Melonie Johnson

Naming My Babies…and My Books

October 12, 2010Uncategorized, WritingWrite a comment

I have often heard writers refer to their novels as their “babies.” It’s a metaphor that may seem to skate the line of hyperbole, yet is one I recently came to appreciate. Completing a manuscript is labor intensive, but it is a labor of love. (And yes, I intentionally used the word labor…twice…my apologies). Like I said, I have heard the baby/book comparison before, and never really thought about it much until the other day – when I was updating my NaNo page. As I mentioned in a recent post, the idea I have for this year’s NaNo book is bright and clear and I have an incredibly confident feeling that it will be published. I’d risk saying I know it will be published – and I’m not one to make outlandish claims like that. On the NaNo novel info page, they have a space to fill in the book’s title. Granted, many titles are, like the novels themselves, a work in progress – and it is assumed that the title you choose to type in on your NaNo page may go through as many revisions as the book itself.

If I’m confident about the viability of my 2010 NaNo novel, I’m even more confident about its title. The book has its name. Oddly enough, it’s my absolute surety concerning the name of this book that made my fingers hesitate on the keys…in the end, this is is what I typed:

Like the names of my children, the title is being kept secret until delivery day!

Lemme explain by stretching the baby/book metaphor even further.

Let’s think about the most common questions that pop up when people know you are expecting a baby:

1 – How are you feeling? (How’s the baby?)

2 – Do you know what you’re having?

3 – Any names picked out?

And now let’s think about the most common questions that pop up when people know you are writing a novel:

1 – How is the writing going? (How’s the book?)

2 – What kind of book is it?

3 -Do you have a title picked out?

With both my babies (the offspring of my body, not my brain) the husband and I kept the potential names very quiet. It was a very special, personal thing for us – something neither us felt ready to share with anyone until our baby was here and named. Maybe because we didn’t care to hear anyone else’s opinions or comments – positive or otherwise – whatever the reason, it felt more comfortable to keep both Miss A and Lil’ G’s names under wraps until they were born.

That’s how I feel about this new book – protective and secretive and a little afraid that if I speak its name aloud before I’m ready, some of its power, some of its incredible potential, will fade.

And speaking of my babies, please tell me how this:

Turned into this:

Miss A will be 7 1/2 this Friday. That’s half way to 8. Which is half way to 16. I think I’m half way to crying.

NaNoWriMo

What You Don’t See

October 11, 2010Kids, LifeWrite a comment

There is a tree in our front yard that turns a bright beautiful yellow in fall. My husband was determined that we get a few pictures of the tree this year so last week I rounded up the troops and we headed outside.

And while getting a picture of the tree itself was nice, we wanted to get the girls in the shot too.

There, that’s more like it!

But what you don’t see in the above cropped version is what was required to make the shot happen…

I dunno…I think I might like this one better.

Either way, I’m glad we got out there last week, because today that tree is looking rather nekkid.

And we have a whole lotta rakin’ to do.

The Humor of a Second Grader

October 8, 2010Family, Kids, LifeWrite a comment

A snippet of conversation from Halloween decorating a few days ago…

The Husband: What do you think of my plan to hang the lights up here?

Miss A: I think that’s a bright idea Dada.

The Husband: No response as he starts stringing lights

Miss A: Did you see what I did there?

Miss A 2nd grade — Miss A's first "official" school picture. A 2nd grader; she's full of smiles, sass, and silliness.

The thing is, Miss A and her Dada share a similar sense of humor. They actually have a lot of similar traits – and it’s wild how much kiddo #1 is like the husband in looks and personality, and how much kiddo #2 is like me. I shall have to write a post analyzing this more…

Things I Could Accomplish If Only I had My S Together

October 7, 2010Time Wasters, Uncategorized, WritingWrite a comment

Or at least if I had it together better. Or would that be better together?

Peanut butter and chocolate. That’s better together.

Anyways.

I have a to-do list a gazillion miles long, but the real problem is, I have a gazillion to-do lists. One for chores around the house. One for stuff to fix around the house. One for what I need to do for the kids. One for want I want to do with the kids. One for vacation ideas. One for gift ideas. One for where I need to be and when I’m supposed to be there. One for what I need to buy. One for what I need to budget. One for what I need to sell (or just get rid of). One for working out. One for my business. One for writing. One for hobbies like scrapbooking and photography. I make lists, some of them only mental, of books I want to read and movies I still want to see. I even have a list for blog posts I’d like to do. Lists help keep me sane, but they also freak me out by putting just how much I want/need/would like to do in black and white. So I tend to scramble from one list to the next, never seeming to get enough done on any single list of to-do’s.

