Have a piece at Eat Sleep Write

Today's humor explains why we have clothing everywhere, and nothing that fits.

7 Quick Takes With LOTS of LINKY LOVE....

1.  Small Success Thursday!  

I wrote it late Wednesday,which is past the deadline so I thought the piece would be DOA.  

It wasn't, but I didn't know until late last night.  So if you'd like to stop, smell the roses, count your blessings and take stock of the past week, here's your chance over at Catholic Mom!

Hint: Road Trip!

2.  Eat Sleep Write:  

I post a lot of humor pieces over at Eat Sleep Write.  In return, there's a bit of extra exposure.  I hope all of you go take a look at the work and maybe leave a comment.  Same humor, same voice, same chaos fighting against the possibility of order, same Sherry, just a different web address.   Here's my latest:  Ask a Stupid Question.

3.  Check out the flyer!!!

To those who bought my book, thank you.  It makes a writer's day to know someone else enjoyed it.  To those of you thinking about it, here's your chance for a fun summer read.  

4. Didn't I tell you lots of linky love this week?   

Have write a book on your bucket list?  

          Have a book you need to polish for publication?  

                   Have a desire to write but don't know how?  

Here's your answer. 

Writer's World is a critique community I've been a member of for over a year. You can only self teach so much; sometimes what you need is an extra set of eyes pointing out the flaws.  

Randall Andrews is the editor/creator of Writers World and the Writers World Boot Camp. I am currently in the first boot camp, though I owe about 12,000 words.  (The equivalent of a twenty mile march with a backpack all night and then 1000 push ups).    So as part of my penance for my negligence of poor Penelope, I'm suggesting you consider (whether you're a fiction, fan fiction or non-fiction writer) enlisting in his next camp.     

Writers World Boot Camp 2
July 1st, 2015 - January 1st, 2016

Hosted by Randall Andrews, the Writers World Boot Camp is a six-month course designed to polish writers of any skill level. Whether you are just beginning or have been writing for years, this boot camp will provide valuable lessons, experiences, and instructions to help you develop your book.

By the end of Boot Camp, you will have a finished novel ready for publishing. If the novel is of high enough quality, Randall may extend the offer of a contract through JaCol Publishing at the end of the six month period. Boot camp is broken up into three sections:

• Lessons and Exercises
• Writing
• Rewrites

During each segment, you will work with your peers in the camp to develop your ideas and stories as well as working with Randall and his staff, who will guide you as you write your novel.

$50.00/month

For more information, questions, or sign-ups contact Randall Andrews at randalla3@yahoo.com

Oh and here's the link.  Tell Randall, Sherry sent you.  ;)

5.  We normally do a bucket list for the summer.  I normally post it.   I haven't yet.  So in honor of the official start of Summer (tomorrow):

1) Berry picking 

2) swimming 

3) barbecue

4)  library

5)  movies

6) date nights

7) baseball

8) capture the flag

9) water balloons

10)  go to the park

11) go to a water park

12) enter a art piece in the fair

13) learn to juggle

14) learn a new song on the piano or guitar

15) attend a circus

16)  painting (for fun) 

17) painting (a room).

18) go to a museum

19)  kite flying

20) firefly catching

21)  fishing

22)  canoeing

23)  ice cream from the truck

24)  reading 100 books

25) go to plays

26)  chalk drawing

27)  all day magic tournament

28)  going to a new restaurant

29) listening to an outdoor concert

30)  fireworks

31)  beach

32) walk local civil war battle fields

33) sing-along

34) go to the zoo

35) go to watch horse races

36) walk or run in a 5K unless you're Peter, in which case, a 10 K or more.

37)  volunteer work

38) pick flowers.

39) pass drivers tests (Bonnie and Marta)

40) blow  bubbles

41) trying a new food (not at the fair. No matter how tempting, whatever they've fried, it will make you sick so no. No fried candy. No fried oreos.  No).  

42) going to a farmer's market

43) riding a horse

44) hiking a trail

45) take kids to the aquarium

46) Explore local caves (it's been a few years).

