Monday Moment #132: 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.)


Oh man, my friends. Have I ever dropped the ball, or what?

I promise it's not without good reason. My plate has been beyond...BEYOND full, and unfortunately I've had to gobble up many other things before getting to the yumminess that is this blog. I apologize for that. I hope it will change soon.

When has your character ever dropped the ball? What was at stake?

(An added note: I think the second question is an important one. With Cuppa, the stakes for missing a Moment aren't huge. Yes, I have guilt, especially when someone says, "Hey, where was Cuppa Jolie this week." Or something like that. You don't let me forget that I missed. But some stakes can be far bigger.)

Monday Moment #131: 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.)

No good, very bad blogger. That's me. Sorry for the inconsistencies lately. I should just say here and now, if it's a three day weekend (Monday being a holiday) there will be no Moment that day. Makes sense, right?But what happened to me yesterday? Honestly, life happened. I ended up with a family member at the ER (all is okay though). That threw my entire day for a loop.

Today is a Monday do-over of sorts. So, there ya go.

I know that in other parts of the country, school started in August, but here in the Seattle area, we just started last week. Yesterday was the first Monday of the school year. Truly, the school year in Seattle should run October to July, because our summer happens in August and September, but that's another subject.

So...the start of a new school year. And for us, it meant sending our oldest girlie off to middle school. *gasp* It's shocking. It was made harder by the fact that she was not at all looking forward to it. In fact, she was expecting her first day to be a no-good-horribly-very-bad day. Fortunately, because her expectation were so awfully low, it was actually all right. *phew* She even told a former teacher that she would give it a 7 out of 10. A huge relief for this mama, and yet, I can't believe she is a middle schooler.

Along with going back to school, there was some good old school shopping, which can be fun and insane all at once. But, one thing I especially noticed as we reached the end of summer was that the kids (and my husband) have favorite pieces of clothing they don't want to part with...no matter how stained, holey, or small they might be. Good grief!

Anyone else experience this? I'm sure I'm not alone.

My oldest has been wearing a pair of fake Uggs (even during the summer) and you can literally pull the toe up and see her little piggies inside. She also has a tank tap that had a small hole along her side that has now expanded into what looks like another arm hole. But does she want to get rid of them, or stop wearing them? NO! I believe this is a genetic thing passed on from my husband. (A little secret...when something gets *really* bad it might accidentally end up in the trash.)

What? What's that? Someone wants to call me out? Okay, fine! Maybe I have one or two things I have yet to let go of myself. So there.

How about your character? Does s/he have a favorite piece of clothing? (Describe it. Why is s/he they so attached? What would they do if something happened to it?)

Monday Moment #130: 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.)

Here's a question for you: How do you turn one lizard into two guinea pigs?

What? You find that question strange? Oh...or you think it's some kind of joke with a punch line, maybe?

No...it's a little something my children made happen, with a little help from their dad.

So, here goes. This is how you do it. (Warning: you may not want your children to read this post.)

One morning, not long after my husband had left for work, I get a call from him saying, "Open the garage and tell the kids to meet me outside."

This can't be good. You're with me, right? Warning bells.

Sure enough, my hubby arrives with a shoe box which contains a lizard, a lizard that didn't want to take no for an answer (he couldn't get it to leave his van or the road). I don't have to tell you how my children reacted to seeing this clingy lizard, except to say it was the exact opposite of my reaction. I wasn't the one who wanted to keep it.

I had all sorts of arguments for why we shouldn't: we needed to know what it was; if it was safe for the lizard; if we could provide what it need; and oh...the fact that it eats LIVE crickets.

Fred the Lizard

The kids got right to work. Don't let your children tell you they can't research online because mine learned right quick that the lizard, the one which hitched a ride on their dad's bumper, was a Northwest Alligator Lizard. They knew what it ate and what it needed to be kept as a pet. Next step? Call the local pet store to see if they had the supplies needed to keep the lizard. And, even more important, to ask if it's okay to keep it? Maybe it would just be cruel to the little guy.

Pet store fail! They said, "Hey. No problem. We've got what you need. Come on down. Oh...and you'll probably want to get a cricket habitat so you don't have to continually buy crickets."

Oh, joy!

Because I was so excited about this lizard, I thought it was only fair for the girls to fork over their own money for half the costs (and they agreed...I should have requested all the costs). Of course as we loaded up on lizardy needs at Pet Town, the girls checked out the mice, hamsters, and gerbils. Then after the we received the total and handed over $70 (FOR A LIZARD!) my youngest said, "We should've just got the mouse. It was only a couple bucks."

EEEEERCH! Uh...what? Did we not just spend all this time and money for a lizard?

As we loaded up in the car, realizing after all of that we'd actually forgotten to get crickets and meal worms for the lizard, we had a conversation. I had to ask, "Do you really want a lizard? Or if you had a choice would you prefer to have another rodent-pet (we've had gerbils in the past)."

The answer was fast and clear...they wanted something warm-blooded again. (Frankly, I was open to this because it meant no more lizard.)

In we went, stating our buyer's remorse to the nice girl behind the counter. We were able to return all the lizard supplies and now make a decision about what furry pet to bring home: The cute little white mouse with brown spots that was only $2? Or, that fat hamster...he's awfully cute. Another gerbil? Oh, but don't forget the nice girl behind the counter told us how incredibly sweet the female guinea pig was.

Guinea Pig!?!

Seriously, those things are huge. And not $2.

But, okay...let's hold the guinea pig just to check it out. That little black guinea pig snuggled into the girls' chests and made sweet squeaky sounds, and then it was my turn to hold her. 

Really? Why didn't anyone tell me that guinea pigs are so sweet. Not all squirmy and bitey like hamsters and gerbils. Well, there was no leaving without that pig. And on the way home, she was given her name: Charlotte.

Charlotte

And after the girls' Grandma and Papa fell in love with Charlotte, too, and the girls learned that guinea pigs are herd animals and are happier with a friend, Grandma decided she wanted to buy the girls a friend for their new addition. Welcome, Clarabelle.

Clarabelle

And what happened to the lizard that actually was given the name Fred? Well, we released him into the woods next to our house. And, believe it or not, not too many days later a very familiar looking lizard was under my hubby's van.

And that's how you turn one lizard into two guinea pigs.

Kids can be quite good at manipulating situations to get what they want. (Or at least mine are really good at doing it with me.)

What has your character been able to talk a grown up into doing or getting or saying?

Monday Moment #129: 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.)


Sorry I missed you all last week. I was a bit busy doing the SCBWI-Team-Blog thing, helping to commemorate the 40th anniversary of SCBWI and the summer conference. I hope you followed along on the blog, but if you haven't check it out, it's there for the looking. It was one super special event. And a bit of a dream come true for me.

Whose lap am I all snuggled up on, you ask? Why that's just me and Judy Blume: an icon and my idol.

A giddy me with Judy Blume
(I'm not actually on her lap. She invited me to the arm of her chair.)

She was an absolute highlight for me. Judy Blume was the only reason I was a reader in Middle School. I've never really understood that whole freaking-out thing when someone sees a celeb they love and admire, that is until I was in the presence of Judy Blume. It all hit me; what she meant to me as a kid and what she means to me as a writer. The best part? She didn't disappoint. She's even more wonderful than I could have imagined, and I will forever remember her graciousness.

As much fun as I had in L.A., it was also so great to get home.

But something funny happened this time when my family picked me up from the ferry boat after I arrived back in Seattle. I sandwiched in the backseat of my parents' car right between my two girlies: the best place I could be. After I kissed and squeezed each of them, my youngest said, "You smell funny." Just what a mama wants to hear upon returning home.

So then my oldest gave me a whiff. "Yeah, you smell weird."

I replied, "Well, I probably smell a bit like hotel, and airplane, and train, and ferry with an added touch of Judy Blume (that above picture had only been taken hours before)."

Later, when I finally saw my husband, he said the same. "You don't smell like you."

It got me thinking about personal scents and where they come from: our homes, laundry detergent, foods we eat, and especially the products we use. All of those items that create my scent had changed over the week. The mix was all wrong, and my family could tell.

What are some of the things your character does and some of the items your character uses that create his/her scent (or that of another character your MC is around a lot)?

Monday Moment #128: 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.)

So much going on I'm not even sure what Moment to tell you about today: I'm gearing up to leave for the big SCBWI Summer conference; I'm preparing to welcome over 200 during an Orientation just before the big event kicks off; We've been figuring out chore schedules and allowance for our girlies; My youngest girlie and I just ran in her first race, a one-mile fun run; and, we turned a lizard into two guinea pigs (now that's a story...and probably one that requires more time than I have today).

