I'm going to make you WAIT for this one (or I guess the next one).

Because I like...

SUSPENSE (plus, I don't have time for what the post will require)!

It was a very busy weekend around these part.

I pulled off multiple surprises.

To be continued...

What has your character had to wait to hear about?