the other mother - free writing workshop for moms

Lovely, lovely leaves

We just went for a walk in the lovely, lovely leaves. My daughter, who for some reason is sweetest of all, got stung not once, but twice by wasps. Are some of us really sweeter than others?

All this drama reminded me that I hadn’t posted for a while...

So here’s a writing topic that worked wonderfully in class:

Write about needles. Pine, pins and, dentists (ugh), sewing, knitting, being needled—whatever comes first to mind.

Write for 11 minutes.

Don’t be afraid to go there, even if it hurts (clearly this writing exercise can vaccinate you against fall gloom).

Post your writing in the comments section below (for any newbies who don’t already know). In class, the writings had a remarkable connection to each other—it charged the class with ideas and interest, and no one got hurt.

In other news, if you’re in northern NJ and would like to come meet me in person, come to the Ramsey Public Library in Ramsey, New Jersey on Sunday, November 16th at 2pm. Here are driving directions to the library.

The event is free, and I’m hoping for some of the amazing questions I’ve had at book groups lately.

Come! Tell me you read the blog!

And, as always, I’d be happy to sign bookplates if any of you would like to get your holiday shopping wrapped up early with signed copies of The Other Mother. Just send me an email with your name, address, and what you’d like me to write. I’ve been sending them out by the dozen, and it feels great to know more people will be reading about Thea and Amanda and hopefully feeling just a little more compassionate toward other mothers everywhere.

Look to the skies! (dog days o' summer)

Okay, I’ve been trying to post this for a while, but Typepad’s having woes. What? Power problems? But it’s the web, we all need web. I kid. They’ll work it out.

Anyway, what I wanted to say was this:
Dog Days of Summer Giveaway!

Everyone’s giving stuff away via their blogs. Check out Bloggy Giveaways for more contests and the chance to win more free stuff. I love the idea (and have, of course, entered several drawings).

So, I’m giving away one gorgeous, hardcover, signed copy of the yet to be released The Other Mother. Who doesn’t want free stuff? And of course, if you love the book and tell your friends, that’ll make me extra happy.

Here’s how it works: post in the comments, answering the question below. (hint: if you don’t know already, check out The Other Mother website) and make sure to include your email address. You don’t need to write a writing post, though those are welcome, of course! Just let me know you want to be in the drawing.

The comments will close on Friday, July 27, 2007 at 5pm eastern time, and I’ll put them all in a hat over the weekend and draw a lucky winner.

Okay, here’s the question:
In what state do Thea and Amanda live?

*Note:* I didn't realize, until I tried looking it up that way, that the book description on the site no longer gives the answer, though you could find it elsewhere.

So, it's okay if you answer this instead:
Where does Amanda work?

Hope you’re all enjoying the dog days, and writing up a storm! Feel free to reply to earlier topics, whenever you’re ready.

another week, another topic, and something else for free...

Hello wonderful writing women!

First, I want to mention two wonderful sites:

Great for a daily dose of something good.

Second: it's tell-a-friend week!

I know some of you are off on summer expotitions (Winnie the Pooh's word), but for those who are around: you know who I mean, that friend who writes long and eloquent emails, a writer at heart. If you will, share this blog with her, okay?

In fact, I'll sweeten the pot: the first person to have two friends post (writing posts, that is, in the comments) and mention her name gets a free advance galley of The Other Mother. My marketing manager sent me one extra, and I'd love to share it (and if you love it, maybe you'll even post elsewhere and spread the word).

Now, at last, the writing topic at hand (I've been waiting to tell you):

Write about waiting.

For a table, waiting tables, waiting for Godot, waiting up late, for birth, for test results, for the end of school, for the beginning..........you choose.

And here's a little challenge: after you read through the rules (try reading 'em out loud). Write for three minutes and make everything one sentence--that doesn't mean you have to be brief, but instead, that you link it all up with commas, semicolons, dashes, or nothing.

Don't worry about the grammar police; they're off duty for first drafts. Then, try to write for five minutes more using that same wild momentum you (hopefully) got from writing without the break of a period.

Happy summer all! Happy writing!