Let's say today your ceiling is made of stars. Let's say you're looking, but you're not sure what you might find. Let's say your time here is brief. What's something you might share? And who else might share that something with you?
I once signed up for a writing class under my husband’s name and wrote as if I was a mid-30s dude. I’ve never gotten so many compliments on my writing.
Oh, yes. Good point. Sheesh, the trying to attract an agent thing is tricky. Still on that? How's it going? I'm trying to get a book proposal to the point where I can start reaching out to agents myself.
I had a few full requests on my YA novel, but they all rejected it in the end. I'm working on historical fiction now (2nd draft almost done) and am hoping to query agents again in the fall.
Jenna -- !!! This is brilliant. And not exactly uplifting. A young nephew (20) is visiting me this week and said, at dinner last night, that he thought girls could do anything they wanted to nowadays. I took exception, but the table conversation went another direction, so I never got to drill down any farther. Out of curiosity, how long ago did you do this? I might need to bring up the subject with him again. LOL!
Yeah, it's frusturating when guys think there are no barriers (or even worse, that it's easier to be female these days!) I know Sheryl Sandburg's Lean In movement isn't really in vogue anymore, but boy does she have some genius things to say about all this.
Nope! And I don’t know whether to be dismayed. Can’t tell whether the accolades were because of my (presumed) sex OR if I was actually writing while in someone else’s head. A bit of both, I think.
High five, yes. Have only had the privilege once, when, a week after he fell from a ladder, a friend's brother was disconnected from life support. She and her parents asked two or three others to be present for the moment. I will never forget it.
I always pretended I was religious at my best friend’s house. She knew my family wasn’t but I was afraid of being judged by her family. I even bought a Bible and packed it in my overnight bag so I had “evidence” of my piety.:)
Oh the things we think as kids. I had a friend tell me she felt like this about my family. Meanwhile, I worried I would be judged by hers—as a religious rube, so to speak, unwise to worldly truths.
Well, I did have a fake ID—a couple as a matter of fact—that said I was of age before I was 21. Neither actually had my name, just other people’s IDs I used.
Sounds like a story behind that one, Gary! Thanks for sharing.
My parents sent me to a private high school because it was apparently ‘better’ academically than the public schools around — the only catch was it was a religious school and my family and I weren’t religious. So for three —before I dropped out and went to another school — I sat through religion classes and schools masses in the chapel. Not feeling a part of those events meant that I found myself ‘watching’ everyone engage in these religious rituals from a distance — I actually think that time made me more of a watcher of the world.
It’s so interesting, Holly — until you shared your piece I had never really connected the two things. I just kind of spontaneously realised as I was typing out my comment. It was actually a very cool experience. I also thought about writing about I t, but I’m working on something at the moment, so maybe later.
And yes, I think being a watcher lends itself to being a writer — I notice the watcher tendencies come out in your writing too.
When I was 15 and on a flight without any adult supervision, the guy in the next seat was very curious to know what I did for work that had me jet-setting all over the world drinking Bloody Marys, and I told him I was a journalist. About 30 years later, I found myself feeling really guilty for telling the guy in the next seat, who asked what I did for a living, that I was a journalist, and I thought, "Jeez, why are you making shit up?" and then I realized I was in fact a journalist
Hahaha! Love this. I so very much at age 15 wanted to be the one who was getting away with drinking bloody Marys and pretending to be a journalist. But I looked very young. 😂 I would not have been able to fool anyone into giving me a Bloody Mary, much less believing I was a journalist.
Great story and a powerful question, Holly. I have an identical twin. Back in the day, I asked him to be me at one or two social events when double booked...
Well, I had to like this one, even though I can’t truly high-five you in the middle. That said, the very cousin in the story and I used to pretend to be “identical cousins.” When we were younger, we were pretty sure we would be able to fool teachers and classmates if we wanted to. Photos prove otherwise though. 🤣
I did not know you have an identical twin. How cool! What you learn about people is one of the reasons I love questions like this.
I pretended to be my daughter. She was having issues getting appropriate response on a computer repair and she really needed the device for her college schoolwork. So, I called the company rep and cranked it up a notch or two. I have a notion he scoped her out online, because things got a little less business like by the end of our negotiations. Nothing untoward. Just a tone shift. Not only did she get her machine back within 36 hours of my call (after WEEKS of no activity), he also threw in a new hard case cover for "my trouble."
My daughter and sister have asked me to do this. I’m very good with people over the phone! I love that you got her computer repaired and a new case. :)
This is such a fun exercise, Holly. As I listened, I couldn’t think of ever pretending to be someone else. That said, I’ve had plenty of professional moments where it *felt* like I was pretending. 😂
May have you ever: been present at the birth of a child? (As distinct from giving birth.) It’s truly amazing. We were at the birth of our adopted son; I even got to cut his cord. I felt like, finally, I’m a true member of the human race.
Oh, yes, I can relate to feeling like you're pretending. I mean, isn't that part of life in some sense--fake it till you make it? It feels like it often is, for me anyway, a part of the process toward doing the next hard, scary, exciting, transformative thing.
And yes for sure a high five on this one. I was present for the birth of my nephew, and wow. The moment of his entrance--his transition from one realm to the next--is hard to fully grasp even though I saw it. It's humbling to try and wrap my head around how we all came into this existence.
I didn't know you had an adopted son, Julie. Thank you for sharing. I so very much love knowing that. I have a special place in my heart for adoptive moms.
As a child I pretended that I was Ringo Starr. I so wanted to be a musician. After my period of pretending I begged my mom to buy me a guitar. Playing that guitar made me feel more like myself than anything. When I am on stage I feel more like home than anywhere else.
I once signed up for a writing class under my husband’s name and wrote as if I was a mid-30s dude. I’ve never gotten so many compliments on my writing.
Hahaha! Jenna, that is very interesting. I'm soooo intrigued by this. Gives writing under a pseudonym a whole different spin.
Highly recommend! Just not in a class where you are trying to get published, attract the eyes of an agent, or trying to find friends.
Oh, yes. Good point. Sheesh, the trying to attract an agent thing is tricky. Still on that? How's it going? I'm trying to get a book proposal to the point where I can start reaching out to agents myself.
I had a few full requests on my YA novel, but they all rejected it in the end. I'm working on historical fiction now (2nd draft almost done) and am hoping to query agents again in the fall.
Fingers crossed!!
Jenna -- !!! This is brilliant. And not exactly uplifting. A young nephew (20) is visiting me this week and said, at dinner last night, that he thought girls could do anything they wanted to nowadays. I took exception, but the table conversation went another direction, so I never got to drill down any farther. Out of curiosity, how long ago did you do this? I might need to bring up the subject with him again. LOL!
It was 5 or 6 years ago.
Yeah, it's frusturating when guys think there are no barriers (or even worse, that it's easier to be female these days!) I know Sheryl Sandburg's Lean In movement isn't really in vogue anymore, but boy does she have some genius things to say about all this.
Brilliant. I love this.
This is genius and also dismaying. Did you ever tell them in the end?
Nope! And I don’t know whether to be dismayed. Can’t tell whether the accolades were because of my (presumed) sex OR if I was actually writing while in someone else’s head. A bit of both, I think.
I would say for sure the latter! Can't be the former alone. :)
Been present with someone you love as they transitioned from this world to the next.
Oh, thank you for sharing, Anita. This is such a beautiful one. I meet you in the middle on this one and offer you a hug instead of a high five. 💕
High five, yes. Have only had the privilege once, when, a week after he fell from a ladder, a friend's brother was disconnected from life support. She and her parents asked two or three others to be present for the moment. I will never forget it.
High-five YES. I was holding my father’s hand as he left us. It was truly profound and beautiful.
I always pretended I was religious at my best friend’s house. She knew my family wasn’t but I was afraid of being judged by her family. I even bought a Bible and packed it in my overnight bag so I had “evidence” of my piety.:)
Oh the things we think as kids. I had a friend tell me she felt like this about my family. Meanwhile, I worried I would be judged by hers—as a religious rube, so to speak, unwise to worldly truths.
hilarious :)
Thank you for inspiring us to connect!!!
Thank you for being part of many of these connections with me irl!!! 🥰
Had a fake id card that said I was Marine officer
Well, I did have a fake ID—a couple as a matter of fact—that said I was of age before I was 21. Neither actually had my name, just other people’s IDs I used.
Sounds like a story behind that one, Gary! Thanks for sharing.