47)  going to a swimming hole

48) finish book (Sherry)

49) Visit colleges for Marta

50) throw a party.   

I know there are 73 days until school starts and I only listed 50 things, but some of these will take more than one day to enjoy.

6.  Wish I was going...you might want to...It's being held July 22-24, 2015.  Meet in Somerset, NJ for workshops, pitch sessions with publishers, opportunities for members to market their books directly to bookstores, and more fun than you can get out of a bucket of ice cream.  I know several of the speakers from past work with Catholicmom.com and the National Catholic Register and being a memberr of the Catholic Writer's Guild.    

And here's the link for Registration!

7. Lastly, if you've not started reading but plan to delve into Pope Francis' Encyclical, it's available free online.  Here you go.  Yes, it counts toward the 100 books for the summer.  Enjoy!

P.S.  You can read more 7-Quick Takes over at This Ain't the Lyceum. (Love the name).

Eat Sleep Write....

  Today, I take on the myths that come with being a "Seasoned Mother." My advice is worth what you pay for it, and should be taken with a grain of salt.

When Did We Become Such Ninnies?

So I wrote a piece for Eat Sleep Write in which I had a bit of fun with God, Heaven, grudges and purgatory.  It was done to play with the concept of how to reconcile being in a perfected state/place, and the petty, small and difficult things that clog up the heart and soul but it apparently upset people who read it because it was "too religious."

At first, I felt annoyed.  Have we become so fragile we cannot even endure someone else laughing about their own faith and failure to live that faith fully?  Did the very notion of such a person existing give vapors?  Do we need "Trigger zones" for those who wish to discuss anything other than the weather and everyone's health, a fine day and how do you do?   Because if everyone's feelings are paramount, someone will always be offended by whatever is posted.

How dare I post a picture of a sad puppy!  There are cat people out there who feel left out.  

or this...

People on diets, people lactose intolerant, and people who don't (for whatever reason), like chocolate again do not feel special.  

I cannot make everyone feel special anymore than I can make everyone laugh.  Humor by its nature is about poking at one's own or others misconceptions or faults.

But after thinking about it and praying about it, and wanting to go all Southern on those who felt discomfited by the fluff piece I wrote, I went back to the basics of humor writing.

1) The biggest fault a humorist can have, is the inability to laugh at one's self, to be a humorless prig about one's "art."

2) The second biggest fault, is to be "not funny." See #1.

3) The third biggest fault is to fight with people about the joke itself.  See #1,

So to those who felt the piece too religious, all I can say is, writing humor is a style, and sometimes, it doesn't suit everyone.

For the story that started it all, Why I'll Probably Be Spending More Time in Purgatory, the reaction probably added to my time as well for all those who appreciate irony.   For those irritated, take satisfaction in knowing, I'll pay for this...

Eat Sleep Write Friday!

As mentioned yesterday, I currently submit two humor pieces a week to Eat Sleep Write!  

My second son has the spark of Calvin in his heart...

You'll have to click on the link to read as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story. 

May Have to Watch This One More Closely....

Hi! I have a post over at Eat Sleep Write today.  Some days I think I'm going out to live life instead of sitting by the computer inventing stories from what happens, and then something like this happens....Hint: Never leave your pizza unattended.

Eat Sleep Write Again!

Today, my post is over at Eat Sleep Write, reflecting on the humor and heart that is my second son.

Eat Sleep Write

Memo to me....pain+humility=humor.  I'm sharing my pain as penance for my gullibility. Enjoy this slice of my humble pie over at Eat Sleep Write. 

P.S.  No, I'm not linking to the satirist site because you'll already know it's satire and therefore not possibly be fooled.  

Over at Eat Sleep Write Today

Busy, trying to deal with those things like I don't know, whatever it is that happens on April 15th.   So you get this piece I wrote for Eat Sleep Write!  It's seasonal, it's about a taxing bunny.  

Forever Feasting

People who follow this blog might know my piece from a while back, She is forever singing.  I still go to the same dry cleaner's and my friend Nemi is still there working while her mother is in a home receiving ongoing care.  My friend's mom still cannot speak, but she's lived well past the day the doctors said she'd die.

