the other mother - free writing workshop for moms

Make Your Own Summer Camp

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, but you're still visiting, writing, and emailing. Thank you! When I'm between novels, I always return to writing practice--I hope you'll come back and try every topic I've recommended.

Meanwhile, the peonies have dropped their heavy petals and the wax begonias are sunbathing. My son just came home with a fat file full of finished work--and we're labeling, signing forms, planning for a summer of daycamps and new pursuits.

I try to think of summer not just as a time to shuttle from drop off to pickup to the much-politicized local natural pool, but also a time to try new things. Sometimes it's best to sit outside and write, even if my pen gets sap-stuck and I can't bring my laptop for glare. I'm remembering my own summers: Bread and Puppet Circus, working at a dairy farm, a stable, science camp and deep, creative boredom on summer trips to Vermont.

It's your turn to stop and taste the green shoots of the timothy grass. Here's your topic:

Write about your summer when you were ten.

Or another:

Write about the summer you wished you had.

Then give yourself the freedom to change your routine--the kids are at daycamp, so put your feet in the kiddie pool and write about something new. Or try something new: try watercolor painting, read nonfiction if you love novels, read a poem outloud to your child, your spouse, your grandmother over the phone. Make a list of things you don't get to all school year, and give yourself an hour each morning--maybe for a week, maybe all summer if you can. Major in the flexible mind.

teach your children well...

free to be you and me:
marlo thomas and friends

What with mother's day, and library visits and book groups (thank you, wonderful folks, who have hosted me in your homes - I've learned so much!), I've been thinking a lot about how although my parents (look of shock) weren't perfect, somehow they managed to teach me that I could do/be whatever I wanted to do/be.

My neighbor, a few years back, rolled down her minivan window as I walked the dog and baby in stroller (years back!) and said, tearfully:

"You tell them they can do anything they want, but I never expected my little girl would want to go to West Point!"

They adjusted, and so, I hope, will I, to whatever passions my children choose (or whatever passions choose them), as long as they don't hurt anyone else.

But meanwhile, I'm doing my best to teach them -- it's okay for boys to think American Girl Dolls are cool; it's okay for girls to love sports -- cliches, for sure, but true.

Remember Free to be you and me? William wants a doll?

This week's writing topic: Make a list: what I want to teach my children. Choose one and write about it for 22 minutes. Go.

What Not to Do

The light is weak and the lawns are littered with the last of the oak leaves, but fall's still my favorite season.

Promotion for The Other Mother continues long after I thought we'd be done, but I have to say, I've met some amazing bloggers, journalists, and most of all: parents.

Here's your writing topic for this week.

In three minutes, list as many responsibilities as you can (yours, your character's, your mom's).

Then take your list, and you can make a list poem. Write about what happens when your character abdicates all responsibilities like a wanton queen.

Choose one item and write about how it feels to hold that in your body, how it shapes your (your character's) days. Write this one for 14 minutes.

GG

Days stretched out into darkness

Well, it's dark much too early, and this is the season of tea parties and damp cuffs. My sister had a baby a few weeks ago, and I find myself thinking about that new life--their new life all together--each day.

In honor of Rebecca, Peter, and baby Gabriel, here's your writing topic:

Write about a birth--yours, your child's, a puppy's, a star's--from the point of view of an observer. Be sure to use your senses....Write for 12 minutes.

Welcome to November, everyone!

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...

I ain't missing you at all...

Okay, I don't like the word ain't, but I was feeling kind of 80s and the song played in my head.

I have this new birdfeeder on the window by my desk, so I get to watch the finches up close at work on their food, the cardinal's endless screaming red tailfeathers.

Here's your writing practice topic for this week!

Write about something (or someone) (a character or not) you miss ... freedom to read the newspaper without interruption, breastfeeding, nice clothing, baby scent, baby talk, being able to run without bouncing, your mother....

Read over the rules, sharpen your pencil, stretch your hand, and write for 16 minutes..

Have a wonderful week, all!

In Defense

Hello everyone, and happy fall leaves, Santa Anas (if you're in San Diego), fog (San Francisco), and I dunno, you'll have to tell me what else you have. Leaf rot? Bulbs to plant (this weekend's plan). Small animals nesting in the gutters?

Welcome to members of the Just Write class who are new here (or returning). Take another look at the writing practice guidelines and get to it! Can't wait to read you!

So here's this week's writing topic.

In the spirit of this blog's genesis, write either an interior monologue (running thoughts) or an actual dialogue with a Working Mom or a Stay at Home Mom defending her choice (of working or staying at home -- to another mom, to her children, to her own mother).

If you're feeling brave, choose the mom who is not you as your narrator.

Write for 14 minutes.

For example,

"Just because you did it your way doesn't mean my way's crap," I said to my mother. She nodded her head, a slow, gray nod on a tall, red-lipsticked woman. My mother has moved like an old person since she was twenty.

"But, honey," she started.

"No, no honey," I said. "You call me honey to infantilize me..."

That's just a start... As always, we're going to assume everything's fiction, so feel safe to get as vitriolic as you'd like!

You go, mamas (and nonmamas alike).

testing, testing

New writing topic, come one, come all!

For a new week (I kind of like adding the new topics midweek, because then it doesn't feel like the week's spent just yet):

First, look over the writing practice guidelines. Read them outloud to yourself. Go ahead, no shyness aloud.

Then give yourself 14 minutes for this writing topic:

Write about a test (algebra, CPR, pregnancy, HIV, stress, or something more abstract, like testing your friend or spouse to see whether s/he is loyal, knows you, will read your diary, etc. Or a test from God. Or your mother.)

Since it's the last week of school for many small people, I have them in mind. And us: the testing never ends. Tests of patience. Tests of will.

Let us read you!

Come write! Creating an inventory. introduction to the writing workshop, part 3

For Mothers Who Write —
Welcome to The Other Mother
Writing Workshop for Moms

Introduction to The Other Mother
Writing Workshop for Moms
Part 3 of 4
Creating Inventories

One of the things we do periodically in Just Write (and I’m sure I’ve done it in workshops as a student as well) is to take inventories.

This can be a character inventory (all made up) or it can be your own, or something in-between. Your history is the best place to look for topics, even if the ultimate emergencies and conflicts in your story don’t come directly from your life.

Start by answering these questions, quickly, following the writing practice guidelines:

1. Did you always want to be a mother?
2. What do you like about babies?
3. What don’t you like about babies?
4. List three times you’ve been hurt (physically).
5. List three times you’ve be hurt (emotionally).
6. List five trips you’ve taken.
7. List two trips you haven’t.
8. Describe the smell of your child’s room.
9. What do you wish you’d done before having children?
10. Name your first best friend.
11. Your most recent best friend.
12. Your top three writing wishes.

Now that you have an inventory, you have at least twelve writing topics. Save your inventory, go back, there’s important stuff there.

Here's the writing practice topic.

Take a look again at the writing topic guidelines.

Pick one item from your inventory and start writing. Give yourself 11 minutes (or more, if you have more) and dig deep.

Remember this: be brave about posting in the comments—we want to read your story.

That said, we’ll assume everything is fiction (so it’s safe to post), unless you really, really, really want us to know otherwise for some reason…

Post, post, post (posthaste)! I can’t wait to read!

Read more ...
How to post your writing
introduction to the writing workshop, part 4 »