High up on the what I wish I had more time for list is completing a novel (you know, like the one I wrote for NaNo last November) and getting it on the road to being published. I have a list for that too.

I recently signed up for the Carina Press newsletter and was excited to see that they are hosting an “online editor pitch” – they are calling for a two paragraph blurb of a manuscript in any genre and will choose 5 of the submissions to enter a “pitch chat room” where each of the five writers will have 1-on-1 time with editor(s) to sell their book.

It’s a cool way to bring attention to your novel. Submissions are due by October 12th. I’d be totally all over this.

Except my current manuscript is not complete. If I had my S together, I’d have finished the darn thing before the end of last year. Or at least in time to get my free printed copy (all NaNo writers who cross the 50k finish line are entitled to one). But nope. Still not done. Since last November I have managed to fill in some holes and flesh out a few more scenes but there are at least 3 or 4 chapters that need to be written. Two characters who need to develop more and an ending that needs serious polish.

When I first saw the pitch info I thought, “I can do this! I’ve got a few weeks! This is the push I needed!”

Except I forgot about all those other to-do lists for a moment. Ones that required immediate attention (involving kids, clean underwear, bills, and my sink full of dishes). I also had a 20 page script to write from scratch, songs that needed dance choreography, and insurance for my growing business.

Yes, I could/should have been working on the manuscript instead of posting stuff here, or entering all the contests at Pioneer Woman (I want one of those cameras, darn it!) or scanning and posting old pictures on FB…I should have, and I would have – if I had my S together better.

Part of the issue is my road to publishing list starts with querying agents first…pitching to e-pubs is farther down the road. Granted I’d be happy with any type of publishing contract, but I do have my list of preferred methods and scoring an agent is at the top.

This is all pointless speculative chatter until I get my S together and finish the freakin’ manuscript!

NaNo starts up again in less than a month and I have my novel idea for this year brewin hot and heavy in my brain. It is crazy, but I have an incredible feeling about this book-to-be…I just know, KNOW, it will get published. I have rarely felt such confidence about something, but there it is.

I am quite aware that once the above novel gets going, the current WIP will get further shelved…which is why I really wish I would have devoted myself to it more. Ah well, let’s hope the adage, “Things happen for a reason” is more than just emotional balm and really does prove true. Meaning, the time is right for the current story taking up a great deal of my grey matter, and its completion (and publication!?!) will open the door for the other neglected one.

That is what I’m telling myself anyway.

It’s helping me keep my S together.

NaNoWriMo

This Birthday Party has Been Brought to You by the Letter G and the Number 2

October 4, 2010Blogroll, Celebrations, Family, Hallmark Moments, Kids, LifeWrite a comment

This year Lil’ G turned 2.

At the time, she was into all things E-L-M-O, so it didn’t require an advanced education to decide what her birthday party theme should be.

This week, since I’m finally getting around to taking Lil’ G in for her 2 year check-up, I figure I should finally get around to sharing the fun of that day as well. It wasn’t THAT long ago, but long enough to allow her devotion to waver from the furry little red dude to a bi-lingual girl with a football haircut and a pet monkey with a shoe fetish.

(No plans for a fiesta de Dora are in the works yet – I have plenty of time before Lil G’s third birthday rolls around, and at the rate she’s going, she’ll have moved through princesses, fairies, and girls who like berries by then.)

But back to this year, and Lil’ G’s birthday celebration with her main man Elmo.

It was nice of him to come to the party.

I knew there would be toddlers running around dribbling cake and crackers and who knows what else, so we held the party in the back yard. Since we were outside, I kept the decorations minimal.

My big splurge was this ridiculously large helium Elmo balloon. It was windy the day of the party, and Elmo entertained us by bopping guests in the head. I was petrified the thing would blow away and take down a chopper. (Well, not really)

I’m pretty lucky, in that both my dad and my brother enjoy playing baker – and they each tried their hand at making a cake for Lil’ G.

My dad did his cake freehand, and he did a very nice job…even if Elmo looks like he’s had a bit too much cake himself recently.

My brother used one of those shaped cake pans. I’ve never tried using one myself, but I’ve heard it’s harder than it looks – so I’m glad he did it; I think it looks great!