Today, I dropped off shirts and Nemi waved me over to tell me about her mother's birthday. Three days ago, her mom turned seventy-eight, and they held a feast at the home.  There were over one hundred people on the floor with gifts, with food.  The line of visitors filled the hallway.  Because the place had a piano, people took turns playing it, and the whole home echoed with the chorus of a hundred people plus staff, singing.  Singing, eating, feasting, celebrating a woman who could only tell them all "I love you." with her face.  "I know my mom knows now, she will never be forgotten, and that she is loved." Nemi said.  

The vision of one hundred people coming to celebrate a birthday in a nursing home filled my eyes with tears; this was how life should be spent, this was unbridled joy at someone being alive even if they could not "do" anything useful.   I wished I'd thought of the idea for my own dad and my heart pined for the idea of a thousand birthday parties of the same nature, where every person in the home, whether they knew it was their birthday or not, had a feast brought to them, complete with a crowd of willing singers wanting to wish with full hearts, "and many more."

Once again, I felt awe at the testimony of faith lives lived out fully, as manifested by something as ordinary as a birthday party.  "Look at how they love one another." floated into my mind.   Who wouldn't want to have a world peopled with people like this? Who wouldn't want that deep knowledge as a birthday gift; that one was loved for who one is, not for what one can or cannot do.

My friend and her family, they are salt, light and song.  Next week my son turns 22.  I hadn't planned to go nuts, he's 22.  But now, I'm thinking....he's going to have a great birthday.

EAT SLEEP WRITE PUBLISH

I am over at Eat, Sleep,Write today with a humor piece on appliances, labor disputes and being gracious even in defeat.  Go take a look and enjoy!

Over at Eat Sleep Write!

Today's humor involves Christmas, writing and toddlers. Who could ask for more?
Check it out over at Eat Sleep Write!

Back to Comedy

Today's piece is over at Eat Sleep Write, but my original source material may be finally maturing such that these sorts of gems may become a thing of the past.  That's right, Day 4 of a 4 year old potty training, and now, Mr. Paul is showing signs that diapers may finally get off the grocery list.  It may be premature but I'll celebrate anyway!

Yes.  1000 people singing Ode to Joy is not too over the top. I've been diapering kiddos without a break since 1993.

Progress Report...

For 2015, I resolved to get in shape.  You can read about my adventures at the gym over at Eat Sleep Write!

P.S. Mom, I promise, I didn't really eat that for breakfast.

December 31st! New Year Resolution

I will post more. I will edit what I post before I post it, and it will be either funny or profound or in the best of all possible worlds, both.   But for now, enjoy this piece I wrote on New Year Resolutions over at Eat Sleep Write!

See you in 2015!

Eat Sleep Write

I didn't get to post this one as we were busy celebrating Christmas.   Here's a writing lesson I wrote over at Eat Sleep Write.  It's funny too.   So go visit.  Enjoy!

Over at Eat Sleep Write

Writing about the reasons for writing humor today, and dealing with getting a son out the door at the same time. I'm a mom.  I multi-task.  

So go over and read at Eat Sleep Write!

A Christmas Piece

We do writing assignments in my writing group, and they requested each of us do a Christmas tale.  So you can read A Year of Presents over at Eat Sleep Write!

Over at Eat Sleep Write

One of my writing projects is to run a humor writing room on Facebook. I critique, provide lessons and occasional exercises.   It's a lot of fun, and recently, we've been discussion writing humor and more specifically, dark humor.  So I have the first fruit of that discussion up over at Eat Sleep Write!

The Job of Not Sleeping

Yesterday I dealt with bedtime.  Today, it's time to get up!

Alarm clocks and alarm apps do little to rouse the slumbering adolescent. Schedules and bus times, breakfast and the occasional need of others to have access to the bathroom also hold little weight in any discussion with teens about about getting up in the morning. Experts in parenting books about teens advocate talking to your children about conflicts which occur regularly, to brainstorm about how to problem solve such issues.

That sounds great in theory, just like diets, budgets and five year plans. 

Read the rest over at Eat Sleep Write!