My parents sent me to a private high school because it was apparently ‘better’ academically than the public schools around — the only catch was it was a religious school and my family and I weren’t religious. So for three —before I dropped out and went to another school — I sat through religion classes and schools masses in the chapel. Not feeling a part of those events meant that I found myself ‘watching’ everyone engage in these religious rituals from a distance — I actually think that time made me more of a watcher of the world.
Thanks Holly!
Great piece and a fun exercise. :)
How interesting that you can look back and see how the experience formed you. I’m glad you’re a watcher of the world! It’s apparent in your writing.
It’s so interesting, Holly — until you shared your piece I had never really connected the two things. I just kind of spontaneously realised as I was typing out my comment. It was actually a very cool experience. I also thought about writing about I t, but I’m working on something at the moment, so maybe later.
And yes, I think being a watcher lends itself to being a writer — I notice the watcher tendencies come out in your writing too.
Thanks Holly :)
When I was 15 and on a flight without any adult supervision, the guy in the next seat was very curious to know what I did for work that had me jet-setting all over the world drinking Bloody Marys, and I told him I was a journalist. About 30 years later, I found myself feeling really guilty for telling the guy in the next seat, who asked what I did for a living, that I was a journalist, and I thought, "Jeez, why are you making shit up?" and then I realized I was in fact a journalist
Hahaha! Love this. I so very much at age 15 wanted to be the one who was getting away with drinking bloody Marys and pretending to be a journalist. But I looked very young. 😂 I would not have been able to fool anyone into giving me a Bloody Mary, much less believing I was a journalist.
Great story and a powerful question, Holly. I have an identical twin. Back in the day, I asked him to be me at one or two social events when double booked...
Well, I had to like this one, even though I can’t truly high-five you in the middle. That said, the very cousin in the story and I used to pretend to be “identical cousins.” When we were younger, we were pretty sure we would be able to fool teachers and classmates if we wanted to. Photos prove otherwise though. 🤣
I did not know you have an identical twin. How cool! What you learn about people is one of the reasons I love questions like this.
Good one Holly!
I pretended to be my daughter. She was having issues getting appropriate response on a computer repair and she really needed the device for her college schoolwork. So, I called the company rep and cranked it up a notch or two. I have a notion he scoped her out online, because things got a little less business like by the end of our negotiations. Nothing untoward. Just a tone shift. Not only did she get her machine back within 36 hours of my call (after WEEKS of no activity), he also threw in a new hard case cover for "my trouble."
My daughter and sister have asked me to do this. I’m very good with people over the phone! I love that you got her computer repaired and a new case. :)
I bet you're brilliant, Holly!
This is such a fun exercise, Holly. As I listened, I couldn’t think of ever pretending to be someone else. That said, I’ve had plenty of professional moments where it *felt* like I was pretending. 😂
May have you ever: been present at the birth of a child? (As distinct from giving birth.) It’s truly amazing. We were at the birth of our adopted son; I even got to cut his cord. I felt like, finally, I’m a true member of the human race.
Oh, yes, I can relate to feeling like you're pretending. I mean, isn't that part of life in some sense--fake it till you make it? It feels like it often is, for me anyway, a part of the process toward doing the next hard, scary, exciting, transformative thing.
And yes for sure a high five on this one. I was present for the birth of my nephew, and wow. The moment of his entrance--his transition from one realm to the next--is hard to fully grasp even though I saw it. It's humbling to try and wrap my head around how we all came into this existence.
I didn't know you had an adopted son, Julie. Thank you for sharing. I so very much love knowing that. I have a special place in my heart for adoptive moms.
Awwww! I was very glad the OB said just before he was born, ‘He’s going to be purple, but don’t worry it’s normal.’ 😱
Awwww! I was very glad the OB said just before he was born, ‘He’s going to be purple, but don’t worry it’s normal.’ 😱
They do come out so crinkly and “discolored”!
no idea! transitioning from a water being to a land one is rough!
Thank you Holly!
As a child I pretended that I was Ringo Starr. I so wanted to be a musician. After my period of pretending I begged my mom to buy me a guitar. Playing that guitar made me feel more like myself than anything. When I am on stage I feel more like home than anywhere else.
I love this! And I happen to know that you are a beautiful musician. So glad you had that imagination and got that guitar. 🎸💕
I might be pretending to be a car dealership in New York at this very moment... 😘😂💛
Wait, what? Hahahaha. I feel like there is a story here!!
There is ;)
https://gailmarleneschwartz.substack.com/p/mr-troy-ford-and-the-birth-of-a-community