CraZy like mOm, a novel by me

For the last seven years I have been writing a young adult novel titled, Crazy Like Mom. Writing a novel throughout this extended period of time forced me to read other books in the genre I write. I’ve also had plenty of time to study books on the writing craft. These instruction manuals have helped me lay a stronger foundation for the home where my characters live. I’ve also learned to trust my many critique group’s advise as they act as subcontractor builders in my story.  

As I’ve done this, my writing and novel have improved. I’m able to see things differently, not just as a writer but as a life observer. I truly mean it when I say grateful for rejections. It forces me to fill the cracks in my story’s drywall and repair the leaks in my novel’s plot.  

I’ve attended writing conferences and met with agents and editors who've told me that I write well, but... the book should be written as a young adult novel. So I made the suggested changes, and then at the next conference I'd receive versa-vice reply… this is a middle grade story.

The best advice I ever received was from an agent at a SCBWI conference—although she later rejected my submission—told me to, “let the character write herself.”

So that’s what I did. A brief plot outline is as follows:

Fifteen-year-old Lucinda Wright has dealt with her mom’s unstable emotions for her entire life. Lucinda’s father uses work as an excuse to leave the house, and her seventeen-year-old brother uses band practice, his artwork, and alcohol to escape the dysfunctional family situation. But when her mother is hospitalized for attempted suicide and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Lucinda wonders if her own feelings of frustration, anger and sadness are signs that she’s becoming crazy like Mom.

After endless revisions, Lucinda is telling her own story. One that I believe is ready to share with readers.  We’ve (Lucinda and I) have put together a book trailer that explains her problems. The answers will be found in the novel, which I plan to self-publish within the next year, if I’m unable to find the right publisher.  

The following link is Lucinda’s trailer. Let her know in the comments if you understand what she’s going through. Give her encouragement, and pass on the link. Lucinda might be someone you actually know.

The following link is Lucinda’s trailer: CraZy like mOm Book Trailer

After you watch the clip, let Lucinda know in the comments if you understand what she’s going through. Give her encouragement, and pass on the link. Lucinda might be someone you actually know.

A second book trailer will be available on YouTube shortly. Also, the website crazylikemom.com  will be up and running soon. Please check back for preview chapters on this blog and on the website. 

I Wish They To Die...

There’s a popular BBC show that’s taken America by Police Box. Many science fiction Whovians  have been aware of this show for the past fifty (50) years, but my daughter discovered the show a few years ago and purchased the DVD seasons with the 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th Doctors.

It didn’t take her long to make her friends fans, including me, of Dr. Who. Unfortunately, we don’t have cable or internet, so if she wants to stream videos from Netflix, update blogs, and Pintrest we have to visit the library.

Anyway, the long anticipated season of the 12^th Doctor has been released to Netflix, so my daughter went to a friend’s house to watch the first episode. Her friend’s parents and siblings watched the episode with the girls, but something that was said disturbed my daughter during the program.

Texas is a “Bible Belt” state, and most of her friends are devoutly religious, as are the missionary parents of her friend whose house my daughter visited to watch the program. The episode featured a lesbian couple in the plot, and her friend's father responded, “I hope they die.” This statement shocked and offended my daughter, but she knew if she spoke up for what she believed, equal rights for homosexuals, she would probably be banned from seeing her friend.

My daughter has stood up for gay rights in California when a science teacher told a story about a homosexual couple that fostered AIDS babies. One of the babies went into remission and the couple wanted to adopt the boy. The teacher felt this was morally wrong because the couple was not heterosexual.   I was proud of my daughter when she stood up for the homosexual couple in front of the whole class.

Opinions are opinions, and freedom of speech is part of our constitution. The parents did nothing wrong. They, after all, expressed their views in the privacy of their own home.  The parents did not act on their words or said  they would kill homosexuals, so hate mongering from the other side of the coin is just as unnecessary and wrong.

However, I find the incident sad. Christ said in Matthew 22: 37 – 40 (KJV):

Jesus said unto them [the apostles], Thou shalt love the Lord the God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets.

The apostle Paul preaches a strict version of condemnation in Ephesians, but Christ tells us the most important commandments are to love. Is it our job to judge and condemn?

I will leave that to God. 

Hungry?

How 'bout some Rat Cheese?

Found this sign in the window of a Mom and Pop grocery store. I stopped for the marque sign near the road offering pecan pies for sale, but I was surprised to see the other delicacies they offered.

Driving Miss Dezzy...

Dezzy, our nine-year-old boxer loves to go bye-bye. Every time I take her with me to do errands, she always winds up in the front seat. Staring out the front windshield, as if she believes she has every right to drive the car.

My nine-year-old boxer, Dezzy, loves to go bye-bye, but everytime I take her somewhere and have to leave the car for a minute or two, she seizes the opportunity to jump in the driver's seat.

      

It always takes me a minute or two to convince her she doesn't have a license, but she doesn't believe me. 

Keep Calm and ... Stop Screwing with WWII Slogan

I was at a semi-pro baseball game on the Forth of July and was disgusted by the butchering of the original British government's propaganda poster created to encourage its citizens during the war with Germany.

For more information there's a great little video on the origins of Keep Calm and Carry On

Enchilada Cassarole

Cooking for my hubby is like cooking for Chef Ramsey, only Lorne doesn't throw things. 

I do. 

I hate cooking. 

I try, but nothing is ever as wonderful as my husbands Five-Star Restaurant meals. 

His favorite comment after eating my meals is... dinner was adequatious. 

Tonight his response was "Well Done!" 

(Thank you Maria for helping me with this recipe.)

Happiest Person...

I am not the most cheerful person in the world, but I try not to let negativity dwarf my positive attitude. Unfortunately, sometimes the Grumpy in me prevails. 

How lucky I was to marry the Happy-ist of Snow Whites friends. My husband always finds ways to keep his spirits souring, and from the Certificate of Award from junior high he has always had this gift.