Monday Moment #47: 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 character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

On Saturday my family went to the theater to see Fantastic Mr. Fox. We smuggled in our little baggies of popcorn and our ginormous boxes of store bought candies. This has nothing to do with the story, but I've decided to confess my cinematic sins right here and now. (Although I did purchase a large soda to share with the girls. For $5.75 I might add. Plenty spent there!)

As we waited for it to get rolling, a family sat next to mine. The mom, with a toddler on her lap, leaned over and said, "This is his first time in the movie theater." I'd guess the boy on her lap was three-ish. As the movie played he was wonderfully quiet (you never know with a little one). But at one point in the movie, Ash gets out of his bed and runs his toy train. That's when the little boy next to us shouted out, "Train! Train! Train!" It was obvious he was thrilled by it. It was sweet.

It got me reminiscing about my little ones' first movie theater experiences. Especially my youngest who had two very funny outbursts. Even though we have told the story once, twice, and even three times, it had to be told again.

Outburst One:

SHREK 2

My youngest was two. In one scene, Shrek and Fiona are staying at her parents' castle and are getting out of bed. When Shrek emerges from under the covers, he is in his boxer shorts that happen to be, well, let's say in pretty bad shape. At this image our girlie says in her two-year-old volume (that would be shouting out for the whole theater to enjoy), "Look, Daddy, Shrek has underwear just like you." And yes, there was laughter. (However, please don't think my hubby wears ogre-like undies.)

Outburst Two:

March of the Penguins

Our youngest was three for this one. But as Morgan Freeman delivered that wonderful opening narration, he made a statement that threw our girlie for a loop and she was sure to share with everyone in attendance. I might not get the words exactly right, but he said something about how the film was about love. As soon as our girlie heard that, she said, "Love? Love? I thought this movie was going to be about penguins."

Now we, as her parents, must retell these theater stories each and every time they come to mind because it delights us. However, it may not delight her.

What story is brought up over and over about your character and how do they feel about it?

Monday Moment #46: 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 character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

"That's not fair!"

Really, can anything ever really be fair?

But if I had a quarter for each time that phrase is utter in my house, I'd be loaded. Oh, yeah! That's right. We now have a fine jar and a quarter must go in each time it's said (even by the grown ups). Too bad it works so darn good or I would be rolling in the coinage. Instead, they figure out other ways to complain about it.

With two daughters, only a couple years apart, it's amazing how much is compared. All. The. Time. Really, everything's compared: the soda level in their cups, the size of the rice krispy treat, even the size (or parts) of an english muffin. I mean, really! The other day, my youngest swore I gave her big sister the two fat halves (you know how there's always a skinny side and a fat side) of the muffin. oy

Do you sense a food theme here? However, it's not just about food. My youngest was upset the other day because her older sister gets to earn points to get a "prize" at the orthodontist. IT'S NOT FAIR! Right? Because the youngest doesn't go to the orthodontist, at least not yet. sheesh

There's this constant comparison and measuring and jealousy. But really, I think this happens at all ages, in different ways (even for us grown-ups), we all just handle it differently.

How about for you character? What do they think "isn't fair" and how do they react to it?

National Book Awards!!!

Today, any and all of us who know Laini Taylor and Jim Di Bartolo, are wishing wishing wishing and hoping hoping hoping that Laini will take the stage and accept the National Book Award for LIPS TOUCH tonight.

I'm so excited and nervous and anxious for them and sooo wish I could be a fly on the wall (a fly in a cocktail dress!).

There have been all sorts well wishes heading Laini and Jim's way, and body parts are being crossed all over the place. But I think Jone MacCulloch has come up with the BEST idea yet: kiss three times today in hopes of a LIPS TOUCH win.

Yes?

YES!YES!YES!

Let's all make it happen. Lips must touch three times! (I'm already plotting my three.)

As a matter of fact, I think I'll do everything in threes today.

Do You Write with a Playlist? If you do, I want to hear from you!

PUBLISHED FRIENDS, I NEED YOUR HELP!

Do you use a playlist when you write?

If you do, I want...no I NEED...to hear from you.

