Well . . . .
We did it! Here are a few questions for you to think about after our 15 day writing marathon.
1. How did you do?
2. What did you accomplish?
3. What helped you succeed?
4. What would you change next time? (and there will be a next time!)
5. How will you continue on with your project?
As I mentioned yesterday, I was able to complete 3 of the 4 goals I made for myself, including a big rewrite of a book that comes out next year (which I sent off to my editor), going through and doing a lot of work on galleys for another book that comes out next year (that I sent off to my editor), and working on a book with Cheri (that book will go off in a week or two). The only book I didn’t get to is one I’m working on with Laura. But we have a firm deadline and hope to work together soon.
So, you tell all, too.
And we’ll let you know where dinner is and when, soon.
Congrats! Everyone.
Now to introduce my very good friend, Debbie Nance, who will be helping Kyra, Ann Dee and me on the blog.
Welcome, Debbie! I love you. Thanks for writing with us.
Rhubarb –
by Debbie Nance
Have you noticed how a single word can act as a trigger for your memory or imagination? Take for instance the word “rhubarb.”
Last night my husband, Cal, and I ate out and for dessert I chose rhubarb pie. I told Cal that besides the pie, I was eating a memory. Whenever I see rhubarb pie, it triggers thoughts of my childhood neighbors, Evelyn and Moyle Binns. They were old, like my grandparents old or older, and they loved to garden. As proof, they had beautiful roses in their front yard, and snapdragons and other flowers in the backyard plus a large vegetable garden that was raised up off the ground and encircled by red bricks. Whenever I got the chance, I walked along the bricks and looked at the growing plants. The Binns grew rhubarb and they shared it with my family. We had rhubarb pie and strawberry rhubarb jam. I remember stirring a pot on the stove where long strands of the deep purple-red-green rhubarb cooked. It didn’t take long to learn that rhubarb was very tart and required lots of sugar, but then it was heaven.
My memories triggered Cal’s. He told me that when he was a kid, he hated rhubarb because his family ate it raw with salt in long stalks like celery. But he also remembered the first time he tasted rhubarb pie, and how it changed his mind. He could recall the exact time and place, the complete dinner menu, who he was with and how he felt when it was announced that dessert was rhubarb pie. He didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so he took a bite and was pleasantly surprised.
After Cal and I got home, our younger son and his family stopped by to visit. I mentioned the rhubarb pie and my daughter-in-law told me her uncle has a farm where he grows and sells vegetables. He allowed her family to gather what they wanted and she has fond memories of fresh rhubarb pie.
Rhubarb is a strange word. Strange sounding, strange spelling. Great pie! Does it work as a trigger for you? What is another word that triggers your memories or imagination? How did your marathon go?
Throwing Up Words 