Tuesday, June 17

Book Club...for the writers and wanna-be-writters out there!

Book Club time! For those of you who like to read and/or write, today's books are perfect for you as they are are both about writing. If you are an aspiring writer, enjoy reading about the craft, or just like good writing, you will enjoy these books.

Today's post is long...so, please click through to read it all. It's a good post, I promise! The books are amazing. Plus, if you stick through to the very end you get to hear about my most embarrassing, awful moment as a mother. You don't want to miss that, right?

Click here to continue to the post and see the books!


First is On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. I love this book. It's wonderfully written. I love Stephen King - his books are PAGE TURNERS. I chose Lisey's Story for my book club a few months back and it got mixed reviews. I mean, he's a great writer, but not everyone likes twisted crazy stories. I do, so I loved it. Anyway, Loretta HATED Lisey's Story and loved On Writing. I'm telling you, On Writing is great no matter your feelings for the King of Horror...

The first half of On Writing is an autobiography of sorts, where King shares his history as a writer. The second half is all about how to write. It is so so so good. Even if you're not a writer, it will make you appreciate writing more. It will also make you more critical of the books you read, which is both good and bad (um, like I was reading On Writing at the same time I read the Twilight books...I know I'm going to get everyone mad at me, but as much fun as the Twilight books are, well, I don't like to speak negatively of anyone....let's just say if you want to enjoy the Twilight books, absolutely do NOT read On Writing simultaneously.)

Writing Motherhood is the other book I'd like to share with you. The author, Lisa Garrigues, is a writer and mother herself and teaches a course also called Writing Motherhood. The book is great. A very enjoyable read and full of awesome ideas. It definitely makes me more excited to write about my experiences as a mother. I really think any mom (or dad!) would enjoy this book, no matter your interest in writing.

New Jersey Moms Blog is "hosting" a book club today for Writing Motherhood. Be sure to go over and share your own experiences, as well as read everyone else's! Plus the author is commenting and participating as well!

Here's my contribution for today's New Jersey Moms Blog book club (you're supposed to write either about rules for your children or your most inexcusable/terrible mothering moment):

My most inexcusable mothering moment in my short 3 1/2 years of mothering was the time Cate fell in a swimming pool. We were at a friend's house and Cate, ~18 months old at the time, was completely uninterested in the pool. She was in a different part of the yard playing. I turned my back literally for 10 seconds and the next thing I know my dear friend is sprinting across the yard and jumping in her pool fully clothed. I look in the pool and see my little angel literally rolling in the water. I will never forget that sight as long as I live (I can't believe I'm even admitting to it publicly!). Thankfully she was in the water only a few seconds and was breathing the whole time. But I felt like the worst mom ever. I didn't want to tell Nate about it. I did, of course, but it was awful. I have never felt more grateful, blessed and lucky in my life for my story's end. And the experience definitely made me a better mother.

5 comments:

WritingMother said...

Hi Jane, I know, it's late, and my family has started eating dinner without me, but as the author of Writing Motherhood, I want to respond to your post. First, I also love Stephen King's book, mention it in Writing Motherhood, and feel honored to be included in his company. Thanks! I'm so glad you find Writing Motherhood inspiring. As for your "bad" mothering moment, oh my, the story made me want to hug you. I'm sure this is a story you will tell for years to come, one you will write about again and again. I hope in writing about it you can let it go, and forgive yourself. I know your readers will relate. Keep on writing. All best, Lisa

jane maynard said...

Thank you so much for your comment, Lisa! I feel honored to have you comment on my blog! And you deserve to be in such good company as Stephen King. :)

Go eat dinner! And thank you again for your kind words!

justme said...

oh my lord. i am so neurotic about pools. it takes such a quick second for something to happen. this is making me remember to be vigilant at the pool.

Cindy Fey said...

The way you call your daughter "my dear friend" is just heart-breaking. So happy for your happy ending.

jane maynard said...

well...actually...my dear friend in this story is my friend who owned the house - she spotted cate before I did and is the one who saved her. but, I would definitely say cate is my DEAREST friend. :)

it's a good thing I have these writing books to help me be a better writer!