I'm giving a talk at SCBWI Western Washington in December. Whee! I'll be chatting about voice and using music to help get my ideas across (everything's better with music, yes?). I'm hoping your playlist (or a song from it) and your novel can help. BONUS: If it works for my talk, I'll ask the bookstore to carry your book (just in time for the holidays).

happyhappyjoyjoy

Anyone game?

Email me for more info at cuppajolie at gmail dot com.

I'm already so excited to hear from you and to have a bursting inbox (pleasepleaseplease) and be so veryveryvery torn on what to use!!!

Monday Moment #45: 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 character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

I've been B.A.D.!

Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but I was certainly bad for me. Just not making the wisest of choices. And yes, I'm calling myself out on it.

Last night Derek and I were invited to a cocktail party. It's not often we get out, so these sorts of things are exciting. And it was going to be my kind of night: a nice gathering of friends from 5:00 to 8:00. Okay, so what? I've never been a all-night sort of partier. Come to think of it, I've never been much of a partier at all, especially when it comes to cocktails.

Don't get me wrong. I love a glass of wine or a tasty, grown-up beverage, but not one after another. I actually hate the after-effects of too many drinks, and typically, I'm very careful to avoid such a thing.

You see where this going, yeah?

But wait, there's even more to the story. So, I went to the cocktail party, all the while knowing I was teaching a Bodystep class the next morning. But no problem, I thought. It wasn't going to be a late night and I'd only have a drink. Right?

WRONG!

There were YUMMY drinks. Three cocktails, to be exact: gin and tonic, blueberry cosmo, and a basil martini.

Okay, yeah. I drank one of each. Yes I did. And yes...I do know I am a light weight. Totally! Plus, I think those cocktails were on the strong side. (Can you say bad choice?)

I did make it home early (before 9:30, sort of embarrassing) but man, all of sudden the impact of those three cocktails was taking over.

I drank water and more water, took some Advil, and had even more water. But when I woke up in the middle of the night still feeling the full effects...well, I started to worry. What was I thinking? Because, really, no matter what, I knew I had to teach Bodystep in a matter of hours with all it's up-down, jumping around, and making you feel like you could hurl--on a GOOD day.

Morning came faster than I would have liked. I drank my coffee, ate some toast, and it was time to head on my way.

There are consequences to our choices, friends! Like having to step outside and puke in between songs through the class. No, no, no...that last sentence was all fiction. BUT if I were writing about this stupid choice for a character, FOR SURE she'd end up ralphing out the back door and trying to hide it. She'd be miserable.

Luckily, I made it through just fine. Hard? Yes. But it always is, yet still fun.

What choice(s) does your character make even though they know it may (or will) have a bad result?

Writerly Confidence: a game of Chutes and Ladders

A writer's confidence can be as up and down as my feet while I teach a Bodystep class.

If you, as a writer, don't have those ups and downs, well then, you are a robot.

Over the weekend I watched a writer friend ride her ups and downs, but I'm certain, dare I say I'm confident, that she impressed many at the retreat. Why do we put ourselves through that? It's like a grown-up game of Chutes and Ladders.

But tonight I was thinking about a whole other type of writerly confidence. Not the "I'm a great writer one minute" sort of confidence followed by a the "I suck and should never write again" completely gone confidence. Instead it's the confidence with which you approach the computer (or paper or pencil), really, the way you attack your story.

Pardon me while I switch gears. Many of you know I also teach fitness classes (Bodypump and Bodystep). They are choreographed, group-fitness classes and as the instructor I must know a 60-minute class song by song, count by count. Not only that, but I need to demonstrate perfect form as well engage and connect with my class.

What's that have to do with writing you ask?

It does. It so does. (At least in my brain.)

I've especially noticed this as I've started to teach Bodystep (there is a lot going on and so much to remember). But here's the thing, if I go at it worried that I'm going to misstep or forget, then you know what happens? I misstep and forget. The second I lose confidence in my ability to deliver, I mess up...even though I know I can do it.

Isn't it the same with writing?

As soon as I start to get in my head and stop trusting that I can tell my story, that's when it all goes wrong. But if I sit down at the keyboard and let go, get out of my own way, and let the story flow out...well, that's when the magic happens.

Do you ever get in your way?