Looks aside, by the way it was gobbled up – it tasted pretty good too.

Aside from cake, a snack table was set up, where another furry dude made an appearance (this one blue).

Also present was Elmo’s pet and best pal, Dorothy.

Using votive bowls from Michaels for about $1 each, they made cute party favors.

Guests also got a goody bag filled with a silly straw, Sesame street coloring book, crayons and stickers…total cost of each Goody Bag ~ $5. (I love the Dollar Store!) To make the Elmo faces, I cut circles out of red card stock and folded them in half (this way I was able to write a “Thank You for Celebrating With Me Today!” note inside). The nose was an oval cut from orange cardstock, the eyes small circles cut from plain white paper. Simple and quick to assemble, give the birthday kid a glue stick and s/he can help! (Or you could even turn it into a craft station during the party).

Just circles cut from cardstock, but it took me awhile to get the hang of it, and it was funny to see the variations in my design. I would have used googly eyes, but I couldn’t find my stash of ’em.

A lot of the ideas you see here were inspired by a post at DESIGN DAZZLE. One idea that I take complete credit for, however – was the “fairy tent.” I pulled the girls’ princess tent outside, loaded it with wands and wings (of which we have MANY) and plunked this sign down in front of it:

Lil G’s older sister, Miss A, decorated this sign for her.

It was a big hit with the birthday girl.

Even the boys had fun at the fairy school.

In the end, it was a lovely party. Lots of laughter and fun.

We enjoyed fresh air, sunshine, and fairly simple clean up. I love outdoor parties!

And most importantly, one happy birthday girl.

Need some party ideas? I am submitting this post to BirdCrafts DIY Celebration Linky Party. Go check it out and get inspired!

Parties She's Crafty

Timeless Play

October 3, 2010Celebrations, Family, Kids, LifeWrite a comment

Ah, the first weekend of fall. The next month will be a whirlwind of activity as we try and cram all the forest walks, corn mazes, pumpkin farms, costume parties, bonfires, and leaf crafts we can manage into one month. Sometimes scheduling all this “family fun” turns into something almost stressful and I need to take a step back and remember it’s ok if we skip or miss a harvest festival here or there.

The first of the fall festivals on our agenda was today, and we almost missed it. The husband got stuck on a work call and our plans for the day started to whittle away. Rather than get bummed about it I rounded up Miss A and Lil’ G and we headed out for an afternoon of fun sans Dada. I know my husband would have preferred to be with us than in his office at home, but he’ll be glad to know the girls enjoyed a glorious time in the fall sunshine riding ponies, painting pumpkins and just being kids.

It’s that last part – the just being kids part – that I need to remember sometimes when I start to get the urge to rush the girls from one activity to the next. This afternoon, perhaps because I knew our plans were already out-of-synch, or perhaps because I knew we didn’t have to get home in time for the Bears game, I relaxed and just let the girls decide.

For Lil’ G it meant time to play with that friend of every child that has ever had some fun in the sun – her shadow.

I love watching my kids play with their shadows; something about it never gets old for me.

A Sweet Giveaway

September 21, 2010Blogroll, Cool Stuff, ProductsWrite a comment

Last Friday I posted a plethora of giveaways flyin’ around cyber space. Guess who won one of them? (say that fast, love those homophones!) Yes, me, I won. One. Of them. Prizes, that is. A little birdie dropped by to tell me that the Miloushka necklace I admired is mine for the taking! Yippee! (This week that same Birdie is hosting a free “takeaway” of some cute Halloween printables.)

Since I won that one (do you see how I’m trying to work those two words into as many sentences as possible?) I may have to buy the bracelet and earrings to match. It’s like when I have a coupon for a free drink at Sbux…I end up leaving an extra big tip.

Gaze upon my prize with envy (I’m kidding! If you like it, go buy one, her prices are very reasonable!)

Add this win to the Sara Barielles tickets I won last month, and I’d say I’m having a streak of good luck! Maybe I should run out to the store and buy a few lotto tickets, hmm? I’m hoping my luck continues and I win the giveaway currently being hosted by Indie Tot, a website devoted to helping parents find cool unique stuff for their kidlets.

Indie Tot is giving away a $15 gift certificate to the Etsy Shop: Lil Lollipops Designs.

