Monday Moment #113: 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.)

This past week was a big birthday week in our family. On Wednesday we celebrated my youngest's 9th birthday (only one more year having a girlie with a single digit). And on Thursday we celebrated my dad's 60th, a special one for sure. 

We didn't do anything over the top, instead opting for lovely steak dinner at home with my family, and my brother's. 

There were wonderful gifts and cards (we'll get to the cards, or the card, in a moment).

This is a painting of my dad's Grandma Powers. It was painted from a photograph of her at the OTO Dude Ranch in Paradise Valley (MT) where she worked...with Dudes (my Great Grandpa Powers was one of those Dudes). 

Dude, how cool is that?

There was also a spectacular hit at the party... a card. 

Take a peek:

Here's my dad's face when he opened it up. 

Now notice how the wee ones are quick to gather. 

And what happened as the night went on? Take a look.

Oh my! What a bit of inappropriate fun.

You know, there are those times as kids when the adults let the door to adult humor open, just a crack. It's quite hilarious. And extremely memorable. I still remember my grandpa's 50th birthday cake that had a provocatively posed doll dressed in a see-through gown sitting on top of it. Sah-weet!

Now, I'm sure my girls and their cousins will remember their papa's 60th birthday card with the large boobs that vibrate to the beat of the stripper song (I hope they don't hum that diddy at school). 

What glimpses into the at-times-inappropriate adult world have your characters encountered?

Monday Moment #112: a writing prompt for your-work-in-progress

Excuse me. I'm a bit grumpy at the moment. But we're friends. I can vent, right?

If you're a weekly reader, you know I wrote about my love of lists recently. And, oh my! My lists have been crucial lately. Life's been a wee bit busy. But it's all good.

However, sometimes I feel behind. Like today. It's already 4:30 and I have yet to post this Moment.

I was trying to be efficient earlier and think about what I wanted to tell you while I took my shower. It's usually a good place for me to think. Funny thing though, all that I could think to write about was pet peeves. And yet, nothing pet-peeve-ish has happened lately (at least not that I could recall). So what to write?

OR...

Perhaps I was having a psychic moment. Because something that really bugs me did happen today. Twice now!

Blog spam.

I hate blog spam. I dislike spam in general. But I really loath random messages left in the comments. Today I got comments from two different blogs (or sites), both contained the word "casino." Why? I don't get it.

One message read, "very strange."

You know, I agree. Not only is it strange, but it bugs me beyond buggy-ness. I suppose now that I used the word "casino" in a post I'm in for even more fun.

This just in: as I'm right now writing this post, a third "casino" comment has come in. Really!?! Peeved...big time. (If you feel like it, say a quick hello so I'm hearing from more than these casino people.)

What are some of your character's pet peeves?

Monday Moment #111: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(Note: I swear this was scheduled to post yesterday morning. Anyone else having trouble with Blogger posting?)

(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.)

Caught-cha lookin'!

And again. (Stop it already!)

I had an experience with double takes the other day. We all do it. Something, or someone, catches our eye, and for whatever reason, we glance again.

Several days ago, I was on the opposite end of the double takes, an awkward feeling (at least for me). It made me a bit uncomfortable, and made me wonder, why in the world do people keep looking at me (it happened multiple times within a two-hour period).

I did happen to be dressed a bit nicer than my regular running-around clothes, but nothing over the top. My lovely family (when I asked them if something about me was strange that day because people kept looking my way) did try to tell me that I'm a pretty girl, and that people might look twice. (They are very sweet.) But then I thought about the super model I once heard say that people had really been looking at her a whole lot one day, making her feeling like she's was extra hot, only to find out later that her skirt had been tucked into her waist band and her backside was hanging out. Well, I wasn't wearing a skirt/dress, and I knew there was no TP stuck to me anywhere, but it really did make me wonder what was up that day.

Also, at the time, I was in the middle of reading a crazy, creepy book, The Marbury Lens, and the character often wonders if people know his secrets, he feels like they can tell. (On a recommendation note: a great read if you know you're not getting some sweet story. It's quite disturbing, and it made me wonder what it would be like to be in Andrew Smith's head while he was writing it. It's a book that's hard to put down. Sara Zarr wrote about it HERE.)

There's just something unnerving when people, especially ones you don't know, are looking at you, then looking again.

If your character was getting double takes, why would s/he think it was happening?

Monday Moment #110: 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 apologize, Monday Moment #110. It's not that you weren't as important as the Moments that came before you, it was all because of me and my inability to get you done last Monday. *hugs*

So, my poor Moment, the one should have gone up last week, was delayed by my very long to-do list last Monday.

I love lists. They literally help me survive. They get me through tasks, events, projects, days, and on and on. List lovers out there, I know you feel me.

So, last Monday my to-do list was long. Too long. Overwhelmingly long. On top of my long list, I was dealing with it on a day that wasn't going so hot for me. That all said, that list was making my knees buckle. The Monday Moment post was a to-do on the list, I just never got it to the DO part.

Regardless, I could have still done it, but I couldn't get to it 'til after the kids were in bed and the house settled down around 10-ish. But when that time rolled around, I was the thing that was done. Done!

So, MM #110 has remained on the list, and now I've cross it off (a week late). Feels good.

What kind of a list would your character make and what would be on it?

Monday Moment #109: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

I want to use this Monday Moment time to remember and honor Lisa Wolfson, also know as L.K. Madigan .

I've started this post several times now. It continues to feel like the words just aren't coming out right. I think my struggle has been knowing exactly what to say. I've tried to say it in several different ways but think what I've been attempting to express is that she will be missed by so many.

I knew Lisa, but didn't know Lisa. I've read her blog. I've corresponded with her online. I've met her at a couple of different conference. She did nothing less than leave an unbelievable impression on me. Part of the sorrow I feel is knowing I won't have the chance to know her better.

Our writing community has lost a beautiful heart.

In lieu of a writing prompt I request, in honor of Lisa, that you write someone a message of love or appreciation. 

If you haven't done so already, you can read a message on Lisa's blog from her husband, and how you can contribute to a fund for her son's college education.

Monday Moment #108: 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.)

Happy President's Day!

Or Happy a-reason-to-have-a-day-off-from-school Day for the kiddos! Right? For us writer types, that means a non-day-off for us. Kids are home, which equals an added distraction.

What will you do with this day? Are you making the most of it? Or of the whole long weekend? Heading out for the day (or more) to do something fun? Sadly, I know some of you are getting even MORE snow. Or maybe, like me, you're staying home in your comfy clothes and plan to attempt to get the work done, even with the distraction of the kids.

If your main character had the day off from school, what would they be doing? And maybe more important, what would they want to be doing?

Monday Moment #107: 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.)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Will you be mine? (Well, at least for the next five minutes?)

You know, I'd love to ask you to be mine, but I do already have several special Valentines: my hubby and my girlies.

But, I think we can all have many Valentines. Yes?

My hubby has my heart, and I'll always be his Valentine, and he'll be mine. But my girls are also mine. I also always want to be my dad's special Valentine. I still remember as a kid the time my dad made me a handmade Valentine card with a poem he'd written inside. Now, I have to say, he also did the same for my mom and brother, but I that's a Valentine's Day that stands out.

Dad's take note: if you have little girls, you are their very first and most special Valentine. So spoil them with lots and lots of cheesiness each February 14. Truthfully, they'll remember it more than any teen crush's attempts at, BE MINE.

I don't know about you (we're all different creatures) but the most meaningful things for me are not gifts but things that really come from the heart, like a handmade card or a love letter. That will get me every time over flowers or candies or presents.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, FRIENDS! I hope your cuppa spills over with love today.

Thinking of your character this Valentine's Day, who are their Valentines? And what kinds of acts/gifts make them feel most loved (or do they most desire)?