Writing Invitation and Giveaway

A few months ago I got a wonderful book in the mail, Writing Motherhood. Not only was the only writing book I've ever liked, but the author, Lisa Garrigues, holy cow, she left an awesome comment on my post. You too have a chance to have this wonderful writer and teacher comment on your post, and I'll also be giving away a copy of the book.

The book combines great advice, interesting, completely mom-oriented writing prompts and the funny and poignant examples from Lisa's writing class. It's completely understanding of busy moms, of course, starting slow, and there's not problem with skipping around. It's really like having a good friend, one who is honest and pushes you, but at the end of the day forgives all. What I really loved, and made me feel like I was in the right place right off the bat, were some of the lists, such as excuses why you can't write, and why you are writing in the first place.

I'm not looking to make a living out of my writing, it's not something that burns within trying to get out, nor does it provide therapy, I mostly just want to document my children's antics, share my opinions and give myself something different to do besides work and child-rearing. And I am still considered a writer, I still found the book a great read. So on to the invitation.

On Tuesday, September 23rd there will be writing event where many moms around the blogosphere will publish a post based on the following writing prompt from Lisa’s book:

First Words and Other Firsts: Open any baby diary and you will find whole pages devoted to firsts: first smile, first words, first friends, first birthday. Why are firsts so significant? Because they represent a beginning. Because they push us beyond what is familiar and comfortable. Because they jolt us out of the numbness or everyday life and bring us back to our primitive selves when we saw a world through a child's eyes. Keeping in mind that first experiences do not end with babyhood, write about a first: the first day of kindergarten, the first day of college, the first grandchild. Or simply begin with the writing start "the first time" and write down the first thing that comes to mind.

If you want to participate, first leave a comment here letting us know. Then write your post on September 23 based on the prompt, and leave a comment tracking back to your post on mu first post. Not only will Lisa be commenting on all the posts that day, and I'll tell you, she's not just a good writing, she's a great commenter, but it also gives you a chance to win a copy of her book. I'll do a random drawing of the people who leave comments on both posts.

So get writing, I know I need to. Just as soon as I finish those darn performance reports, and act of creative writing if there ever was one.