Posts Tagged "Writing Workshop"

Blog Business: How much is too much?

Posted by cafebebemama on Apr 12, 2010 in Blogger Love, Motherhood | 23 comments

I’ve been thinking about this Blogging Business in light of things like the Tots 100 Index, the MAD Awards and the upcoming Cybermummy.  I really love blogging and have been on a bit of a tear really, the last few weeks.  And therein lies the question:  How much is too much?

I’m not talking about how much you reveal of yourself or your family.  I’m not talking about whether you name your children or use camera-facing pictures of them.  I’m not talking about whether you talk about sex or other “taboo” or controversial topics.  What I’m talking about is, can you blog too much?  Can you publish too many posts?  How much is too much?

All bloggers (like writers) go through times of writer’s block.  You can’t think of a THING to write about.  You’re uninspired.  You have forgotten how to write.  Woe is me and all that jazz.  But thanks to things like Tara Cain’s Gallery every Wednesday and Josie’s Writing Workshop at Sleep is for the Weak every Thursday, many of us bloggers can drag ourselves out of those slumps and find new inspiration.  It seems that I don’t have writer’s block, however.  I seem to have writers diarroeah.  I can’t seem to stop myself from writing!  Since April 1 I have written 14 posts…today is April 12…that’s more than 1 post a day.  One March 30 I published 3 posts in one day.  What’s wrong with me??

Well, I’ve had a few reviews and have been tagged in a few memes and have been quite moved by Tara Cain’s Gallery so the posts have been coming thick and fast.  But what I have noticed is that my comments seem to have dropped off.  Am I writing too much?  Is everyone sick of me?  Have I clogged up everyone’s Google Readers to the point that they have deleted me altogether?  I’m not having a crisis, mind you, but I am seriously wondering if it’s possible to write too much?  I am sure that published authors would say “uh, no, dumb ass…it’s not” but in this fickle blogging world perhaps it is possible to irritate the bejesus out of people.

How often do you write?  In your humble opinion, what is an acceptable number of posts each week?  What makes a post worthy of your comments?  Do you find review posts a complete load of tosh?  Does any review post ever make you want to run out and buy that product?  If someone is on a bit of a writing tear do you find it irritating or do you appreciate loads of fresh content?  I’d love to know your opinion.  Please share your thoughts…

Tug of War

Posted by cafebebemama on Mar 4, 2010 in Motherhood, Writing Workshop | 14 comments

Battling my demons

There’s a tug of war going on inside of me.  I wonder why I write.  I wonder who’s reading what I write.  I wonder why I don’t get the comments I think I should.  I wonder why, despite the hours of time promoting it, my blog isn’t doing better.  I wonder why the pitches I write seem to go unnoticed.  I wonder why the suggestions I make are ignored.  I wonder why I can’t made myself be heard.

There’s a tug of war going on inside of me.  I used to be sexy and confident.  I used to weigh far less.  I used to have a twinkle in my eye.  I want to be those things again but I’m not sure I know how any longer.  Do I hide behind the new me because I don’t want to work that hard?

There’s a tug of war going on inside of me.  I want to be the best mum my daughter deserves.  I want to be a good cook and go the extra mile.  I want to entertain my daughter and be everything she needs.  But…I can’t seem to find the mojo to cook like Nigella or Delia.  I can’t seem to find the skill to be crafty like Mr. Maker.  I can’t seem to let my daughter just be…I’m forever meddling…am I doing the right things?  I’d like to think so but I fear I’m not.

There’s a tug of war going on inside of me.  I want to be a friend.  I want to have friends.  I want my daughter to have friends.  But I can’t seem to get myself out there to do it.  Is it the comfort of home?  I make excuses and wish for something different but if I don’t make it happen, who will?

There’s a tug of war going on inside of me.  I’m a good wife, I think.  But I could be better.  I could have our house gleaming from top to toe.  I could have fresh bread baking in the oven and a gorgeous meal waiting on the stove.  I could sew and knit; I could craft and bake.  I could dress better and prettier and take more care with my appearance.  What is stopping me?  Is that REALLY me?

There’s a tug of war going on inside of me…who’s going to win?  Who’s going to jump behind me on my side and help me do it?  Maybe I just need to rely on myself and dig in and pull…

(Written in support of the Writing Workshop at Sleep is for the Weak; prompt #2- Battling your Demons)

Cake Baking Disaster

Posted by cafebebemama on Jan 20, 2010 in American Mum Me, Little Miss Adventures, Motherhood, Writing Workshop | 12 comments

Happy 1st Birthday Little Miss

When Little Miss’ 1st birthday was approaching, I began to have grand dreams about her birthday cake.  What I ended up with was a cake baking disaster!

You see, I am just a little bit competitive with myself.  Family and friends who know me are now chortling at that statement.  The pressure of producing something similar to what my other friends had made for their daughter’s first birthday was overwhelming.  One friend had made a glorious cake with a sugarcraft Upsy Daisy on top.  Another friend had make a phenominal present shaped box with various colours of marzipan decorations.  I am the world’s worst cake maker, in England.  It’s something to do with the flour and the pan and the oven I think.  I never created such disastrous results in the US!

