It's fall break this week, which means my kids can stay up late and sleep in late. That's what vacations are for, y'know!
Last night I went to bed and I asked my daughter if she would read me a bedtime story. Her eyes lit up and she said, "Yes!" and then went upstairs to pick out a book. She chose the one pictured above, a book that I absolutely love.
And while I was tucked under the covers, she read me Bear Snores On, even holding it up like her teacher does in the classroom.
I nearly cried. Not only was it a precious memory, but to see her read and sound out the words she didn't know was such a blessing. If you'll remember, she struggled with reading quite a bit. But thanks to the wonderful efforts of her school and the Reading Recovery program, she is back on track.
On Writing
Yesterday, I had a bit of a lull at work. So I decided to do the unthinkable - write. *grin* I had an idea for a story while riding the elevator and I started typing. I didn't think about what I was writing, didn't worry about spelling or grammar, but just wrote. And I got lost in flow, forgot about the noise around me, and just wrote. Will this story ever see the pages of a magazine? Doubtful. But that's perfectly ok. I need to get the idea out of my head that everything I write has to be for publishing purposes. Sometimes, it's ok to write just for writing's sake.
I also had a bit of a breakthrough on the whole burn-out issue, and felt the spark start to slowly flame to life again. But I'm not pushing the issue, and so spent the night reading, learning how to draw Scooby Doo with my daughter, watching Disney's Cars, and talking with my husband.
Thanks to all of you for your great advice and comments on yesterday's post. Each and every one of you is awesome!
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I think that with all that's gone on in your life over the past few months, Melissa, you're entitled to a rest. Sometimes events have a way of catching up with you (all at once!) and then it pours and pours on your parade for a bit.
ReplyDeleteYour exercise regime will definitely help you maintain balance. And I'm glad that you did some writing yesterday just for writing's sake. That's important, too.
Sometimes I find that if I'm writing the wrong the story I get stumped. Doesn't matter how much I think it's the right story or how much I've researched, if it's not that story's time, it won't come to me. Maybe that's the case for your Italian novel? Or maybe there's something off in your plotting that your subconscious mind knows and you don't know yet?
I LOVE that children's book, Melissa! We randomly picked it up from the library, and after I read it I realized that there are "good" children's books and "not-so-good" ones. It encouraged me to write children's fiction even though I've never wanted to do that before. Love that book!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling the spark again. And your daughter reading YOU a bedtime story is adorable. What a wonderful memory you created for both of you.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely!
ReplyDeleteI often take advantages of lulls at work to read or write or update/visit blogs and websites.
ReplyDeleteI got so excited about Bear Snores On that I read your post too quickly... What a wonderful thing to have your daughter read to you now. I bet she is so proud of herself!
ReplyDeleteGreat news.
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't it lovely when they read to you? My eldest does occasionally (when he's found something he thinks is fascinating and wants to share it with someone who will 'get' it - usually me), but my little one loves reading me whatever she's into at the moment (right now it's Animal Ark).