the other mother - free writing workshop for moms

What's Beneath the 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.

I owe some comments,

but fresh from a mom writers panel event at the White Plains Library with Jane Green, Pamela Dorman, and Role Mommy Beth Feldman (if you were there, thank you for coming, and for the fabulous questions!) I wanted to offer up a fresh topic.

I've been thinking about wishes, about how they change over time, about how close they can be to prayer, how selfish, how light.

So here's your writing topic. Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Using your dominant hand (say, right if you're a righty) make a list of wishes on the corresponding (in this case right) side.

Then put the pen in your nondominant hand and write on the other side. Make a list of secret wishes. This could be in code if it's easier to admit to them that way (of course, they can all belong to a character anyway!).

Now choose one wish from each column and start to write. Don't forget the sounds, textures, taste of it all. Write for nine minutes.

I hope your wishes smell like just peeled oranges.

New topic (via Moms Blogs book group)

If you read the most recent post (before this one, that is), you know that there's a moms blog book group discussion of The Other Mother at the Silicon Valley Moms Blog.

They're discussing The Other Mother and the issues it raises for moms. If you want to joint the discussion, click through where it asks you to join in.

There are plenty of gems in the mine, so this week I'm asking you to dig for your own topic.

You could write about a dad who's staying at home. You could write about mommy guilt. You could write about a mom quitting her job to stay home. You could write about cultural differences in parenting, but don't get too academic.

Just pick something you read about, even a phrase from someone's post, or, hey, the title The Other Mother's something to work with. I'm suggesting this because I feel like digging for your own topics gives you new freedom as a writer.

Have at it! 14 minutes or 22 minutes, you choose. And I'd love to hear what you think of the book group, as well.

Sometimes I write mine out a month in advance in my dayplanner, brainstorming all at once about a novel I'm living, or just trying to find what's important, what's next.

Can't wait to read! And hope you all enjoy your little Halloweenies, the ones in your house, or the ones that come to your door...

It's out!

The Other Mother has been released into the wild, wild world of books!

I've noticed fewer people are posting here these days (though plenty of you are stopping by), and several of you have emailed to tell me that's because you're on vacation. So I'll wait a week or two to put up a new topic. Meanwhile, check out Judy Reeves' guest blog post, and bless the virgin comments when you get a chance.

And most of all: thank you everyone, for so much support. Pick up your copy of The Other Mother at your local store, or at amazon or elsewhere today! Let me know what you think! And stop by The Other Mother website for reviews, links to NPR (we made the summer reading list!), the On Balance Blog, Mothertalk blog tour, and more!

Write on, everyone!

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.

release week is coming...

I've asked a friend of mine, Judy Reeves (writing teacher and writer extraordinaire), whether she'd like to be a guest poster here--but I just wrote her today, so I'm going to hold off on adding a new topic until I hear from her.

Plus, the last topic is still very lonely and unwritten. Or maybe you've written, you just haven't posted--which doesn't bother me!

Anyway, my writer's-mind-mommy-mind-did-you-pack-sandwiches-for-the-beach-mind is a little redirected this week--because The Other Mother will be released August 7th, 2007.

Two book events are coming up in New Jersey, and then one at the end of the month on Cape Cod. I'm not usually one for stage fright, so this is more of a: will people remember to come? Will I bring enough brownies? If you're curious, stop by my website.

Meanwhile, I'll be back later with a topic, and feel free to post about last week's! Hope everyone's happy as the grass is green.

Redbook!

Okay, first I have to share the big news: The Other Mother will be in Redbook's September 2007 issue, as the Redbook Book Club Editor's Choice.

There'll be an excerpt, a picture of the jacket, and if you stop by New Jersey, me, grinning wildly. Thank you, Random House folks, and thank you, Redbook!

Second, now that the jumping up and down is over (I really should've gone to the gym today...too much diffuse energy), on to the part I came here for...

To provide a new writing topic for the week:

Read over the writing practice guidelines first, then pick your favorite, or your least favorite, to try to really honor as much as you can.

Then write for seven minutes on: a time you made a mistake, but didn't want to admit it.

Can't wait to hear your stories! I know at least a few of you are off at beaches, writing in notebooks. Kudos to you, and enjoy summer!

Too much

Hello, all! First, let me offer this: the first person to post on this topic wins a free advance galley of The Other Mother.

Hopefully, you'll love it and tell all your friends to pre-order or run out and get one on August 7th, 2007. Just post your writing (in the comments) (you also have to actually write to the topic), and I'll contact you for your address!

Second, we went to the fireworks despite the rain last night. The display was spectacular (even though they cancelled the skydivers, and, having never witnessed skydivers, I was a little disappointed), and reminded me of my own childhood 4ths, watching fireworks from Boston Common, listening to the Boston Pops play the 1812 Overature, scared and thrilled by the light, sound, and drunks. Not to mention staying up late.

Leaving the show last night, my daughter couldn't stop talking as we walked along the dark streets with the other satisfied audience members, noticing how quiet it was, how dark it was, how it was late, how the rain made funny sounds on her hood, and then this, which I love: "Mommy, those fireworks were so beautiful, they were even more beautiful than a banana peel!"

The thing is, I get it. She meant the shape of an open peel after you've just denuded the fruit.

Enough. On to your writing topic:

Write about too much (noise, talking, food, interference, love, swimming, sex...have at it!) for 17 minutes.

And hope you all had a spectacular 4th!