So, for Little Miss’ first birthday cake, knowing my limitations, I looked at the store bought options in my area which resulted in a big, fat nothing.  I didn’t want to give my daughter an inedible creation.  Little did I know that I would be making an inedible creation!  I eventually decided to make my own cake but didn’t have the time to make it “from scratch”.  I resorted to a sponge mix from the local co-operative.  Thanks to the time constraints (courtesy of my procrastination) I had to make the cake at my in-laws using my mother-in-law’s fancy-schmancy cooker.  What I succeeded in doing was browning the bejesus out of the cake while still having liquid cake mixture under the crusty surface.  On advice from the MIL, who hasn’t baked a thing in years, I took it out of the oven to turn down the temp and put a bit of aluminium foil on top to stop the browning.  I let it rest for a few minutes while the temp went down in the oven.  After popping it back in for a good 15 minutes, I pulled the precious cake out of the oven.  Thanks to the changes in temperatures, I had created a giant HOLE in the middle of the cake.  Not just an average hole but one that went completely to the bottom of the  pan.  There could be no disguising it.  Want to see? (after the lurid pink icing was applied mind you):

What IS that Mummy?

In the US, the FIRST birthday cake is ever so important.  What’s usually done is the glorious cake that Mummy (or better yet, a baker) has slaved over is placed on the high chair of the honourable child and he or she is allowed to throw themselves into it.  Cake generally ends up in every orifice and icing coats the child from head to toe (and floor) but there is much frivolity and picture taking.  This is not so much the trend in the UK apparently as my husband had no clue what I was talking about!  But, you know what?  Little Miss didn’t really care that her 1st Birthday Cake was complete rubbish.  What did she know?  This was her review…

Never mind Mummy, It's alright!

I really should have realised my shortcomings and asked a family member to help me or even order a cake from a baker but I wanted to make my daughter’s first birthday cake.  I have now accepted the fact that I am complete rubbish at cake making (in this country) and that I should hang up my apron on this category.  I can admit it…I’m a CRAP CAKE BAKER and from now on, I will leave this art to the professionals and stick to what I do best…stressing!

(This post is in support of Josie’s Writing Workshop at Sleep is for the Weak using writing prompt #4- Tell me about something you did that would have been better done by a professional.  Thanks Josie!)

Ranting about Primark and Others

Posted by cafebebemama on Dec 9, 2009 in Writing Workshop | 26 comments

I can't believe it!

As Christmas is approaching and I’m trying to be good. I just need to get out a few rants and then I’ll be ready to be good!  Josie at Sleep is for the Weak is the Prompt Queen in her Writing Workshop.  I just love that Josie…she always gives me something to write about…thanks Josie…please never stop!  So, are you ready? I can be vicious but I’m going to get it all out and feel much better afterwards…ready, steady…RANT:

• Primark is on my list of RUBBISH STORES!  I had never experienced the horror that is Primark until about a month ago.  Hubby, Little Miss and I went on a mini-break to Stoke-on-Trent (thanks to Amy at And 1 More Means Four) and stopped at the Stoke-on-Trent shopping centre.  Primark was a major fixture and I have heard so many people rave about it.  I’ve also heard many people moan about it because of the supposed sweat shops and slave labour in Third World Countries that are used to make the ridiculously cheap clothing.  We ended up getting the following for Little Miss: A fleece lined raincoat, 4 pairs of trousers and a shirt for all of £23.  A steal!  I now know why!  It’s made of completely rubbish material that will last maybe one or two uses and then lose any shape it might have originally had.  We bought a pair of leggings for Little Miss, sized 18-23 months.  As she wore one pair, throughout the day they got bigger and bigger and bigger…I could have fit 2 of Little Miss into these bloomin’ leggings by the end of the day!  Rubbish!  Yes, the clothes are DIRT cheap and are probably suitable for “throw away” clothes.  But DIRT cheap is only suitable when you can get more than 2 uses out of something.  There’s a certain air of desperation when you walk around Primark.  Everyone seems desperate to fill the bags they provide you with…no matter what it is!  I bought a pair of jeans there 2 weeks ago- £8!  I know I’m not the size I used to be but by the end of the first wearing my jeans were BAGGY on me…they had expanded as well.  And I don’t think that was down to me!  So guess what Primark, you may have cheap clothes but I’m not going to waste my time on you EVER AGAIN!
• Avent is the maker of bottles, sterilisers, etc, etc, etc…for babies everywhere.  A reliable and sound brand that many people love and trust.  We are firm users of the Avent Soother/Dummy.  In our house, we don’t subscribe to the “character” dummy.  We have the clear, minimalistic dummy.  I don’t want Little Miss’ face decorated.  I prefer to see her face!  We have always been able to find the clear dummies…UNTIL NOW!  For some reason, Avent has decided that the 6-18 month size dummy is in need of a bit of JAZZING UP!  I cannot find, in our area, a clear 6-18 month dummy to save our life.  They are all DECORATED…and not very nicely either.  Little Miss is down to her LAST Avent 6-18 month dummy as Daddy managed to lose the other one last weekend.  WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO???  Avent…DO YOU HEAR ME???  We need/want/must have CLEAR, 6-18 month dummies to the Peterborough area PRONTO!!!  Little Miss’ last dummy won’t last for long!
• My local Sure Start Children’s Centre does not offer hardly ANYTHING for my daughter’s age!  There’s a messy play session once a week and a music class on one morning each week (which we participated in from 3-13 months) and that’s it!  Everything else is for Mums and Newborn Babies or for School Age children.  What about our girls?  I can’t afford to send her to Tumble Tots or to other classes that cost money (unfortunately) so that’s what a Sure Start Children’s Centre is supposed to be for…those of us in NEED!  And they are definitely filling the bill for the wee ones and the school age ones but it’s time to think about all the children in the middle who are being left out.  Please oh please, consider getting something for Little Miss to do…we are desperate!
• I’m going to be a grammar and spelling snob now.  I REALLY can’t stand to read posts that have appalling spelling and grammar.  I know I am not perfect by any means and I don’t always use spell check or get things right but if you know you don’t write particularly well and struggle with spelling, couldn’t you just use spell check and proofread your post before you hit publish?  It’s just that I can’t see anything but your spelling errors and ridiculous run-on-sentences!  It doesn’t seem to make a difference to the popularity of your site or traffic statsof these people but really, couldn’t they possibly TRY to spell properly?  (I’m hoping there are no spelling errors here now!)