So...now to decide. What should today's Moment be?

 I choose...FUN RUN.

And it was so much fun.

At the end of this last school year my girls had a to do a one-mile run at school. I have horrid memories of running one mile for academic fitness tests and I usually did anything and everything to get out of them. My oldest girlie (11) feels the same way. But there was something about that one mile and running that my youngest (9) really enjoyed.

She ran it at school in just over 11 minutes. When we talked about it later, I mentioned how running is sport you can compete against yourself in, and she was into it. A summer goal became improving that one-mile time. We got her a great pair of running shoes and started to hit the track two to three times a week.

Then came this Saturday; a community in our area had a Whale of Run. Skylar and I got up early and drove the 45 minutes to sign up and run; a really different experience without being on a track and running along side all those other runner.

Skylar and her proud Mama pre-race.

We were sort of left in the dust as most took off a bit too fast. Of course they started to hit a wall a quarter mile in or so, but we kept on our pace. A pesky side ache slowed us down a bit but we pushed on. Skylar was determine and I tried to keep her motivated. I think she really enjoyed the fact that about half-way along, we started passing other runners.

It was hard to tell how our pace was comparing to our typical runs. Skylar had so far improved her time by quite a bit. Her best time, 10:28. So as we rounded the corner and could spot the finish we pushed a bit more. Then the clock came into view, and we could see a 9! A 9. Could we possible get our time under 10 minutes?

We made our final push to the finish and I believe we crossed that line right about 9:55. What an amazing improvement. And, So. Much. Fun.



Skylar after the race. She now says her favorite number is 186.


I was (and still am) a proud Mama. And even if she didn't say it, I know Skylar was proud of herself. And she's looking forward to another run in the future. She even said, maybe next year we can run the four mile. Amazing.

Now, I'm not a runner. I may be a fitness-loving freak. But I'm a gym rat. But let me tell you, I will run to the ends of the Earth with that kids. Pure joy. Chokes me up a bit.

It seems like there are so many questions that can be asked about character from this experience, so feel free to come up with one that might work best for your character's situations, but I'll ask this one:

What is one activity your character finds common interest in with an adult (parent, mentor, family member)? (Could certainly be positive or negative.)

Monday Moment #127: 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.)


Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

We've made it home from our big MT road trip, after a very long day on the road yesterday. But man...re-entry is painful. So much to do. So. Much. To. Do.

There are so many reasons why one (or at least me) would prefer to still be vacationing: the chores of everyday life, playing catch-up, and since I'm returning to the Seattle area...missing the summer sunshine! (Come on, Seattle. It's summer already.)

That said, there's almost always a reason to LOVE returning home. For me: my bed. Ah...I slept so well last night. I'm already looking forward to visiting it again tonight.

When your character leaves home, what about returning makes them the most happy?

Monday Moment #126: 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.)


Holy Big Sky Bungle. I thought TODAY was Monday. I'm so off my game. Well, hopefully I can get pass as I'm on the road and yesterday was my 13th wedding anniversary. Ahhh!

I'm blogging live from what my husband has dubbed Grammapalooza. Although, he doesn't have it quite right since it's more like a Grandparentpalooza, but the former sounds better. It's also been affectionately called The Silver Hair Tour.

We are currently trekking through the Big Sky state, visiting our six lovely grandparents (yes...SIX). I will say we are blessed to have so many of them still in our lives. They are all in three different cities in Montana, so we are driving a big triangle under this great big sky. First Missoula then Great Falls finally ending up in Livingston where we'll celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. Double Ahhh!

So, I won't stay here long, but share a few things we've done and seen. One grandma visited, kissed, and loved on. A full day at the Splash Montana, where no sunscreen was enough to keep our Seattle skin from getting pink. Some sweet fawns relaxing and chasing and nursing (vigorously). An ice cream cone from the famous Big Dipper Ice Cream, but the licking had to be brisk in this heat. So far, nothing but delight.

One mention of something I found funny: As I drove into Montana there was suddenly big splatters on my windshield, sounding just like rain beginning to fall as it often does in the Seattle area. I had to tell myself, that's not rain and ask (in my own mind), What is that? It was very BIG bugs reaching an unfortunate state of splat on my windshield. Ha!

