Last September I signed up for a writing class at our local Y called Writing Motherhood. I had known about the class for years, and had always been intrigued by it, but the timing was never right for me. I also had a big obstacle in my way, keeping me from exploring writing. Although I was busy taking care of my kids and getting pregnant, but that wasn't my issue. My hang up was that I was scared that I would have nothing to say. I always said that I wanted to write a book one day, but I kept postponing starting.
I don't know what possessed me to sign up for the class, but it changed my life. I met Lisa Garrigues, the teacher and author of Writing Motherhood and she empowered me to write ... about everything. From dirty diapers to divorce, she showed me the poetry in my life.
Since taking her class, I've filled four notebooks with my scribblings. I've started this blog and have met wonderful people across the world. I've submitted a few articles for publication - have gotten rejected a bunch of times - but recently found out that our local Parent Pages is going to publish a piece I wrote about becoming a Jersey Girl. And suddenly I have a new goal to work towards as I emerge from the infant years - freelance writer. I wouldn't have done any of it if I hadn't signed up for Lisa's class.
Lisa's book has recently come out in paperback (I did a giveaway of it a few months ago), and I'm helping her to get some blog buzz by organizing a special event next Tuesday: the Writing Motherhood Post & Chat. A dozen or more blogs are going to be giving away a copy of Writing Motherhood to all their readers who write about Firsts - first words and other firsts - first shoes, first day of kindergarten, first day of college, any piece of writing that begins with the words "the first time..." To enter to win, just go to one or all of these blogs and either share a link of your post on your blog about firsts or comment about it on their blog.
The best part of the event is that Lisa is going to be commenting on everyone's posts all day on Tuesday - sharing some of her empowering feedback and great writing tips.
I'll be posting about some firsts on Tuesday - I hope you will too! Here is a list of the participating blogs - just go to any of them, or all of them on Tuesday and link to your post or just enter your "first" story in their comments. Good luck!:
- A Frog in my Soup
- It's My Life
- Monkey Business
- Laura Williams Musings
- Mama Bird Diaries
- Mommy Vents
- Not Just a Working Mom
- The 3Rs - Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness
- Role Mommy
- This Week for Dinner
- Nouvelle Blogger
