My Life Is Like . . . .

A metaphor exercise I share at workshops begins with the phrase: "My life is like..." A participant compares his or her life to something then has to prove that his or her life is like the created metaphor. For example, "My life is like an ocean of words. I swim in letters, words and punctuation every day--writing, grading papers, lecturing, and reading. Big letters hang off my ears, get caught in my clothes, fly around my head. At times I feel like I'm drowning in the alphabet. M's and I's and B's slip down my throat, fill up my chest. I swim, dog paddle, and sometimes float on waves of phrases, sentences and paragraphs until I reach the end of the page.
Now it's your turn, just finish the phrase: My life is like . . . .
Mary on 06.30.05 @ 10:30 PM PST [linktbia reebow]

"A" Ticket Ride At Disneyland

My husband and I are still taking the aerobics class together. I didn’t think this was going to work, but we are actually encouraging each other and having a good time. I’m so proud of my husband. He’s the only guy in the class, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. My husband is 6’ 1” and weighs, well let’s say, he’s not a small man. Nicole, a dancer, teaches the class, and she does a lot of dance steps. It’s difficult for me to keep up and I’ve worked out for a long time. My husband hangs in there. You should see him do the grapevine crossover! Today we exercised, non-stop for 40 minutes. I’d have to compare the class to the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland! WooYoo!
What about your significant other do you find fascinating?

Mary on 06.29.05 @ 08:48 PM PST [link]

Play Misty For Me

I’m back to working on FALLING OUT OF BED. I’m now reading chapter by chapter on the computer then printing out each chapter, and when I’m finished, I will give it to my last critic before the editor, my husband. I always feel a little sad when a manuscript is at this stage—I know the writing will come to an end soon (in a few months), and I already miss the highs and lows of creating the characters, the scenes, revising, that feeling when a scene really works. Guess it’s time to start thinking about another idea!
Do any of you writers out there get misty about a manuscript when it’s about finished?

Mary on 06.28.05 @ 09:57 PM PST [link]

Writer Friends

I have some really cool writer friends. I critique with Leanne, and we e-mail almost everyday. Suzanne is another great writer friend who is an inspiration every day. She has a cool, edgy book out this month, THE BEAST WITHIN. It's gotten many great reviews, and I'm not surprised because Suzanne is one of the best writers I know. When I was writing WHAT TO KEEP she was the one who encouraged me to keep writing and to submit it. She read the book in manuscript and gave me insightful feedback. My dissertation was on women's creative writing groups, and after studying this area, I realize I owe a lot to my writing group and my writing friends. For a real treat go to Suzanne's website. Just click on her name to the right of this screen, and be prepared to be pleasantly amused.
Mary on 06.27.05 @ 08:00 PM PST [link]

Why I Love Parties

What is it about a good party that is just energizing? We went to a cookout today. The people were fun and interesting, the food great, and the mood fantastic. And I met a professional singer! I asked her if she could teach anyone to sing because I have always wanted to sing, but I can’t carry a tune. How bad am I? Well every time I sing my husband says, “Mary, don’t sing.” He’s a nice guy, but I guess my voice just drives him crazy and not in a good way.

This afternoon was one of the best parties I’ve been to. Another good party was seventeen years
ago--a mega-fighter pilot bash with 100 bottles of champagne and 120 people. I met my husband at this party and a few months later we were married. Maybe that’s why I love parties.
Do you have a favorite party memory?

Mary on 06.26.05 @ 09:59 PM PST [link]