Has your main character ever taken a road trip? If so where, why, and what kind of different and wonderful experiences did they have?

Monday Moment #125: 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.)


Last Monday, the 4th, blew up on me! Not in a bad way. But in a busy Fourth of July way. Hope your day was as fun as mine. I was hoping to at least type a, See ya next week message. But I couldn't even get that much done.

Being with friends (ones that are like family) on the Fourth got me to thinking about nicknames--especially nicknames for family members. I don't think there is a family anywhere where every person goes by their traditional title: Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, etc. Somewhere along the line a nickname comes along and it usually happens in a very organic way.  (In my experience, a forced nickname never works.)

In our family's case, I have dear girlfriends that have been Aunties to my girls since Day One. That said, when my oldest was barely two, instead of calling my friend Auntie Roz, she became Uncle Roz (I think because she had been around uncles more than aunties). On top of that, Uncle Roz had a handsome boyfriend (who later became her husband). His name: Gabe. So when our oldest spoke of them, they became Uncle Roz and Uncle Babe, which was too cute.

The girls with Uncle Babe

On another family note, one of our youngest's first words was Sis, and she's called her big sister that ever since. When she was young if she was asked, "What's your sister's name?" her answer was, "Sis." And still today, to hear her say he sister's given name doesn't even sound right. She will forever call her Sis (and she's the ONLY one who does).

And, now about personal nicknames? I had a couple: Squirt and JD (both were my dad's nicknames for me). As for shortening my name, I didn't like it (still don't). I never wanted anyone to call me Jo. The only person who ever did, or ever I ever let, call me Jo was my little brother.

What nicknames are in your character's family and how did they come about? Does your character have any nicknames?

Monday Moment #124: 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.)


SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! (sing it with me)
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

But, oh man... I already miss school. I miss it in several ways.

I miss it as a teacher. I'm not a regular classroom teacher any longer, but I have been working weekly with a group of home-schooled students. I miss that. I wish I could keep working with them all year long.

Then there's the things I miss as a mom. I miss the routine the school year brings. You know, there's that magical time when the kids are at school and time belongs to me and not to the kids. Call me selfish, but I find that time rather lovely.Then there's just the regularity bedtime, and other schedules. Not that there's no longer a bedtime, it's just different.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the warmer weather (the VERY little we've had of it) and additional time with the girlies, but...well, you know. I mean really, on day one they were ALREADY saying, "I'm bored."

Seriously!?!

I have to believe, that even for the kids, there is something about school that the they miss once summer hits. I'm sure it's different for each kid, but there's something.

What does your character miss about school over summer break?

Monday Moment #123: 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 mentioned in my last Monday Moment that my oldest is graduating 5th grade and moving on to the craziness that is middle school. To celebrate the 5th graders, parents created posters of the kids from babyhood on. Going through pictures stirred up a lot of memories.

On top of that, my mom pulled out a journal she's kept with funny and sweet stories about her grandkids. It's so nice to have those stories written down.

Here are two stories, one about each of my girlies, written by my mom. Both girls were about 2 and a half when the following happened.

Madison's story:

Madison discovered her roaring voice during the month of October. She was very good at it too! It was a lion-roaring voice as far as she was concerned and she was quite proud to show it off to all.

For quite a while, when asked, Madison said she would be a lion for Halloween. Somewhere, somehow, sometime that changed. Her mom bought her a beautiful lion costume, but when asked shortly after that purchase she exclaimed, "I want to be a doctor for Halloween."

I think a bit of "lion persuasion" started, to no avail. Madison wanted nothing to do with the lion costume.

One day, shortly after all of the discussion and questioning about what Madison would be for Halloween, her mom asked the controversial question, "Madison, what do you want to be for Halloween?"

Madison's reply? "Not a lion!"

Here's a photo of from that Halloween.

NOT A LION!

Skylar's story:

Skylar loves Mommy's arms. She loves to rub, pinch, and scratch. (Mommy doesn't like the pinching and scratching.) So Mommy told Skylar that if she pinched Mommy's arm she would have to stop reading a book.

Daddy said, "What's Mommy going to do if you pinch her arm?"

Skylar said, "Stop reading the book and put it away."

Daddy said, "How would that make you feel?"

