my writing process blog tour

Thanks, Natalie Dietz Raines, for including me on this tour!  Natalie and I are long time friends from the non internets.  I know her as a talented flute-playin', giggle-inducing, kind-hearted, pretty gal with great taste in shoes.  I can't believe I didn't know her real gig was food until a few years ago when we reunited over the internet after she moved to Nashville.  (How did I miss that famous arroz con pollo before you left?)  Her blog, At Home In Any Kitchen, is not your average recipe sharing blog.  It's more like a witty culinary school blog- inspiring cooks of every skill level to be fluent in their recipe repertoire, along with how to be most efficient in their kitchen.  She covers everything from her top 5 favorite Trader Joe's frozen foods for fast weeknight dinner ideas (!!!) to holiday entertaining tips & tricks to- did you know you could revive stale tortilla chips in the oven?  It's true.  I did it yesterday, and it felt almost as miraculous as reviving a frozen kitten in a warm oven (not that I've ever done that).  If you have a few hours to spare, use it to get sucked into her blog and then into your kitchen.  You won't regret it.

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What am I working on?

I am currently busy making a baby, being a mom to two older girls, and trying to juggle other random creative pursuits (specifically photography and short story writing).

I've always felt torn between my interest in photography (once video) and my interest in writing.  I'll go through seasons of ditching one medium for another, like a fickle lover.  My main goal at this point is to stop considering each mutually exclusive, and to allow each medium to inspire the other.  Crazier things have happened.  Like the time that I exercised and it inspired me to do a juice fast.  That was the craziest.

I've spent the last year working on some random short stories, while my brother and I talk of collaborating on some projects as well.  Lots of little things in the works, but nothing (more than my blog) that I'm eager to share.  Yet.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I'm not sure I can set myself apart from others yet, as I still find myself studying Sally Mann or Nan Goldin photos (among others) with hearts in my eyes and then trying my hardest to recreate similar scenes in my own life.  When does the "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" phase end?  Ever?

And as far as writing goes, I'm not sure who to align myself with.  I've been "mom blogging" for almost 9 years, but man if I don't hate that label.  It was never my intention to show off my life or make it appear more glorious than it really is.  Likewise, I never wanted to find myself in that rut of joking about how much alcohol one needs to consume daily in order to be a "good" mom.  I only ever wanted to write what I know, what I felt, and hoped that it would ring true to the reader.  A reader.  Any reader.

Why do I write what I do?

Initially, I created a blog as an alternative to a baby book, solely documenting milestones, a way of sharing these moments with long distance friends & family.  It only took a year or so before I realized that the joys of motherhood were also found in the hilariously mundane, so I ran with those countless stories.

As I've watched my kids grow (and become less appreciative of their online presence [aka jokes at their expense]), I've tried to move away from using them as subjects.  Life, with or without offspring, is riddled with absurd moments that are begging to be written down.  And I believe it's those subtleties in literature that make real life shine- the senses being lit by adjectives describing ridiculous awkward exchanges between strangers... or the intense boredom of childhood that leads a person into adulthood with creative eyes... or the tragically unfair hands that have been dealt to good people.  It makes for the best writing because it makes up most of life.  I want to write about that.

How does my writing process work?

I wish there was more strategy in my process.  I really only post when the mood strikes.

I have a tendency towards saying too much too fast, which has led to me becoming all too acquainted with the taste of my foot.  This can make for a good story.

I have a tendency to be over analytical, or so says every person in my life.  Come to find out, overly analytical people are more fun on paper than in person.

I have a tendency towards exaggeration, so I've been told.  This makes me a terrible journalist, but who cares because this is the one trait that makes the unfiltered neurotic writer (mentioned above) fun.

Last year, I committed to a weekly group photo project.  It was a wonderful way to keep me on my toes creatively, while also holding me accountable to a schedule.  I think I need more of that.  Otherwise I can go months on end waiting for the fodder to fall into my lap.

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Lastly, thanks to anyone who reads this.  I'm so terrible at replying to comments, and I'm sorry.  They brighten my day like you wouldn't believe.

A few other blogs to check out:

-The Ma Books- a collaborative project started by my friend, Jessica of House of Habit.  It's lovely and inspiring.
-Cloistered Away- Bethany, also a contributor to the blog Spilled Milk, documents the beauty of everyday realities with her family.
-Hula Seventy- I would normally classify Andrea as polaroid aficionado, but her words are just as magical as her photos.