Monday Moment #44: 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 character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

I'm so very late getting to this post. I know. *hangs head feeling so very bad*

But with good reason (pretty much!).

I had a lovely weekend. *Jolie sighs, thinking back to only yesterday*

I have a super, SUPER advisory committee position as part of the SCBWI WWA. I now wear the retreat director hat, and this past weekend was the big event: Weekend on the Water!

Approximately 50 writers gathered at the gorgeous Alderbrook Resort to work with Cheryl Klein (Arthur A. Levine Books) and Ruta Rimas (Balzer + Bray). It was a jam-packed weekend filled with writing, camaraderie, learning, laughter, and, dare I say, a touch of relaxation. (I do know many of us were moms away for the weekend and food was put on the table and dishes taken away to be washed. And none of US did it. Ahh!)

Plus, I provided lots of little candy bits (as any good retreat director should). Even Nuts, our retreat mascot, dug into the candy. You can see he held on tight because it was going quick.

Anyway, it really was such a nice weekend. The kind you wish would occur more often that it does, or just last that much longer. I mean, look at this view...

Where does your main character find escape or wish they could go to get away?

Playing Dress Up

Last week I mentioned my dilemma as I tried to figure out what to be for Halloween. It really came down to two choices (and I almost did both).

Alas, Richard Simmons will have to be saved for another Boo Day.

This year (I say that like I dress up for Halloween all the time) I was...

A lady of the 40's.

"Why, honey, can I get you a something to drink before a I pull a hot meal from the oven?"

I was at a family's for a Halloween get-together. They live in an older home and recently got these great retro appliances. How perfect to pair them with my dress. Sort of fun to (briefly) play the role of The Happy Housewife; all dolled up, in heels, pulling a hot dinner out of the oven. Ha! But man, ladies of the 40's, that do is not so easy to do.

Derek shaved a little pencil mustache to go with his 40's look. It totally worked for the "costume" but not so much for me. It's amazing how a strip of facial hair can change a person's face. Let's just say the mustache didn't last past Halloween night. But he certainly looked the part. That second pic is my whole fam. How 'bout those zombie children? So beautiful. And that cowboy couple? Too funny. My dad's 'stache totally crippled him. He couldn't eat or drink and was constantly pulling hair out of his mouth (it didn't stay on long).

I have to say, I live in the greatest town when it comes to Halloween. (Yes, I am saying my town is better than your town! But I do think yours is quite lovely.) Downtown completely shuts down at 4:00 pm every year and the kids (plus their parents) parade down the street and then they trick-or-treat all the stores. And the stores are great, not giving gross little hard candy's like peppermints. They give the good stuff. Gotta love it!

And, how about these cool family creations? The first is the haunted gingerbread house my entire family made for a school project with the girls (it took about three weeks). And the feather hair clip I wore was made by my sister-in-law. She makes the cutest stuff for kids and adults called HairCandy. You can find her on Etsy HERE.

Monday Moment #43: 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 character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too.

(I promise I will tell you all about Halloween soon. Pictures included.)

Firsts can often be really, really hard, challenging, scary, yet exciting.

Think of all the firsts there are in life: kiss, taste, flight, child...the list goes on and on.

And, it's funny how we can put off firsts, sometimes too long, because we fear an outcome or we're just not sure about whatever the first may be.

My family struggled with a first this past week: our puppy's first fur cut. It sort of felt like a parent needing to cut their child's hair for the first time. It can be so hard, like it will change something about them, like it's something you have to protect.



I can still recall when I was around ten years old and on vacation with my aunt and uncle. My cousin was just a little over the age of one and they'd yet to cut his hair. But as we travelled about, people continually commented on cute "she" was. Well, that tipped them over the edge. His first haircut happened during that vacation.

We've hesitated clipping Luna's fur because it's so pretty and soft and lovely (I know she looks a bit straggly above, but she's really beautiful). However, her fur had become impossible and started matting in an instant. And as much as the entire family moaned and groaned, it had to be done.

And done it was.

Then what happened?




Well, pretty much what happens with most firsts. Hey, that wasn't so bad. Actually, I kind of like it. Or, man...that was worth it.

How about your character? What is a first they experience? And what is it that pushes them to their first?