When I was eight years old, I read a book that I’d checked out at the library about the beautiful bond between a little girl and a big shaggy dog. When the dog died at the end of the story, I remember tears dripping onto the last page. Once I was through panicking that I’d have to buy the book since I’d ruined it with large salty drops, I was amazed that a story could conjure so much emotion. Right there, in my blue and yellow daisy-papered childhood bedroom, I knew I wanted to be a writer.

When Lisa Sadikman asked me to participate in a blog hop about the writing process, I eagerly agreed. I love to read what fellow writers have to say about their passion. I also love to share my own sentiments about the written word.

I have answered a few questions about the writing process below. The three awesome writers that I have nominated will answer the same questions on their blogs next week.

What am I working on/writing?

Right this moment, I am writing this blog post. I also contribute articles to The Huffington Post and Hahas for Hoohas. Aside from that, I am fervently editing the novel that I completed last year. I’ve pitched it to several literary agents with no luck, but I’m holding onto my dream, baby. It’s going to be published. I’m going to cry when I see it on the shelf at my local bookstore. I’m going to use the money from my book sales to help feed hungry children and to buy bulk-sized boxes of expensive Gain detergent. And then I’m going to disagree with Quentin Tarantino when he tries to change the ending for the motion picture.

How does my work/writing differ from others of its genre?

Humor. Sure, there umpteen millions of humor bloggers and humor writers out there, too, so how do I differ from them? My mother thinks I’m funnier.

Why do I write what I do?

I write to stay sane. I write to keep from filling a Xanax prescription. I write about my children to always remember the precious and hilarious things they do. I write about the rude, the inconsiderate and the judgmental to keep from cursing them in public. I write about loved ones on the other side to keep them alive. I write about my faith because I want to share good news with others. I write about the characters that pop into my head because it is my job to give them life.

How does my writing process work?

I can’t write during daylight hours. I certainly wish I could. It would make my life much simpler if I could write while my children are at school. But for me, nighttime has always been the right time. When I was in high school, I wrote in my room after my mother went to bed. Now I write once my children have been tucked in and the house is silent. I prefer writing on the plush couch in our upstairs TV room. I write my best to music, but it must be slow and melodic and tell a story. I certainly can’t produce any sort of creative genius while head-banging to Metallica. My playlist includes a lot of Ray Lamontagne, some classical music and always Chris Cornell’s “Sunshower”. I’ve been writing to “Sunshower” since I was a teenager.

For me, writing is peace. And bliss. And necessary.

Here are the three talented writers that I’ve nominated for this blog hop. Check out their blogs and their reasons for writing.

Insert drum roll here.

Chris Carter is a SAHM of two pretty amazing grade school kids.  She has been writing at TheMomCafe.com for almost three years, where she hopes to encourage mothers everywhere through her humor, inspiration and faith.  You can find her at The Mom Café. And Pinterest. And Twitter. And Facebook. And Google Plus.

 

 

Christine Burke is the Keeper of the Fruit Loops, Manager of the Fecal Roster and Driver of the People Mover. In other words, she’s a mom. An Erma Bombeck Martha Stewart with a Roseanne twist…and she has the mouth and organized cabinets to prove it.  She is coauthor of the recently released I Just Want To Be Alone and owner of the blog The Keeper of The Fruit Loops.  She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pins stuff like it’s her job.

 

 

Christie Tate is a writer, lawyer and blogger in Chicago.   She enjoys spending her time being bossed around by her preschool children.  In turn, she gets them back by screwing up the lyrics to “Let It Go” and watching their heads explode.  Find her pearls of wisdom and slices of humble pie at www.outlawmama.com.

 

Lisa Sadikman is a writer living in Northern California with her husband, dog and three daughters, the third one arriving just as she began dreaming of a life beyond motherhood. Instead, it’s deja vu all over again except this time she’s wearing heels and blogging about it. Now a stay-at-home mom, she’s also worked as an ice cream scooper, a department store clerk, a congressional staffer, a mortgage trader, a reporter, an editor and a content and user interface strategist. Drawn to the power of telling true stories, Lisa writes to find balance, make sense of her world and carve out a safe place to sort through the chaos. A lifetime writer with a Master of Journalism, she blogs at the Huffington Post and on her own blog, Flingo. Her work has appeared in Salon, Babble, Literary Mama, The Sun and The Monthly, among others. You can read about her adventures navigating love, motherhood and grown-up life at Flingo and by following her on Twitter @LisaSadikman.