Now, this candy corn tutu Indie Tot posted is freakin’ adorable:

But once I paid a visit to Lollipop’s store, I fell in love with these:

They’re called capelets, and I LOVE them! They remind me of the little poncho I found for Lil’ G when she was a baby:

Except a little more sophisticated. And without the hood. But still, really REALLY adorable.

The owner of Lil Lollipops Designs is a delightfully friendly mama to two girls and she really impressed me with her customer service – she is working with me on designing a custom capelet for Lil’ G – I can’t wait to see what we finally decide on, and don’t worry – I’ll be sure to post all the cuteness here when the package arrives!

Sidenote, I fear I may be developing an addiction to Etsy.

With all the cute things Lil Lollipop has to offer, I could really use that gift certificate; I’m not greedy though, so go enter the contest too and see if my luck rubs off on you ;).

Sit for a Bit

September 20, 2010Blogroll, Cool Stuff, Monday Muse, ProductsWrite a comment

Now that Miss A is back in school, Lil’ G and I have resumed our daily walks together. I am a total outdoors girl, and since birth, Lil’ G is as well. When she was still a little baby, the husband and I coached Miss A’s flag football team (ok, THAT was a learning experience, one that I don’t think I shall ever repeat). My folks were kind enough to come over and watch Lil’ G while we were at weekly practices. Lil’ G did not like this arrangement too much, and stridently made her displeasure known. The only way my parents were able to keep her calm, quiet, and relatively happy was to take her outside and push her in the stroller. As the fall nights progressively got cooler they tried bringing her inside, but no can do – the only time she ceased her ear-drum rattling screams was when she was outside.

So what I’m saying is, Lil’ G and I, we really relish our afternoon walks. We both get some fresh air, and it seems to be the only time she’ll settle down for a real nap. I strap her into the jogging stroller, load her up with snacks and a drink, tuck a blanket around her legs, and head out. We usually truck it for anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half (about 4 – 6 miles), enough time for Lil G to get a decent nap, and for me to make decent headway into whatever audiobook I currently have dialed up on the ipod (right now it’s The River Knows by Amanda Quick – I am really enjoying it, and the narrator is awesome!)

It also allows me to not feel guilty if I don’t get any other kind of workout in for the day.

Anyways, on one of our recent treks, I happened across an interesting lawn ornament – it immediately made me think of Monday Muse Miss Aimee, who always seems to find the most unique things whenever she is out and about. So I made a point to bring my camera with on the next walk, and snapped a few pics.

chair — Strolling down a side street, I came across this interesting little piece of furniture.

sit for a bit chair — It was quite an adorable little thing.

sit for a bit — And what a friendly invitation!

Now, whenever I choose to head that direction on a walk and pass that chair, I smile and think of Ms Aimee over in Artsyville. Speaking of, Artsyville is aptly named, and Ms Aimee’s walks are much more fruitful in the funky and fun dept. Case in point, check out her post from today, in which she shares with us her most recent discoveries while out on a walk with her own small person in a jogging stroller. We mamas have to find our inspiration where we may!

Baby Legs Innovations

September 18, 2010Kids, ProductsWrite a comment

I was pretty lucky with Lil’ G…aside from all the wonderful things about her health, beauty, brains, etc (no, I’m not biased in my opinion, why do you ask?); and aside from the fact that she is a wonderful go-to-bed-at-nighter and sleeper, I was lucky with Lil G’ because she was born in the same season as Miss A…and of course I saved almost all of Miss A’s outfits…so I had very little to do in the way of shopping for baby #2. In fact, I probably could have avoided shopping at all (well, except for diapers – I never could get into the whole cloth diapering thing).

Little girls are notoriously fun to buy for though, so Lil’ G’s wardrobe acquired a few new things here and there. Most notably, her collection of Baby Legs. As I mentioned in a post awhile back, I LOVE BabyLegs…I developed a bit of an addiction to them, I’m afraid.

So as soon as the summer weather tipped a bit towards the chill of fall, I eagerly dug into my supply of BabyLegs and decked Lil’ G out.

It seems Lil’ G has begun to have an opinion on fashion, and doesn’t hesitate to “adjust” her outfits, as she did here:

Lil' G ala flashdance — Remind you of anything? Let me help jog your memory...it's the 1980's, there's a movie about a girl who loves to dance, buckets of falling water may have been involved.

Turning all her “tights” into leg warmers Jennifer Beals would weep with envy over was only the beginning. Next, Lil’ G figured out a way to make her clothing more useful: