Monday, May 3, 2010

Monday Moment #68: 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. )

It was a big week for music in our family. We had a band/orchestra/choir concert to attend. Plus, our first born hit the big double digits over the weekend, which involved throwing a music themed party.

Can I first say, 5th-grade-band teachers are amazing people. That has GOT to be one of the toughest jobs on earth. Got. To. Be.

Just take a quick 15 second listen.

(Yes, I know my video is sideways, but it's all about the sound. I'm still learning how to use my phone.)

Now, I must say, these kids have made progress. Truly. But as I sat there listening, I just couldn't help but to image a day filled with those new band-instrument-learning sounds. Wow!

Our girlie was in the choir, and how can you not love a choir that breaks out with this...



That song gave me a little oomph to kick some writerly rear this week!

Then there was the big double digit b-day party. Both my girlies have been saving their $$$ to buy their own ipod Nanos, so this is what captured the theme for my now 10 year old. Every year I bake their cake, whatever they want. So far, I've been able to do it. But this latest really had me worried. She wanted her cake to look like a CD. A challenge, I must say. But, you tell me...How'd I do?


We created a Rockin' Double Digits playlist that featured 10 songs, and I'd say the best part of the night came when it was dark and we broke out a bunch of glow bracelets for dancing. (For you moms out there, if you want a good hour of cheap fun...glow bracelets + music + dark = lots of fun. Or magic...


That was the last song. They decided to hook all of their bracelets together and each take a turn dancing in the center.

Music plays a huge role life in so many way (good and bad). What song or event with music is important in your characters life?

6 comments:

Jane Makuch said...

So Jolie, how do you do it all? Great writer, great blogger, great mom and great cake lady!

You are always an inspiration ♥

Yat-Yee said...

An ex-professional musician writing a book that takes place in a music camp is not going to argue with you about the important of music! :)

Your CD cake looks awesome. Well done, mom!

Molly Hall said...

Oh. My. God. I can't decide which part of this post I love the most. The band? (Was anyone else getting a "Music Man" feeling during the band video? I could just see Robert Preston up there, urging them to use the "think system." : )) The chorus? The circling glow-bracelets? I think I gotta give it to the Eye of the Tiger. TOO fabulous! Thank you for making my night.

Cuppa Jolie said...

I tell why everyone should blog...your comments are always so good for my spirit.

Thanks for you kind comments.

Jane, I'm certain it's no more than you do. Just doing it the best I can day by day.

Yat-Yee, Glad you think the cake looked like a cd. It was a tricky one for sure.

Molly, it made my day to know that post made your night. I thought all those clips were pretty awesome (in their own ordinary ways) too!

Faith Pray said...

Now that is a clever, clever cake! Your girls must be so proud of their mama!

Jennie Englund said...

I totally agree about the music stuff. Neither my husband nor I ever played anything, but our kids are guitarists and pianists. Really important for art/math integration, I think. A good hobby, too.

Your cake looks fabulous! Is it from a mix or from scratch?

Happy Mother's Day!