Phew…I feel a bit better now!  That wasn’t too bad was it?  I’m becoming a bit more mellow in my old age, I think.  I thought I would have a lot more to rant about but that will do for this year.  What “does your head in”?  How do you feel about Primark?  Are you an Avent rep who would like to gift me with several clear, 6-18 month size dummies?  Let me know!  Happy Holidays!

Wednesday Writing Workshop

Posted by cafebebemama on Oct 21, 2009 in Writing Workshop | 16 comments

The very talented and inspirational Josie at Sleep is for the Weak has given me a new PROMPT to write from.  Thank you Josie!  After yesterday, it’s just the thing I need.  Josie’s challenge was to chose one of her writing prompts to get you thinking creatively.  I’m not a professional writer…it’s just something I do, but, we can all use a little inspiration now and then, can’t we?  I chose the prompt, “Take a well-loved bedtime story and re-write yourself and/or an episode of your day into the story.”  The story I am choosing is “A Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle.  This is one of Little Miss’ favourite reads as it has lots of animals and lots of repetition.  I highly recommend Eric Carle who many of you may know from “A Very Hungry Caterpillar”.  “A Very Busy Spider” is about a lone spider who is determined to spin her web despite repeated distractions from farmyard animals.  In the end she creates a gorgeous spider web.  Here is my attempt at the Sleep is for the Weak Wednesday Writing Workshop:

Eric Carle's "A Very Busy Spider

“A Very Busy Mummy” by Karin Joyce

Early one morning a rattle and whacka-whacka drove Mummy out from under the warm covers.  A yawn trailed behind her as she entered Little Miss’ bedroom.  Little Miss landed back in bed with Mummy and Daddy for a few more minutes rest…

…but rest was not what Little Miss had in mind.

“Bottle Bottle” said Little Miss.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and got the bottle ready, forgetting about her tea.

“Drink Drink” said Little Miss later that morning.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and got Little Miss some water, forgetting about her toast.

“Um Um” shouted Little Miss a short while later.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and made Eggy Bread and sliced up some fruit for Little Miss, forgetting about her laptop.

“Sit Down” pointed Little Miss after the breakfast dishes were cleared away.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and sat down to bang on the hammering pegs with Little Miss, forgetting her Tweeting.

“Booka” exclaimed Little Miss when Mummy attempted to type.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and curled up with Little Miss on the sofa to read 72 books, forgetting her bath and that she was still in her pajamas.

“Num Num” cried Little Miss as Mummy finished putting the books away.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and scurried off to the kitchen to make Little Miss something “nummy” to eat, forgetting her tea again.

“Poo Mummy” whinged Little Miss after Mummy had wiped her face and put her down from her highchair.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and grabbed the nappies and wipes, forgetting that she needed a wee herself.

“Waaaaaa” howled Little Miss as she bashed into the corner of the desk for the hundredth time.

Mummy said “Just a minute my love” and ran for the arnica and cuddled Little Miss, forgetting that she’d missed her lunch.

“Snuffle, zzzzzz” sighed Little Miss as she snuggled into Mummy in her room for her afternoon nap.

Mummy said “I love you Little Miss” forgetting that there were a million things to do around the house, closed her eyes, breathed in the scent of her sleeping baby and sighed.

It had been a very, very good day.

Let me know what you think?  Would you like to take up the challenge?  Visit Josie’s Sleep is for the Weak to participate and read some other brilliant submissions.