I’m the mother of three intelligent, adventurous and very opinionated children (1 a college graduate and now studying abroad, 1 in college and 1 in high school), and the wife of an equally challenging husband. I wanted a place to express myself… however I want, on the topic of being a mother, wife, and woman: unedited, un-nuanced, unfiltered, and un-corrected. No holds-barred. Straight up, with a twist… my twisted take on things.
I live in the NW corner of Washington state. No doubt, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. Interesting people and natural beauty abound. While I grew up in the Boston area, and will always be tied to that place, this is where I belong, where I am anchored, and a place I have been happy to raise my kids and live. There isn’t a single day that passes, when I don’t feel grateful that I landed here.
<– View from my home.
There are lots of things that make me who I am… plenty good, and plenty not. I practice yoga (and have for 15 yrs now); I ski; I paint; I enjoy photography and draw; I LOVE to travel and do it as often as I can; I love hiking and I love to read. I am always happy in the forest, especially the deep, lush forests of the Pacific NW. I am always happy on a ridge, above the tree line (even if I hate uphill climbs). However, I will always NEED to be near the sea. That is where I am the most, me… my natural habitat.
The thing that truly drives me however, and has since I won a “Pulitzer Prize” in sixth grade, is that I want to be a writer. It’s with me every day, and every night, even if I lost track of that for a few years being “Mom.” It colors and sometimes defines how I see the world: how would I write this down? It’s no longer a conscious effort, I just automatically watch things, and and find myself working out how I might put the details of the world around me, into words. I am forever editing something that is being written, in my head.
I thought a blog would be a great place to play with that effort. While I thought of starting this blog a couple of years ago, and came up with the name Tales From The Motherland at that time, it took me much longer than I’d anticipated to actually put it into action. I let procrastination, raising kids and filling my time with other things, always get in the way of the writing. I figure I’m about 10 years (at least) off my game plan at this point. Now that I have started this, I hope to blog at least twice a week, and be as honest as I can about the way I experience and see things. That’s not always easy, as I know some people won’t agree, and I can’t help but feel vulnerable at times, saying what’s really gurgling below the surface… but as a writer, I like the challenge.
I’ve completed my first novel and I’m working on numbers 2 and 3 in the “Gray room.” I hope to see the first published sometime by early 2013. Two of my blog posts were included in Tangerine Tango, Women Writers Share Slices of Life, available on Amazon and Create Space, and edited by Lisa Winkler, available on Amazon (all proceeds go to Huntington’s Disease Society of America/HDSA).
I’d like to connect with people through my writing. If you read my posts, feel free to give feedback… I may not always agree, but I always appreciate what others have to say. Feedback brings awareness, awareness brings growth. Thanks for sharing the journey.
I too like to write. Someday I will have my own blog. I commend you on following through with your dreams. Keep up the good work.
The west, and especially the north west are very special places.I can relate to why you feel at home there. Have you ever been to Alaska? That is some awesome landscape. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the great outdoors.
I Would love to hear more about your trip to Wyoming.
Is that you Doug, reunion Doug? We could have chatted about Wyoming then! If it’s not you, then oops.
Haven’t been to Alaska, but want to and will some day. Loved my road trip though and will hold on to that good vibe for a while! thanks for checking out the blog and for taking the time to comment.
yes it is me, reunion Doug. I wish we could have had much more time to chat. There were people I did not even get a chance to say hello to.
I love your blog! Congratulations on your Fresh Pressed post too….can’t wait to read more! Your writing is just lovely…thanks for sharing. I’m new to blogging myself, as an aspiring writing I thought it would be nice to see my words in print, even if I never get published.
Thank you so much Faun! I really appreciate the wonderful feedback… my heads bursting. : ) I hear you; I started the blog for similar reasons. It’s been great! I’ll check out yours when I get home. Hope you’ll read some of the other posts here and let me know what you think. The feedback is so valuable.
I never thought in a million years that she would go with me to the reunion. I had to ask if she would like to go, and she double crossed me and said yes. I was just trying to be nice.I will get even with her though, Hers is coming up around Thanksgiving time. I just might have to go to hers.
HA ha!! joke’s on you. : ) have fun tonight and say hi to everyone.
You have probably read or been told to write about what you know, which is a good place to start, but it is also important to write what you feel.
Write with the words that best express the topic and also what you feel. Don’t hold back, lay it out, make it real… leave the mother and wife behind and write in the voice of the woman that you think and know you are. Also don’t publish what you write until you are comfortable with the words and open to others opinions and comments, good or bad.
Good luck and good writing.
Great advice; thanks! I rarely hold back, though I do respect the fact that my kids (who are 15, 19, 21) might be effected by how or what I say. I’ve struggled with that aspect, but essentially agree that I owe them so degree of privacy and respect in what I print. As for when I publish, I generally read, re-read and then read it again, trying to get it the way I want it to be. Sometimes I even go back and edit after I’ve posted, if something sounds wrong to me. I really appreciate you taking the time to read this information about me and share your insights. They encourage me to continue pushing through on my writing. I hope you’ll read some of the posts and share more thoughts!
I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award because I really get a kick out of your blog. I especially enjoy your humour . Check out the link here and enjoy :
http://ritarussell.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/hip-hip-hooray-its-the-liebster-blog/
Rita
P.S. cool new look to your blog
Why thank you darling! I would have nominated you right back, but I sensed that we are suppose to keep the hot potato going? I hope so, because you are one of my favorites for sure! Thanks a lot.
I have just discovered your blog and will definitely have to read more. I, too, am originally from just outside of Boston. And I live 1/2 hr. south of Bellingham! I definitely relate to needing to be near the ocean, and loving photography. Please accept my condolences regarding the passing of your mother. I am so very sorry. (I found you through She’s A Maineiac). Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Funny how many of us New Englanders end up here… always fun when I hear the accent and make the connection. Thanks for stopping in and I hope you will go back and read some of the older, lighter stuff too. It’s not all doom and gloom!
thanks for taking the time.
Just wanted to follow up and let you know that we used the neuropsych you recommended and she is fabulous. We definitely have more clarity and a direction to go now. Thank you so very much.
So very welcome. Glad it worked out… she really is fantastic!
I love your blog, and I just passed along the Versatile Blogger Award to you! You may have it already, but I just wanted you to know that your blog is awesome! Stop by my site for more info.
Jean, thank you so much! I am truly honored. I have indeed gotten that award, but it is always (really) wonderful to be supported by your peers! Thank you.
Blogging is a great way to practice your writing! Nowadays, some blogs get more traffic than newspapers that have been around for many years!
Great point Frances! Thanks for checking out my blog.
Hello there! I just tagged you in a game of tag on my blog AND gave you a Good Apple award. Hooray! If you have time, check it out. Hooray!
Thanks Jean! Man, that took some thought… but I tried really hard to stick to my instant answers. Thanks for the love.
I am glad to have found your blog. I think it’s really important for people to be able to respectfully disagree with one another. Someone may try to convince me their point of view is better, correct, or whatever, or vice versa, but as long as 2 people can agree that even if they don’t agree with one another 100% they will try to listen, understand, and again ultimately respect each others thoughts.
I look forward to reading your blog, both new and older posts. It’s great to read about someone’s experiences in life in a raw and unaltered manner. There’s just too much…falseness… out there, and it’s refreshing to be able to see unfiltered thoughts
Thanks! I couldn’t agree with you more, though I admit that it doesn’t always work out that way. My goal is to be as authentic as possible in my posts and not give in to concerns about other issues… short of hurting others intentionally or being disrespectful.
I’m glad you found the blog too, and hope you enjoy some of the older posts. I think there’s been a real evolution, from where I started to now. It’s good to be getting it down. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and share your thoughts.
I’m one of the other writers in Tangerine Tango…nice to meet you!
Thanks Gabi (not really your name)! Nice to meet you too. I’ll have to check out your site as well. Very exciting stuff; can’t wait to see the book finished! Thanks for checking out my site, and I hope you’ll read a few other posts. I’ll do the same on your page.
…loved reading just a smidgeon of your very excellent blog!
its funny you talk about washington state…im a born and bred englishman and always wanted to emigrate to your “evergreen” state…spent something like 6 years of my life trying to get there legally…but they didnt want me…perhaps they prefer illegals instead!! anyways, i did the next best thing and moved to canada…im virtually a neighbour of yours..just over the border in BC!
just like yourself, ive always been a fancier of forests, mountains, etc, so im in my element here…and just as you say..i still cant believe im living where i am….its the paradise for me…! and wow…is it synchronicity or something here….as i also practise yoga, with tai chi and chi gong thrown in…! anyway, i digress…..carry on the good work!
Well filmcamera999, thanks! Glad you found my blog and that we share so much in common. Today we share even more in common, as I’m enjoying Vancouver for the weekend… because, indeed, we are so close to that fabulous place! Synchronicity abounds.
Thanks for taking the time to find my work and follow. I hope you’ll look over some older posts and let me know what you think.
no problem…will do!
I’m always excited to meet other writers in the area, and so glad you spoke up on the BWG list. I’m also an artist/writer hybrid! Depending on where you do your shopping, I might even have sold you some of your painting/drawing supplies. It’s good to e-meet you–hopefully soon we can shake hands instead of trading keyboard taps.
Hoping to go to the Writer’s group meeting tonight… we can shake then.
And yes, it is really great to find kindred spirits. I haven’t had a lot of that.
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I am awarding you the Versatile Blogger Award for the quality of your work. Further information is available at this site – http://wp.me/p2FYRz-9F.
Congratulations! Keep up the good work. I will be following along. – Mike
Mike, thank you! You are so sweet, and much appreciated. I’ll respond as soon as I can. I know that it involves some questions and referrals, but I need to settle in and catch up a bit first. Got in from Israel at midnight last night, after 36 hrs of travel, and having been up for 53 hrs!! I think my head will be spinning for a few days. So thoughtful of you though, so thanks!
found you over at HF, love your boat pic above!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check out my blog; much appreciated! I hope you’ll weigh in on some other posts as well. It’s always fun to have new voices onboard! The boat is an old wreck near my home (love it too) and I’m a huge fan of of HF!
Lost in your blog this morning as you know and has calmed me right down
Now I should go do some work…
What’s the name of your first book published Dawn?
I haven’t published my first book yet Annie. I’ve been stuck… I need to just do it! Hence the Hawaiian magical trip to Ron Artis studio. I have some blog posts published in Tangerine Tango, Women Writers Share Slices of Life, by fellow blogger Lisa Winkler. My goal is to get going on my own work… it’s a climb, out of the muck.
Ah yes so that’s what you’re stuck on of course! Go girl
amongst other things… :-p
xx
I get chills reading your blog. You are a fantastic writer with such a colourful style. I’m glad I found your little corner of the internet. I quite like it here.
T.DM
Wow! Thanks so much Teresa. I appreciated the feedback and support. I’m glad you found my corner too, and I hope you’ll stick around. Love getting feedback; thanks for the effort!
Thanks again Maineiac! I love it out here and don’t miss the snow at all! I do miss New England sometimes, but I’m where I belong.