Skylar said, "Sad, and then I would cry. And call Mommy poo-poo head, bad Mommy."

Those dimples help ease the pain of being called poo-poo head, bad mommy.

Ah, I love those girlies. It's fun to recall those memories. And hearing these stories made the girls crack up.

Childhood stories, those that are sweet, funny, and embarrassing, are often told by family members or others. Whether it's a fun experience for a kid or horrible depends on the story, who's telling it, where it's being told, and the kid him/herself.

What's a story recalled and told about your main character and what's that experience like for him/her?

Monday Moment #122: 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.)


My oldest girlie is graduating from 5th grade this week. I can hardly believe how fast she's grown and what a cool, young person she is. I enjoy her so very much.

We're creating a poster for her with pictures from baby to present, and it has me reminiscing. On the day she was born one of the first things we noticed about her was her tiny mouth. She'd pucker it into an itty-bitty rose bud that was so precious. We were amazed at how small she could make it.

Now she considers a shape she can make with her mouth one of her talents. She calls it her Super Frown. And she's proud of it. But seriously, you give it a try. That Super Frown is not doable for everyone. Take a look:

She can make that mouth of her into the perfect sad arch. Actually, I don't even think that's her best effort, it's just the only picture I have. Oh...I'm such a proud mom.

This got me thinking about characters and their physical quirks. Most people have some strange thing they can do with a body part that many others can't. (No dirty jokes here, people!) Sometimes it's something embarrassing that is kept hidden. Other times it's used as a form of entertainment, whether it's because it's comical or disgusting.

What physical quirk does your character have?

Monday Moment #121: 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.)


Have you ever emailed someone or recieved an email from someone and when reading their "email name" thought, Really? Or, I wonder what that all means? Or, I wonder what they were thinking? Or, hey...that's really cool.

Our email "name" can say a lot of about us. Sometimes they're just our actual name, or part of it (I have one of those), but often they're a bit more. I have another that is cuppajolie (at) which was created because of this blog name which was inspired by my love a coffee coupled with my name.

I got to thinking about this as my girls started to brainstorm names for their own email addresses. Unfortunately they came up with quite a few which were surprisingly already taken, but each was appropriate for them and their personalities.

Not all our characters will have an email address or a character might not use email in a story, but knowing what their email "name" or id would be can tell us something about them.

What is your character's email address (or what would it be if they had one)?

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 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 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 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 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?

Monday Moment #116: 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 everyone had a lovely weekend, whether it be from finally seeing sunshine, a lovely Easter celebration, eating some yummy candy, or all of the above. I have to say, the sun finally coming out in the Seattle-area brought some much needed sanity.

My hubby and I had a very early start to Easter. This was a preparation, organization, and communication issue. Meaning, we didn't do any of it well enough.

How about we start with the fact that I left the basket center pieces (huge Belgium chocolate eggs) in the back of the car, which ended up in direct sunlight. Not pretty. The eggs pretty much imploded.

That was just one issue.

In the early evening, I could have been stuffing eggs and filling baskets, however I couldn't because all of the Easter essentials were up in storage in an area I couldn't get to alone. Not a big deal except for the fact that my husband ended up needing to work ridiculously late, which left me alone to munch on Easter candy and wait...wait...wait.

The hubby finally rolled in around 12:30 AM. Happy Easter. It was time to fill baskets, stuff eggs, hide eggs, and oh, yeah...remember we always send the kids on a scavenger hunt. So we got to work. And, of course, on a night when we are already doing it things way too late, my hubby prepares a fairly elaborate hunt.

Here he is at about 2:30 AM, hanging a clue (that had to be found using binoculars) on the fence, wearing his boxers and boots. Nice look, no? It gave a me a good early morning giggle.

He's pinning up a paper bird that has a clue written on it.

We finally crashed around 3:00 only to hear our kids stirring just before 5:00 AM. I kid you not. The tone was serious when I told them to go back to sleep. And if they couldn't sleep to just try to. And that there would be no talking until 6:00 AM. And that the adults were not to be woken up until 7:00.

But it all ended up worth it. I don't have a picture of them looking through the binoculars at the bird clue, but I love this one of them looking at a clue that was taped to the ceiling.

They did request that this basket and egg hunt be more challenging, and I think they got what they wished for (even if it meant their parents were up way too late).

When has your character wished for something to be more challenging?